My solicitor has filed a petition to divorce my ex based on unreasonable behaviour. He emotionally abused me throughout my pregnancy and his behaviour has only gotten worse, despite the fact that we haven’t been living together for a few years now. The petition explains this, which he is not happy about.
My ex is now threatening to contest the petition unless I agree to divorce on two years’ separation. I know what is coming next, he will claim that we were only married for a short while as some years ago, we both moved out of a property we were renting together with the intention of buying a place closer to my family. I moved into my parents’ house with our daughter while we continued to act as a family, going on holidays etc together, until I realised that the abuse was never going to stop. He has offered to pay some of my fees if I agree to the two years’ separation, however, I am convinced that this is part of a ploy to ensure that I get less of a settlement later down the line, as he will claim that the marriage was very short indeed.
My question is, if I agree to what he wants, am I going to be penalised financially later down the line as it is essentially agreeing to his claim that the marriage was much shorter? I am unsure as to whether he will proceed with his threat to contest otherwise, as he is an extremely controlling and manipulative man who wants to protect his image at all costs. He also owns many assets so has the funds and the time to devote to contesting this. I personally feel that he has intimidated and bullied me for so long, that if I agree to what he wants, I am essentially allowing the bullying to proceed. On the other hand, my solicitor has said that this would possibly work out cheaper and easier for me, but what about in the long term? Has anyone has experience of this that they could share please?