And still struggling

[Jim1234]

Been texting with W about taxes, and a settlement agreement.

Figured we could save a little money filing jointly, but when she started talking about taking me back to Domestic Relations for more alimony and child support it gave me pause and I called my lawyer about it. Basically, if I choose to file jointly, when she takes me back to Domestic Relations she could probably get my alimony/CS increased. Not worth winning the battle but losing the war, so I told her I'd file separately. Since I did all the calculations to see which filing status would be best anyway, I offered to do hers, too. She's appreciative of that.

Paqt of the text conversation was about an updated draft settlement agreement. She says one should be forthcoming shortly. I'm strangely ambivalent. I'm the one who has been pushing her to get it done. I guess I've realized that she's never going to own her share of the failure of our marriage, and I don't want to reconcile with her just to go back to the same marriage. Of course, now that I'm typing it, I'm getting a bit melancholy.

The last draft, from Aug 17, was actually just fine with me, except for her asking for a 55/45 split. I knew there would be changes, because the draft, written by her lawyer, asked for things which I knew she didn't want. That was a bit weird, explaining how her own lawyer's document wasn't what she actually wanted.

In our texting, I said very simply "if this draft proposes a 55-45 split you might as well not even bother sending it." She replied her lawyer put that in there, and she's fine with 50-50. I was shocked it would be that easy. I thought we were going to court to fight over that, and everyone but the lawyers would lose.