Mediation?

It worked for me - but then there wasn't that much we disagreed on. Our mediator was really good, she really helped me understand what the difference was between what I needed and what I wanted and what was fair. I felt that I needed someone objective to act between us. I think it was worth every penny.

Mediation can work if you are both determined to be amicable with each other. I have helped many clients work out financial settlements and avoid solicitors and expensive litigation. A lot of people are choosing to go down this route now.

You both have to have the right mindset and come to mediation with the view of avoiding court.

Remember it is not a game of win and lose - there has to be an element of compromise

Yep. Or get legal advice once all the disclosure bit is done.

As a solicitor, I would say mediation's success rate is disappointingly low, but it does work sometimes.

Do get legal advice though. Mediation in my view is more likely to succeed if the parties have some idea of what a court might do.

Good luck. Mediation is much faster, cheaper, and less hard on your relationship if you can make it work.