Hi Lily, so sorry this has happened to you. I too am in the UK and got some excellent legal advice. From what I understand, it seems that a divorce would be much kinder to you in this respect - meaning that a judge would take into account a disparity in wages (in your favour), a cut of your H's pension (if he has one), and indeed your reduced ability to get a mortgage. A judge will dispassionately looks at both your financial statements and if s/he sees big disparities, and (if it's a long marriage), will award in favour of the financially disadvantaged. My understanding of this is that payment to the lesser earning spouse can be taken against equity in the house. It is also my understanding that, in a long marriage, all assets are deemed 'marital' assets. I paid much more into the mortgage than my H (I am the bigger earner), but according to my solicitor, this didn't count for anything. Now, I don't have children, but I would imagine that this would be even more favourable. Sorry to bring up the D word, but I hope it is empowering for you to at least know you have this option. Most UK divorces are 'no fault' and can be done in 6 months, and there is no 'cooling off' - i.e. can start straightaway. It's odd to me that your solicitors differed so much from what mine said. I paid for a consultation, but it was worth it.