We've been married for 14 years, separated for the past 4 ,as STBXH left just after the first lockdown in 2020. I was happy that he left due to lack of intimacy, unkindness, physical and verbal abuse of our autistic son etc. When he first left I wondered whether we should stay separated, but he insisted on divorce for a clean break. The divorce has not been finalised because we cannot agree on a financial settlement.
This year, he bought a house, cash and moved 2 hours drive away. He sees the dc (15 and 17) once a month but they don't really want to see him. So I have them 99% of the time, all holidays.
Our joint assets are 3m . The house I live in is worth about 1.2m and my lawyer says that given the mental load of being a lone parent (both kids have school avoidance, mh issues, autism) I am entitled to his half of the house and a lump sum of at least 500,000. STBXH disagrees. For context i work part time in a professional role, which pays well. He doesnt work and lives off a capital lump sum investment.
Should i insist we go to court and quit stalling? It'll cost me £20,000+ but would it be worthwhile?