WAS asked for divorce today.

[pilot]

If only I could know that she means what she says and won't try to take anything that's not hers.

DO NOT TAKE HER WORD! She is suing you. Her lawyer is out to get the absolute best he can for his/her client. You give her any ground they will take it and try for more. That is why settlement negotiations always start with absurd requests on both sides. Each side shoots for their best case scenario. Please protect yourself. Yes it is expensive and no one here wants to spend money on an attorney when we all have many better things we would rather spend it on. But a little money now can save you a fortune in the future. She filed using an attorney. You MUST have your own attorney reply.

Understand this is not going to be a quick process unless you want it to be a quick process. Her lawyer, your future lawyer, the judge...they all have a million other things they are working on besides your divorce. It is a priority for her, a concern for you, but just another stack of papers on already crowded desks for them. Tell your attorney, whomever you hire, that you want to drag your feet on this. He/she will probably be more than happy to comply because it gives them time to work on their other cases.