Decision making - motivations and emotions

The divorce settlement had been proceeding well until the third negotiation meeting. Compounding a cold rainy day was the news that Jill's mother was seriously ill - this was a bad start - Jill could not even face breakfast. Dan was very demanding today too - he wanted to keep the house which would, in Jill's eyes, mean that the kid's would associate their father with winning this war.

Just because his business was going downhill fast did not mean he should take from Jill more than was her fair share. Jill stood her ground. She would take no less than the house plus 80% the remaining assets from the marriage.

After all, she had all the money to begin with - was blinded by love - and so most of it was poured ludicrously into Dan's business. Even if she did not want to look after the kids full time she'd fight for this if it would help her win the case - her lawyer said this would be a pretty effective lever - ‘and don't forget to show a few tears' (at this Jill thought ... ‘god knows Dan has shed enough for both of us').

But in any case Jill recognised that her lawyer was surely being paid more than enough to give this kind of right advice. Explain how motivations and emotions may influence tactics and decision in this situation.