Vanessa,(posted 7634 days ago)If nobody acknowledged the debt or made a part payment and there was no MJO, and 12 years have passed since the 2nd or 3rd default on your mortgage payments (subject to the terms & conditions of your mortgage) then this alleged shortfall will be statute barred. However, an ex may acknowledge a debt (for both parties) by making a part payment, although there could be, I think, a data protection issue here. I think that the best thing in your case would be (if what I said before applies) to write to the lender stating that this alleged debt is now statute barred and see what they come up with. Make sure you still make clear in all your correspondence that you dispute their claim and deny responsibility. Furthermore, you say that Abbey National informed your husband about the alleged shortfall 8 years after sale. The CML 6 year voluntary code could apply here too, take a look at their web page entitled "Debt Following Mortgage Possession" on:
http://www.cml.org.uk/servlet/dycon/zt- cml/cml/live/en/cml/pub_info_dept
Please remember I am not a professional advisor so please check this out with one.
Let us know how you get on, and Good Luck.
Mark.