If you made your W an offer to settle and she declined the offer then you should not be responsible for any further legal fees. Did the court deny you the petition for legal fees? If so, why?
Unfortunately at our ages the courts are usually not concerned with the hardships of retirement as we are young enough to work for some time to come. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with that but in my own case that is what we were told.
I don't find the 10K that absurd (well, to you it is because it is your money but in general that sounds about right to me based on my own experience) but I do find it absurd that your attny has not provided you with a VERY clear strategic outline with alternative plans.
I might consider asking what exactly litigation will entail. The trial will last one day and all the prep work (discovery and such) has been done according to the info you posted. Since you no longer will be negotiating there should be no further communication between the attnys. Basically they are telling you 10K for one day of work (minus a few minor expenses here and there).
