Spouse delaying divorce process and not engaging with me

[CheekyBrickCat]

Hi.
I applied for online divorce in January this year, we have been seperated for a few years but living in same house.
We have 3 teenage children, only 1 under 18.
He has not engaged with any of the divorce process ,so I had to apply to get divorce accepted as deemed service as i know he received email.
Applied for conditional order but really want to avoid court if possible.
He has now been sent a letter by my solicitor to agree to a consent order and submit financial information. No response again and after many months not even had any legal advice and still not discussed anything with me despite living in same house.
Also I wanted to tell the kids/young adults the situation but this keeps being delayed by him with different reasons .I feel i need to be honest with them as they are older and they can see i am really stressed and not happy. 2 kids have additional needs which is why I have not told them until now to protect them.
I think I will have to explain the situation on my own if this goes on ,which is part of my reasons of divorce. I have really felt like a single parent for years but did not want to split the family up when they were younger. I do not have any family to rely on for support.
Very stressed and depressed.
Any advice appreciated.

The teen that doesn’t have additional needs - living at home?

Op, it’s frustrating but you can’t force it.

who will live in the family house? Or do you intend to split and halve? Or is it a rental?

It sounds to me like your only option is to go down the court route that way he’s forced to disclose re finances by courts as they set a schedule. Be aware you have to have tried mediation prior to taking it to court unless except due to dv etc

Costs increase exponentially with court

is this a high asset marriage op? Both work?

Hi.yes will have to go to court as have assets and want to stay in family home as main parent. Do not expect to get any financial agreement amicably.
Mediation request was ignored also.I have a miam and applied for a conditional order.
Me wanting to keep my family life stable and not in constant conflict has backfired . I have started divorce but after 6 months h does not want to ever discuss future,or to move out, and will drag it out until a financial order is agreed by judge.
Also refuses to talk to kids with me about being seperated.
This delaying tactic has been used for a long time and emotional blackmail on me to stop me filing fir divorce until now .
My issue is now have to tell kids as the home situation is much more stressful Been trying to maintain a appearance of a happy marriage when it is not.
I grew up in a Dv home in 70s so was really careful not to expose my own kids to the many problems in marriage.

Thank you for all advice!

Is it realistic to keep the fmh? Can you afford to buy his share out ?

Sounds so frustrating op! I can relate somewhat as stbeh is also not responding etc.
I think you’re doing the right thing. I hope it doesn’t get to court but it might do if he’s not engaging. Can you talk to his family to speak sense to him?
Going to end up costing you both more but you can’t live in limbo.
Id tell him a day and time when you’re telling the kids. If he doesn’t show up do it anyway,

You need to sit down with your children, preferably with your ex but if you don’t think he will control himself, then not him present.

And explain what’s going on (censored version)
because they must be wondering what the hell is going on. The tension in the family home must be almost unbearable.