My ex-husband and I divorced in November 2012, after separating in August 2010. I have continued to live in the marital home that we own jointly and he moved in to his mother's house (rent free). We never sorted out financial or property matters at the time of our divorce for various reasons and haven't really spoken until recently. My ex-husband is saying he wants nothing out of the house and wants me to sell it and buy a house for myself outright with the equity. Will any capital gains tax (CGT) be due when the house is sold even if he is not making any money from the sale? If so, is there any way to avoid paying CGT?

You will not have to pay CGT because any gain attributable to your half of the house will be covered by principal private residence (PPR) relief. However your husband will only be exempt from CGT on his half of the house, due to PPR, up until August 2010, plus the last 18 months of ownership. So if the house is sold in October 2014, the last 18 months begins in April 2013, and the gain attributable to the period August 2010 until April 2013 will create a tax liability for your husband on his half of the house. See www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/cgmanual/CG65356.htm that if your ex-husband transfers his half of the house to you as part of the financial settlement, and he makes no election for another property to be his PPR, then possibly he can qualify for relief from this CGT liability.