Sadly, your fears are right, other than the clean break mentioned about. That wouldn’t cost you much less, if any less, though. A Judge has to approve it, and they have to agree that it is equitable.
My suggestion would be, forget about the divorce. Sell the house, give him half the proceeds (no getting away from that one unless you can persuade him to leave), buy a smaller place, and keep your pension. You will also save thousands from the legal costs of a divorce. Then, the ball is in your husband’s court. Would he start legal proceedings for a divorce? Would he be motivated enough? Would he be prepared to pay a couple of thousand up front? If he does (and most older blokes never do, it’s the women who take action), you are in no worse a position, since the equity in both properties (or the money he hasn’t done anything with yet) form part of the estate.
You’ll be fine in a smaller home, without the stress, and your cats won’t mind. You just need to get your head around the idea.
Good luck