Good legal help is a PRECAUTION, so you know your rights and options in your state, and so that you can make sure you're protecting yourself and doing the things you SHOULD be doing, and avoiding the things you SHOULDN'T.
No one says you have to -- or even should -- file for divorce.
But your situation contains some very specific custody issues, and you may need to assert those rights (she's your daughter, but only WW's step-daughter) or at least have the credible THREAT of being able to assert them.
P, I'm getting concerned that you seem to want to drop your ball and run home at the least sign of resistance or bad news coming from your wife's camp. DBing is not complicated, but it IS hard work, and it requires a LOT of patience, and a LOT of self-discipline.
Frankly, I'm seeing neither from you, and I'm going to go out on a limb here and wonder if maybe these are some traits that your wife has had complaints about in your marriage, as well?
