Me and my now ex were basically were engaged and living together happily when we agreed to do an conversion on the attic and transform it into 1 Master bedroom and a shower-room ( I was in early pregnancy when this happened).

As he’s a joiner running his own business he thought we could do it much cheaper (approx 12K) than architect quoted us a guesstimate of around 25K.

I basically took out a second mortgage for £12K in my name (both mortgages are in my name only) and some more funds from credit cards and we started the process of doing the conversion. Around a year and a half later, and the conversion was almost complete and we had been having arguments for day and he decided that he wanted out relationship but stated angrily that he needed money that he could put into a house as the conversion was an investment for our future. So wanted me to go as guarantor for another property or mortgage or give him cash for work on conversion. I tried to explain to him that I couldn’t be a guarantor as I’m not technically a relative and besides due to having had our baby my own income had gone down to part time wages (though I always paid bills and mortgages out of my account, sometimes by the skin of my teeth). So no-one probably would let me be guarantor on another property even if I had wanted to.. I wasn’t getting any income from him while he was staying there at this particular point except for his working tax credit which would come through as part of the joint claim. Well he basically blew up at me and started to smash the new converted room up and pulled shelves he’d built off wall and put big holes into plasterboard walls ( I point out he had had a drink)!! Needless to say police were called and he was charged with breach of the peace and we separated.

He adjusted money that was given to me to £40 a week maintenance money for our daughter, and eventually after quite some time (6 months later) it became amicable again between us after discussing his drinking issues and he started to repair the damage he had done to house. We (stupidly) got back together again for a few months and and again discussed getting married as this would have us all settled as a family and I was looking at costs of a marriage.
He never adjusted any money he gave to me he just kept it at the £40 a week.

About a couple of weeks ago, he for some unknown reason pulled another stupid stunt with drugs and got lifted by police for drug driving (sustance still to be confirmed by blood tests) and was off his head for a few days on whatever it was that he took,

I naturally saw red as we have a little girl who is now 2 and she has got to come first so I have thrown him out. Anyway conversion is almost complete but not quite (I think a few little things need finished off to get completion certificate for it, but that is another matter I think for me to now deal with).

Problem I have is, he is now trying to tell me and I guess bully me into (I guess as he did at first bust up) giving him money for doing the conversion or half the house on paper to which apparantly I can get then stay in the house, as he’ll then be able to get colateral and get his own place and he’ll even clear the credit card debts!! (what a hero!…LOTFL). I have naturally said get stuffed you ain’t getting your name on the mortgage(s) or other option is he’ll take me to court for the money. I asked him how much is he expecting from me in cash and I finally got an answer the other evening…..£36K!!

Question I have is can he legally challenge me in court to get any money back and if so, how much is he likely to be entitled to? as I am concerned that as he is a self employed joiner who I trusted as my partner at the time to get the conversion done, will have the receipts for the materials and probably make up new ones for man hours for people he brought in to help with job. and try and make a case for a lot of money.

I don’t have any spare cash and am up to my eyes in debt because of this work. All income goes on paying bills and” keeping the wolves from the door” but because I am currently working I don’t believe I am entitled to legal aid but can’t afford a lawyer. What do I do?