Should I pay?

My wife and I recently separated and given her financial status, she cannot pay her minimum monthly amounts and all her other bills on her salary. I did not have any part in these debts as she brought them into the relationship. She has two children, one who is 20 and at university, one who is 11 and at school from a previous marriage who pays no monthly maintenance towards his children. Given all this and the potential for her to default on her debts I have agreed to assist her and pay her debts off and then when she sells her home in a few years time she will repay me back. I have been advised by a lawyer to seek a court order to ensure that I don't lose my money. My issue is shpould I step in and help her in teh way I am or shall I tell her that I've changed my mind as she has made no attempt to pay extra money towards her debts and continues smoking 20 cigarettes a day at UK £7.00 a packet; and let her sort out her finances and I just as hard as it already is and cut ties and move on?

in my opinion u shouldn't put tht burden upon urself if she is taking u for granted cause she is depending on u to pay her bills and u guys r not together I had tht issue wit my ex she wanted for me to pay her car insurance cause wasn't really gettin money but yet every weekend she was buyin liquor but yet complaining I don't have gas money so I stopped it she needs to get her priorities straight since u feel so strongly bout helpin her make sure she makes tht happen first cause thn u help her if she sells the house thn she wouldnt appreciate wht u did and not pay u the full amount back if any at all due to the fact if she can't manage her money to whts important imagine whn u pay all of it off and she doesn't have to worry bout it sometimes even if u go to court they make her pay in a time frame yeah but wht if she spends the money ur assed out don't do it and if u do make it minimal so u won't lose out in the long run

Looks like you are a money minded asshole. If you are thinking just money, you shoild have married money instead of a lady with debt. She will be better off without you i think. She will know what her capability is. So in my opinion u should separate and secure all yout money to take it with you in your grave.

Handyman, thankyou for your reply, its appreciated. Feuk, thanks for your reply, however please be such a decent chap and do us all a favour and put your mouth to bed and put your face up your fanny!