Hi everyone,

I'm in the middle of mediation, we just submitted our income and expenses forms. We've been married for 6.5 years. Together for about 13. We have two little girls and this is my situation.

Our home is in So Cal. We bought it in May 2020 for 672k. We refinanced a year later to drop PMI. As it stands we have a 3.1 rate and owe 600k. Monthly comes out to 3500 roughly. It's a 4 bedroom house estimated to be worth 975k - 1M.

My wife wants to go explore her "True Self" etc. She says she's a lesbian and always has been. She's moved out two weeks ago to her parents who live 3 miles away. We are splitting our time with the girls following the 2-2-3 method. I'd like to keep the house for several reasons. Salvage at least one part of my life, I've put a lot of work into it. We redid the backyard and main bathroom this year. I'd like for my two girls to have their family home. Our oldest is 3.5, the youngest is 1.5. Financially it seems to make sense in the long run given the rates to keep the house.

Alone I don't think it's doable. My soon to be ex would have to contribute to some degree (I think this is really what's going to decide it). Either in child support or spousal support I'm not sure. I just don't see myself buying a home like this ever again if it all in so cal. For reference I make 90k and she makes 140k.

If we do sell, I'd end up moving back with my folks who are retired and help them with rent. They also have a 4 bedroom. They currently rent the larger room that has a bathroom to someone else. We'd end up asking those tenants to leave so I could move back in and set up the extra rooms for my girls.

Let me know what you guys think. If you were in my shoes what would you guys do? Would you let it go or would you try and convince your stbxw to work with you to save the home? I'm thinking of asking for a 2 year period to figure a way to pay out her equity and refinance the home under my name. Perhaps I'm putting off the inevitable but I think it's worth the effort.

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