Oh my @Faith-and-Hope you have a stomach of steel, the repulsion switch in my brain has no difficulty finding gear these days, and I couldn't cope seeing him. Keeps me safe, its doing its job, being turned off can be a good thing.
I think the roof is about to fly off over here!
Constancy, a hearth, and a sense of belonging and stable housing are one of the cornerstones of mental health, and not to be under estimated. If I am well enough one day I would love to advocate for stable housing and changes to tax policies that inhibit people being able to secure stable housing. Its a mental health issue and not just about economics, but the wealthiest have fenced so many people out with all the investment properties that they own, and tax breaks for SMSF's. I can understand you not wanting to lose the house, we didn't have much in our lives that wasn't chaotic but when our grandparents house was sold that they had lived in for 60 years it was like another death on its own. But new beginnings aren't always a bad thing - they can take a while to feel right, but you get there eventually.
Surly a lawyer/family court judge will be able to see that it isn't simply about an asset, but is a health issue. Your ex-husband should WANT to provide as little disruption as possible to his children's lives considering they are dealing with anxiety and depression, but he will not want you to get something he doesn't get.
There's really no way in knowing how it will play out. Pretty sure the courts make you do mediation now prior to anything actually going to court and hope that both parties will settle.
Your ex has a lot of time on his hands now he's sold the business so he will give the divorce his full attention, and it will be exhausting. But there was a lot of conviction behind the separation from day 1 on your part, you were pretty certain it was over, so you have still got your self respect in tact which I think is awesome. A lot of people stay together for children or financial reasons or out of fear of being alone, their marriage has been more of a companionship for many years with no intimacy, and they don't mind if it continues that way because passion feels like something for the young - but you don't come across as someone that could live like that. He treats you with contempt, and isn't the slightest bit invested in your feelings, needs or well being. Maybe he isn't capable of it.
You can feel more lonely in a relationship, than if you were single and living alone - I know that's how I would feel in a situation like that. I can't live with someone that feels no passion for me on any level. Maybe if they were really passionate about their sport, hobbies, art or work and it didn't bother them they're not passionate about their partner & the relationship, but it would really bother me. I guess we are all different. But your ex will never be alone, if it doesn't work out with the current women he will find another. And that inability to be alone is a big red flag to me. You can see it pretty easily in people once you know what to look for. Narc-needy has my sibs and I running for the hills. The slightest wiff and we come out in a hideous rash similar to Sco-Mo. True story Faith-ster.
When does your course start back?
