oh i forgot, my atty thinks its a good thing that my wife has the 15K in the bank...she said it shows she has assets and that while it will disqualify her for state aid, it may show any judge she isn't poor and destitute. And it may help keep the alimony down. (in addition to me offering her more of a lump)

i also did a spreadsheet about what she's likely wanting money for (stuff acquired during marriage). If i count 1/2 of the 15K as mine, and give her 10K for house, it turns out i only owe her 7K for 'everything'

i'm not naive enough to think she will accept my numbers but even double my estimates and i can live with 14K easily assuming the house appraises.

One other thing i keep forgetting about is she will get an addtional 5K plus interest as i'm paying off the car we just bought..(share loan against savings)..she will have over 5K in cash and ill have a car that today is only worth 3K, cant imagine what it will be worth in a few years. So she's making out on that but i dont mind