My daughter amicably separated from her partner a couple of months ago. They intended to remain friends. They worked out a way of co parenting; he set a maintenance sum to help her manage financially ( she's disabled, freelance, unpredictable earnings that wouldn't pay the mortgage). DGD after the shock of her beloved parents splitting up was getting used to staying with either, and her dad was renting nearby. So far so good.
I'll have to leave out a chunk here because it's too painful to discuss but the outcome led to DDs ex taking his own life suddenly last week. We are all devastated and grieving and DGD is above all. She was close to her Dad and he was devoted to her.
If the grief, loss and pain weren't enough - we all liked him a great deal and miss him terribly - it appears he has debts and has left nothing in his will for DD or DGD. He'd cancelled a life insurance policy to save money a few weeks prior to his death.
Because DD has savings she's not entitled to any benefits and she doesn't want to rely on state support anyway ( at present this isn't realistic because apart from our help there's very little money and a lot of outgoings). We will pay off her mortgage ( the house is tiny, modest, unsuitable for a disabled person TBH) but it's not going to be possible to find somewhere more suitable to live with the proceeds. She has mental health problems, mostly under control, is an excellent and loving parent and we're so proud of her, but this is a terrible life blow to both of them in every way.
We're aghast that there seems to be little or no financial support even for her child who is nearly 12. The welfare state is stacked against the most vulnerable as always. Where are these people living in luxury on benefits? I'd love to know their secret because were it not for us, our daughter and granddaughter would be destitute.
