The relatives of a woman who separated from her husband last year are forcing her to divorce him.

However, she says she is not ready to file for a divorce and is more interested in getting her share in the matrimonial property.

She is interested in buying another house, but she said it would be easier if she gets her share in the property which she and her husband bought in 2001. "My relatives are telling me that it is easier to have the property divided if I divorce my husband," she explained.

"Right now, I am not interested in divorcing him and, if he wants, he can go ahead and divorce me. I am only interested in getting the three-bedroom house we had bought in St Catherine sold so I can get my money to pay down on another house.

"My relatives are very upset with me because I do not plan to go through a divorce right now. I want to move on with my life, but, once we sell the house or he pays me for my half of it, I know I will be very happy.

"I know why my relatives want me to divorce him, because they fear that we might get back together if I do not divorce him. I moved out of the house last year and almost every week he comes to my parents' house asking me to come back to him. He calls me daily, but I am not interested in him anymore.

"My husband was very abusive to me, not physically, but verbally abusive. He told me very unpleasant things and I am now of the view that he does not have respect for women. He is even abusive to some of his female relatives," she said.

She explained further that, one day after he told her some very unpleasant things, she moved out of the house while he was at work. She said she knew she did the right thing because no man should treat a woman in a disrespectful manner.

"I feel much happier since I have separated from my husband. I have no intention of going back to him and I just want my relatives to understand that. All I am interested in now is getting my share in the matrimonial home. One of my relatives said she asked a friend who told her that I would have to be divorced before the house could be sold. Is this really true?"

A property can be divided before or after the divorce. You should tell your husband of your intention to get your share in the property. If he is not interested in buying your share, then you should consult a lawyer to assist you with the division of the property.