Whether or not you have that "piece of paper," you can still get your heart broken, and ultimately that would be my biggest fear.
That's true, lael, and that would also be MY biggest fear. But on the other hand not only are you emotionally very down, but on top of it you have to deal with yet another divorce. If you don't have "the piece of paper", you can more or less just pack your bags and leave.
On another note: has anybody heard from happy_again (ex finally_free)?