Hi everyone - I'm needing encouragement, positive thoughts, advise and courage!

I finally went to a divorce attorney a couple of weeks ago and spoke to my husband about it last week. I knew he wasn't going to take it well, but I wasn't expecting how low he is willing to go. First, he said he wouldn't sign the papers. That he would drag it out in court forever. He wants us to stay together until our 10-year-old is old enough to move out (this is because he doesn't work and I pay all his bills).

Then, he said that he'd get half of everything - half of my paycheck, half of my retirement, half of the house equity, half of our personal property, etc. (We live in a community property state so some of this is expected, except for the paycheck part.) He plans to go for alimony (which he ABSOLUTELY doesn't deserve) and is demanding custody of our daughter. And because he can't afford to live in this state (because he needs a free ride), he would move back home and take her with him.

Along with that, he threatened to bring up things from the past that are completely unrelated to the divorce. I keep thinking of him as the Big Bad Wolf - that he's going to huff and puff until he can blow my house (ego/emotions) down.

After that conversation, I felt defeated. I felt it was hopeless. I felt that I was stuck in a marriage, stuck in a house, stuck with a person that I don't love anymore.

Since then, I've regained some strength. I've been trying to think positively and not get hung up on his threats. I've tried to believe in myself. I'm planning to push forward. I have an appointment with another attorney in just over a week. I'm going to lay everything out for her and see what she recommends. I'm nervous, but freedom from him is very motivating!

The biggest fear I have is about our daughter. She absolutely needs to be with me. He can be very convincing and he does his research. I need strength and courage to beat him at his own game!