STBXH demanding spousal maintenance

[Moanranger]

We were married 24 years. We have split property but now arguing over value of my business (of which he is 50%shareholder for tax reasons). DC are 19 & 21.
He is 60, has an Oxbridge degree and an MBA from the London Business School. He is also a CORGI certified plumber. Nonetheless he is claiming he is an old man incapable of supporting himself & that I (actually older than him) should provide him with spousal maintenance. Books for his current business show almost no profit , but that is because he is not good at getting work (lazy?)
He is not being remotely reasonable & it may well end up in front of a judge. Anyone have a view as to how a judge would react? Would a forensic accountant help. I do have a solicitor but she is on sick leave at the moment.

Depends on what you earn & what he needs in order to live his life near to his previous standard of living.

Pensions would also really come into this. Although a lot younger than you I ran the risk of getting hit for spousal maintenance and made a calculate decision to give away a bit more equity so as I didn't need to go down that route.

I managed to speak to my lawyer about this yesterday. There is a lot of mis-information around. According to her, spousal maintenance is meant for SAH spouse who never had or gave up a career to care for children/family. In our case, where we both worked, had qualifications, contributed to household income, it would be unlikely.
The court strongly prefers a clean break, so I would hope we can make our case accordingly, but STBXH is being such a dick that time & money will be wasted getting there.