Thank you all for the suggestions and support. I have taken notes!
A little background: I have a lot of legal experience (long complicated litigation when I was with my previous company, sold a MM$ company and other experiences). I can speak legalese, unfortunately. I am surrounded by people who have my back and also have legal backgrounds (Ls, forensic accountant, mediator, guardian ad litum, among others). I had a consultation with the best divorce L in my city about a year ago and came prepared with a long list of questions relevant to my particular situation and she gave me a run down of what was reasonable to expect, etc.
I am the bookkeeper and financial person for both our personal life and our business, so I have a firm grip on our finances and access to everything. We amicably split the house and finances before H moved out. We have custody, child support and alimony, and the split of our business to figure out. Our business is in the media industry and a valuation would be very complicated. I have a rough range in my head of what buyout figure is acceptable to me. I believe that a court valuation would come within spitting distance of the same figure range.
I have roughly mapped out my future and know what I need to start my own business and become financially independent. I have financial/professional plans A, B and C figured out for myself, so I have backup for the backup should one fail.
I don't plan to ask for more than I would easily get if we took this to court.
KML, we are in a community property state and I financially supported him to build our business until it could support us and then I began working with him. It can support two households, but perhaps not also buy me out right away.
I don't know if he is fully aware of how much I contributed to our business and what it would cost to replace me and maintain the level of financial success we enjoyed. Is that something I should talk to him about? He is very sensitive about 'starting this business all on his own' (ha) and I know it's an ego thing for him, but I also have a vested interest in his success because I need support and alimony until I am able to be financially solvent. What would you guys do?
I will definitely have everything reviewed before I sign a thing. In the meantime, all the suggestions, experiences and thoughts are really helpful to me, so keep them coming!
