Thank you both, so much, Lee and Sunna, for your responses. My husband and I have decided to use a mediator, and I do believe my husband does want to be as fair as possible, but on the other hand I'm not completely trustful, and after 17 years of working only part time so I can stay at home to raise the children, I'm paranoid about getting a fair settlement until I can find a full-time job. We will each need a lawyer to review the mediation agreement before submitting it to the court, though, and all the lawyers I've called are still quoting some pretty high fees.

I'm sure something will work out. Thank you again!