Hey everyone, I'm currently going through a divorce in PA and when my wife filed in July of last year, she retained a lawyer. She told me that I didn't have to get a lawyer and we could come to a compromise without me having to spend the money on my own lawyer. Yes, I know it's ridiculous for her to do that. We still live together and I'll explain the situation the best I can.

We started dating in Fall of 2011 and she asked me to move into her house a few months later. I had been living in an apartment. We got married in Sept 2016 and separated last May. We both work full-time and she makes about $82k a year, while I make $46k. We have no children together and have never had joint checking/savings accounts or mutual property. The house is hers and she has been the one to do the upkeep of it and most of the cleaning. She had an appraisal done of it and the value went up $30k since we've been married. Through her lawyer, she is offering $12k to be paid over 3 years. I asked her lawyer if that number is from division of assets or alimony and she said that's their offer for everything financially. I'm not sure how much she has in her 401k but I've read that it can be divided, as well as the home value increase.

If anyone has been in a similar situation, I'm just curious as to what you ended up with when it went through court. I know that retaining a lawyer will be $1,500 for me and I'm hoping to come to a compromise without it being dragged out. Would there be a good chance of me getting around half of the assets, including her 401k? I'm guessing since it's her house and she's done most of the upkeep, I wouldn't get much or any of the value increase. When her lawyer sent me a letter of the proposal, the wife asked that we each keep our own 401k and personal property. She also asked to keep the house, of course. I would greatly appreciate any help, thanks!