It doesn't feel like a fairytale anymore...

[fthnluv]

Had a good conversation with H this afternoon. He is willing to negotiate the terms of the "settlement" offer he gave me and is considering disclosure. I think he has some money saved that he fears I will want part of but I am reasonable and I know he has not yet paid his income taxes and he will need about $50k for that, I won't ask for 1/2 of that, I know he will need it. He says his 1099's for 2014 will be about $300k but after his business expenses (he has subcontractors he has paid from it) it will be about $180k.

He is open to negotiation about length of spousal support and the other few things that concern me. He says he is reluctant to show me bank statements because he knows that some of what I see will hurt me (likely $ spent on OW and trips and such) but he also fears that I could use it against him in court to try to hurt him (or OW). I told him that I will not do that, from what I can tell his offer is very reasonable and just needs a few tweaks but that he will have to show me his bank statements if I request them through my attorney anyway so it's not going to hurt him any more to give them to me for review. He is considering all of that. Not sure what I'm going to do if he will not. I guess I'll have to weigh all that out.

All in all, I had a much better day and I am hopeful that we can work this financial stuff out without nastiness or excessive lawyer fees. I guess time will tell...