Just had my first mediation, the mediator seemed to side with my wife and strongly suggest that I take "the deal" We have a 40 year marriage, she decided to abandon me over a disagreement over my MIL, moved away, took a job that pays half of her usual salary, then filed for divorce. Over the past 20years she has made equal or more than my salary. The mediator's "deal" is -Alimony for 8 years, -equal division of all other assets and debts -equal division of retirenment - I contribute $2500 towards her lawyer fees - this "deal" is non modifiable, even if i loose my job ... basically " take the deal or you have a demale judge, so you will have to pay court fees and still get the same deal, bc ypu have a female judge" ...My lawyer flipped the script and is now convincing me that this is a" great deal"

We live in a no-fault state. My wife abandones me, moved away, i had to support her for the past year and pay ALL of the bills.. that, combined with my attourney fees, i am completely out of money and close to retirenment. And she has made equal or more money than me for the majority of our marriage. I dont know what to do.