trapped

My friend has been married 23 years with 2 children and no longer loves his wife. He keeps trying to leave and propose divorce to her but she is threatening that she will destroy him and take his business. She owns half of his 1.5 million dollar company. She even wants $250,000 compensation to train for a new job. She made him an offer that if he stays for two years until his son is out of high school she will sign over the business to him. He moved back in but is miserable and feels trapped. If he does leave will he be left with nothing?

It really depends on the state. Some states are community property states and some are not. In some states the courts look to what division is considered "equitable". Your friend needs to sit down with an attorney so the attorney can assist him in determining how the judge will likely divide the assets.