Hi Mel,(posted 7446 days ago)I know exactly what your friend is going through as I went through a similar situation with my ex-husband who left me.
Firstly let me stress that her ex cannot make her sell the property as she has a young child. Secondly when I went through it I used the tactic of - if I get repossessed and you are on the mortgage and deeds (which even though he has not contributed for 2 years he is liable for) - then you will be in financial difficulty as will I.
Has she applied to the CSA yet. If not tell her to do it. This does take about 6 months to do but can help considerably as they do take mortgage payments (although not the mortgage directly) into consideration, so her ex will have to contribute towards this as he is still on it.
She needs to see a decent solicitor. If you are anywhere near the Kent area then reply using this site and I will give you the name of mine who was excellent.
Hopefully she is also claiming single person's council tax and children's tax credit if she is working. If not she will be entitled to quite a number of benefits.
If she can hold on, she will, more than likely come out the other side with the house intact - I did in the end, I had to pay my ex off but it was not as much as I had anticipated. I also got a clean break order as I knew he would return where house prices to rise.
She can also stress the point that he is as stuck as she is and she has no intention of selling the property - tough luck mate the ball's in your court!