It’s not a matter of how people might perceive you or judge you if he badmouths you, this is a matter of doing it right. There are laws of how divorces divide assets/debts as well as some negotiation between the parties. You are doing the right thing asking a lawyer who would represent you what you should be entitled to. You shouldn’t have to do all kinds of irregular dysfunction shenanigans in a divorce as this has been going with shady lawyer friends who are favoring him, and him bribing you with money for affection, just giving you this money. It doesn’t work this way, it’s done in the terms of a divorce and handled on paper, very up and up. What is with all this back room dealing? This just isn’t how it works.

But, we all understand you are divorcing a toxic, abusive piece of work, so it is to be expected from him. You are doing the right thing now.