About me
Author – Podcast Host – Advocate – Campaigner – Activist dio sed tret.
What price is inaction? When the UK legal profession and the Law Commission know there are gaps in the laws, and the situation between married and non-married couples is far from equitable.
Ann Loraine Marshall
My story is my qualification
Ann Loraine Marshall
I know what it is to be failed by the very systems that were supposed to protect you. I know the silence, the disbelief, the exhaustion of fighting institutions that were never designed with you in mind.
As an unmarried partner of 11 years I discovered the hard way that cohabitation offers almost no legal protection when a relationship ends. What followed was a masterclass in systemic failure — and the reason this book, this platform and this work exists.
“My lived experience isn’t just my story — it reveals what legislation ignores and what reform demands.”
Storyline
-
2009
Started a relationship. Thinking she had found a kind, caring, generous businessman. Loraine had her own independent business as a property manager in student and family rentals in Sunderland, which she started in 2005.
-
2014
Loraine moved away from Sunderland to live in the home of her partner. There were a number of situations that were ignored, as Loraine made excuses for the bad behaviour. Known as red flags.
-
2015
The search for the Spanish retirement home ended in June with the purchase of a four-bedroom villa in its own grounds with olive and citrus orchards.
-
2016
A difficult situation played out in the Spanish home in front of friends who were staying over in July at the time of the Brexit Referendum in the UK. Loraine wrote her first “Dear Diary” entry in her iPad. The words she wrote flowed out from behind the tears. One sentence stuck out years later: “It‘s like emotional abuse and bullying the way you talk to me”
-
2017
December and the day after Christmas Day will never be forgotten. He motioned for me to sit next to him on the sofa, saying, “I‘ve got something to tell you”. He started saying, “Do you remember when I used to talk about my Wednesday Girl?” I just laughed because I thought he was about to tell a joke.
It wasn’t a joke; it was a confession to my face. He was cheating. -
2018
In January, he would be returning to the UK as normal. Only things were not normal any more. Before he left, he sat me down to explain something. He was going to start to pay money into my UK business account every month.
That year was filled with panic attacks, and his verbal aggression and anger outbursts. This was the “Should I stay or should I go period.” -
2020
This was the year people everywhere were forced into changes due to COVID-19. We spent 7 months together, and it felt like I was finally regaining confidence and trust again. I even danced in the City Carnival. There was a removal van booked to bring furniture from the UK to Spain. In August he returned to Spain two days later on August 27th, he dropped his bombshell.
I now call this his 4-sentence DISCARD SPEECH! -
Today 2026
After five years of post-separation abuse, civil and criminal litigation. Many failed negotiations and mediation attempts. A signed financial agreement in 2021 that was never honoured, I finally get to start my life over.
I self-published my story under the pen name Loren Keeling in May 2022, just the month before I would be in a Civil Verbal hearing, where the public-appointed lawyer had told me. “The Judge will order your eviction”
Read more… When Four Months Turns Into Four Years.
Mission
To empower other survivors of domestic abuse, helping them to rebuild their lives and acheive financial independence.
Book launch, After The Discard – No Divorce Required. Opening a private subscription community to support women survivors who are moving through healing and rebuilding after abuse.From Trauma to Transformation.
Truth After Abuse – Together We Are Stronger.
€4,99 /Month – Cancel Anytime