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Husband I think is looking for divorce after 50 years.

(51 Posts)
welshmist Tue 21-Jul-26 14:25:56

I'm really worried now. He's being very devious. He's buying the diet jabs secretly to lose weight. I accidentally saw the bruises on his stomach.

His mood swings have been scary lately. I'm called stupid etc, despite me doing all the financial side of things. He's quite a bit older than me. But I have needed two new hips so have been somewhat disabled for a while, which he said he didn't sign up for. He's been so nasty. Last night he shouted in an unguarded moment that he was getting organised to go. I think he means when he's slim again he'll be irritable to younger healthier women.

He's 5'4". 75 years old. Awfully wrinkled, tight as a ducks arse financially, counts every penny. He's also wealthy. My late mum said once, he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Should I just stay quiet until he thinks he's lost enough weight to be irresistible, let him go and sort out the finances amicably. I'm sorely tempted just to be done with his mood swings.

I've a feeling some lady on his walks has been batting her eyelashes at him.

HelterSkelter1 Tue 21-Jul-26 20:29:35

Print off every financial statement and see a solicitor tomorrow.

If you are younger than him, plan to enjoy the rest of your life.

MollyNew Tue 21-Jul-26 20:29:27

Most solicitors will offer a free initial consultation so you could get some advice. Also, you could seek relationship counselling on your own which can be very helpful to put your thoughts and feelings in order. Knowledge is power - seek professional, impartial advice.

fancythat Tue 21-Jul-26 20:20:06

Gwyllt

A word. Just remember a narc will accuse you of their own faults !!!! and more Depends how self aware he is

Just what I had been thinking.

But I would have thought, after 50 years of marriage, that a wife would know if her DH was a narc by now.

mrsgreenfingers56 Tue 21-Jul-26 17:35:58

Poppyred - When I went through a divorce the solicitor said I wasn't legally allowed to change the locks as martial home was jointly owned.

MT62 Tue 21-Jul-26 17:26:45

Visgir1

"So explain to me how he thinks he can still reel in a younger wealthy woman?"... It's could all in his head.
It might just be a nice lady who has a chat with him, to be friendly.
So people get odd fixations.

Likely to be this, or gold digger!

Gwyllt Tue 21-Jul-26 17:21:11

A word. Just remember a narc will accuse you of their own faults !!!! and more Depends how self aware he is

Visgir1 Tue 21-Jul-26 17:20:41

"So explain to me how he thinks he can still reel in a younger wealthy woman?"... It's could all in his head.
It might just be a nice lady who has a chat with him, to be friendly.
So people get odd fixations.

MT62 Tue 21-Jul-26 17:15:17

Hope you have an ‘out of town account’!

butterandjam Tue 21-Jul-26 17:13:54

welshmist

Silvershadow

Why not sell the bungalow and start again. Take legal advice. If he’s prone to violence, move out surely.

I don't want to move. He could buy a property at twice the value tomorrow. I have good neighbours, two of my children and five grandchildren are nearby.

In that case, negotiate (or have a lawyer do it on your behalf) that you keep the bungalow and he moves elsewhere.

It sounds as if that might suit both of you. If he's been "researching" divorce then he already knows he's going to have to come to some financial agreement.

You are in an advantageous position that you handle all the money so you can work out what settlement you need to cover solo bills and lifestyle post divorce.

If it's possible he's developing dementia, your choices are, get out while he still has mental capacity to make and sign legal and financial decisions.

Or stay in a situation that is only going to get far worse.

Grandmafrench Tue 21-Jul-26 16:56:58

Wow! Time now to tell your story to a matrimonial lawyer, get proper legal advice and take action to protect yourself for the future. Don’t waste any more time on him, you need to look to that future.

And, look on the bright side : you have all the details, especially all the important financial ones. It doesn’t matter how he sneers, puts you down, rants or brags - and you shouldn’t care if he’s showing ‘early signs’ of anything or you feel he should seek medical advice. Forget all that, just get advice and focus on organising a way out of your stressful and unpleasant life. You’ve worked at building a good life for both of you. There’s no reason why you should now do anything, accept things, or move anywhere that you don’t want.

At least half of the monies amassed in this long marriage is your entitlement, so go and get help and advice. Don’t let him and this latest bad behaviour wear you down.

Never give up…..it’s your time now. Good luck.

crazyH Tue 21-Jul-26 16:55:35

Thankyou Plevey and Fallingstar

Wyllow3 Tue 21-Jul-26 16:54:43

Notagranny44

Is the bungalow in joint names?
After a marriage of that length you would be entitled to 50% of everything if he decides he wants to divorce. What someone said previously about dementia is also something to consider.
As you have been doing the financials I expect that you know where the money is, so at least, if either of you decides to divorce, you will know what's what.
So sorry he is being so nasty to you. I wish you all the best and from my own experience I know that divorce is far, far better than an unhappy marriage. smile

Absolutely. Yes it's hard alone at times but my goodness better, better, than him in your head and your life.

Have a long chat with a good family solicitor privately asap.

Know what your rights and entitlements are. Legally and financially. Talk to her if you suspect squirrelled away money.

Under the current "no blame" divorce laws either of you can initiate it.

Fallingstar Tue 21-Jul-26 16:46:51

Well done CrazyH 👏🏽👏🏽

Plevey08 Tue 21-Jul-26 16:28:14

CrazyH, good for you. You've come away with financially what you deserved and you now have your autonomy, choices and self respect after living with a philanderer. He may well get his just deserves, things can turn round and bite you on the bum 😜

David49 Tue 21-Jul-26 16:19:50

Notagranny44

"So explain to me how he thinks he can still reel in a younger wealthy woman?

How desperate are some women?"

He's probably delusional!

You would be really surprised how determined some women are to find a partner, whether there is a financial incentive or not.
A recently widowed friend of mine 78 has been "adopted" by a lady, despite him being very "hard to get", she is actually very nice, financially well off and would suit him well. Nevertheless he is being quite difficult

It takes all kinds

Poppyred Tue 21-Jul-26 16:17:23

Why not consult a solicitor and change the locks when he’s out. Enoughs enough!

Fallingstar Tue 21-Jul-26 16:16:25

*kind of torment

Fallingstar Tue 21-Jul-26 16:16:02

This just sounds dreadful. Get good financial advice and a good solicitor and get out of this marriage. Life is too short to put up with this kind torment.
All the best 💐

Casdon Tue 21-Jul-26 16:11:57

I think it doesn’t matter what you know about the finances, because it would be your word against his in a divorce settlement, so you will still need copies to prove it. Don’t let the bungalow hold you back from divorce, the chances are that you won’t love it any more after that, and he will know where you live, in an isolated property where he can still hassle you. In my opinion it would be better to start afresh somewhere else far removed from the memories of a violent marriage, surely?

Notagranny44 Tue 21-Jul-26 16:03:27

"So explain to me how he thinks he can still reel in a younger wealthy woman?

How desperate are some women?"

He's probably delusional!

Maremia Tue 21-Jul-26 15:41:51

Could your children help you through this?

welshmist Tue 21-Jul-26 15:37:27

HeavenLeigh

Sounds like to me early signs of dementia mood swings memory loss on a conversation you say his memory is shocking now he has to keep checking the phone calendar and dosent remember from yesterday. He needs to go to get checked out at drs . He sounds as if he’s not very happy man. The more I read it’s a possibility

So explain to me how he thinks he can still reel in a younger wealthy woman?

How desperate are some women?

crazyH Tue 21-Jul-26 15:36:46

There’s nothing worse than living with someone, who you know doesn’t love you. We lived a lie for years, for the sake of our children, for the sake of our families, for the sake of our social standing
In the end it was too much for him, more than me. He left, we divorced . He married his lover. I stayed single. Like you, I took care of the practice/ the finances and knew where every penny was. The proceedings were far from amicable, but in the end, I had a fairly good settlement. I deserved it, for putting up with a chronic philanderer.
welshmint - we were much younger than you both are. So don’t waste time. So get your act together, sort your finances and leave.

Plevey08 Tue 21-Jul-26 15:29:27

From your account of your marriage he has been abusive and aggressive throughout. He may or may not have dementia, you can only advise him to speak to his GP. Of course we sign up to try our best to care and support our partners especially when health problems come along. But he hasn't been kind or supportive to you with your health problems or throughout your marriage. You shouldn't be living in fear of him. I personally would hope to have the courage to leave him and go straight to a solicitor. Even if temporarily you have to move out of the bungalow. Keep all the financial papers to show a solicitor and seek their advice.

Smileless2012 Tue 21-Jul-26 15:27:49

Visgirl 50/50 split is the starting point when a marriage breaks up, the OP could get more or less.

It does make sense to do seek legal advice now so you'll have some idea of what your position would be if the marriage ends welshmist.