It's very typical negotiation tactics. They start very high and continue to haggle until you are satisfied or you have spent all of you money.

I would take what has been offered up, pare it down to what you think is reasonable and go from there. I did this and when I completed the fine tuning, I stated that what I put forth was non-negotiable and that was it.

This is a business deal and you will need to leave your feelings and your heart at the door. You are now dealing with what you and your family will need to survive. The MLCer will go for the gold, but there's one thing in your favor...you are the sane one here and trust me....his lawyer knows he's out to lunch. They see and hear this every day. They know just how much they can bleed from them. So, set the pace for what you would like and do not continue the negotiating until you are broke.

Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to.
The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.