TL;DR: When your lawyer tells you "no" LISTEN. It's their job to protect you, especially when you don't like the answer.

I'm 58. I've worked with lawyers for years negotiating contracts for companies I've worked for and my own companies. Years ago, in the last century, my brother the corporate lawyer told me the only useful thing I ever heard him say: "Lawyers are paid to say 'no'." It didn't take me long to learn in my professional career the reason - to protect the client. My STBXW and I live apart, but we are not legally separated (does not exist in Florida). Our financial life is complicated. There's no hatred, just frustration. We grew apart. The plan was to deal with last year's financial and some medical issues she had regarding cancer reconstruction surgery, and file this year. It's my second time around, so I know the drill. And was okay waiting. I don't need the personal, professional or courtroom attitude of filing while she's dealing with the aftermath of cancer. Spoke with my attorney last week to get an update on the filing timetable. She said we're not filing yet. (Deep breath.) "Talk to me." As soon as she said "no" I knew there was no way we were filing. No convincing, no you work for me, no I'll get another lawyer. I just wanted context, which I got. So, I sit in limbo. She doesn't care one way or the other, as she thinks it's a cash grab eventually. But it won't be. More time is needed. We're not hiding money or other assets. She's still a board member of one of my companies. We just need time. For those that don't, don't procrastinate. File ASAP. But when your lawyer says no... LISTEN.