Northern Ireland Divorce Advice

[fortygin]

just looking for some quick advice please.
married 20 years, together 30 years. 4 dc (all early to late teens).
Ex-h has affair and I asked him to leave 7 years ago.
i have lived in marital home and been paying mortgage and all bill since then.
He has 2 younger dc 3 nights/week and eldest 2 stay once per week (their choice).
He had never paid maintenance but does pay half of 1 dc’s school fees (£7 pcm).
He refused to agree to 2 year no fault divorce.
I have now filed, via my solicitor for a 5 year, no fault divorce. I did speak to ex last year and advise him I would be filing in the first half of this year.
We had a decent enough relationship but since receiving the petition two weeks ago, he has refused to speak to me re the children and blanks me at exchanges.
i was wondering what happens if he doesn’t acknowledge the petition and what happens next?!
Im eager to keep things amicable as he has a bit of a temper and ‘emotionally punishes’ me for perceived wrongdoings.
Im persuing the divorce as I am now 47 and need to secure housing etc for my future. (His mum bought a house that he is now ‘renting’)
thanks in advance

[fortygin]

Bump. Just in case anyone is about 🤞🏻