Two things. One...get a lawyer. Don't go with sharing one with the soon-to-be-ex husband. You want one that is looking out for YOU.
Two...I believe you are entitled to half the house. Period. My husband divorced in NY and he was entitled to it, but didn't take it. He just wanted out of the marriage and let her keep everything but the snowblower (he has his priorities
) But you are probably entitled to half the house. He would either have to sell it or pay you your half if you persue it. If you only want half of the equity you paid into it, then that's your choice. There is a couple that lived across the street from us and they bought their house about the same time we bought ours. They divorced after about two years and they sold it and split it. In all fairness...it's almost best for a divorcing couple (except for if there's kids involved) to sell, split it and go their separate ways. Who wants to walk around a house with all those memories of a failed marriage? I wouldn't. In my opinion, if there's kids, the custodial parent should stay and raise the kids in the house they're accustomed to, but if no kids are involved, just split and start over, imho.