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→Hold on for a minute, do you really have to go to court?
While you should think twice before deciding that court is your only option, starting a lawsuit doesn't mean that you can't continue to try to negotiate a resolution outside of the court process.
For more information about the emotions that surround the end of a long-term relationship, and how these emotions can affect the course of litigation, read the section [[Separating Emotionally]] in the chapter [[Separation Separating and DivorceGetting Divorced]]. You should also track down and read a copy of ''[http://bookswww.googleworldcat.caorg/books?id=fi7TlN3sU88C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false oclc/436259309 Tug of War]'' by Mr. Justice Brownstone from the Ontario Court of Justice. He gives a lot of practical advice about the family law court system, when it works best and when it doesn't work at all.
You might also want to read a paper I wrote for people who are representing themselves in court proceedings, "[[Media:SRL_Bill_of_Rights_and_Responsibilities_-_November_2012_-_JP_Boyd.pdf|The Rights and Responsibilities of the Self-Represented Litigant]]".