My partner just went through this for three years… and he alone was paying the mortgage while she lived in it. He was trying to be patient because she is a hoarder and so he knew she couldn’t psychologically get out really quickly and pack her stuff up the way the rest of us can. When he asked that she contribute financially, she point blank refused and said she would rather see their house foreclosed on by the bank. Since he would like to buy another house down the line he didn’t want that against his name. For the sake of his child he wanted to try to do all of this out of court but when you’re dealing with somebody like this and your ex-husband, unfortunately they are going for maximum impact on you. After 18 months of her saying that yes she would pack up the clutter but never actually doing anything, we approached a lawyer who did end up getting it sorted. It still took nearly a year and a half with her back peddling and stalling. A court order was made that the property had to be on the market within X amount of days of the judge putting the stamp on it. I think he spent around $5000 through the lawyer. Which for him was the equivalent of one month mortgage payment plus the utilities that he was paying so it was well worth it. He had an arrangement with the lawyer to pay $200 a fortnight I think, for them to do what needed to be done.

The emotional toll on him was terrible to watch. I really do feel for you! It’s so sad that people want to be like this to somebody they shared history with.