Well the thing is this. If he is fair to you then he will put the welfare of the children and you first. By saying that he wants to sign over the shares etc. it is making it all very difficult for you. You must get your own solicitor and get advice now. A marriage of 14 years would be considered medium to long and I think you would get a lot more than you think. He may be busy trying to hide away his income, sorry to be cynical but it does happen all the time and you will have to prove how much he earns (he will be asked to provide copies of all the bank statements on his forms) The fact that you have been accustomed to a certain lifestyle will be taken into account. But ... be prepared to shell out quite a lot on legal fees .. and it is a bumpy ride, but I think you would eventually get a good settlement. I am not sure if one should advertise but one of the best lawyers is Peter Payne of Stephens and Scown in Exeter who has handled three divorces that I know of. Let's face it you are never going to agree and you do not have the legal knowledge to do it all yourself. From experience I would say, that with a good lawyer you would get an immediate maintenance agreeement (and don't forget you need to get the official date of separation sorted out) and you would get a lump sum enough to buy a house in your own right, albeit a little smaller, depending on how much equity is available. You are selling yourself short as he seems to be having a good lifestyle, and I am afraid one has to get a bit clever in these situations as it is the whole future of you and the children that is at stake and you have put 14 years into it all, regardless of the finances.