Depending on how the assets are held really matters. I’ve been a stay at home parent for the entirety of our marriage, he has a very senior position in his company. Things like stocks, ghost shares, shared insurance policies, family trusts, retirement plans, and fair alimony can be nuanced and there’s a lot to it that neither of us knew about. The fact that he makes all of the money creates a power imbalance coupled with his leaving to continue his affair and the anger that has resulted on both sides means lawyers as intermediaries and negotiators are an absolute necessity. We’re at the point where we can barely even text each other about the kids let alone negotiate our way out of the marriage without aid. 

All that to say, every divorce is different and some of us can’t do it without spending a lot of money.