She wants the house, leaving me with no cash from the equity...
Hell no! ex and I also used mediation BUT each of us had some lawyer advice, you dont' need to retain a lawyer to get some good councel. My county had a program were the bar had a reference list of lawyers and I got a one time consult for $50 or so. So, before the mediation I went to the lawyers with all my figures/paperwork and we looked at what was best and what was reasonable i could get, where there was room for give and take.
In the end I got a much better settlement than I had originally thought of, I was SO glad I went to see the lawyer. Because we both made about the same he didn't have to pay me alimony and i left his retirement alone since he just joined the police force and there wasnt' much there. I bought him out of the house, he walked away with a good amount of cash and the house is mine. The L told me "after a mediation no one really gets all they want and feel they got screwed somehow". After the second draft and BEFORE i signed anything I went back to that same L, paid for one hour and had her review the paperwork, and that was that.
Your stbxW started this mess and I dont' see one darn reason why you have to give up the house, that's just totally ridiculous! don't give in, get an initial consultation NOW before you go to mediation.
Be not afraid...I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten Joel2
30something 2kids survivor of S, MLC, A, D I have peace in my heart, at last.
