While many television shows and movies often depict divorces as bitter battles between spouses who only communicate through their attorneys, this is not the case. In many instances, spouses can remain civil through this matter, if not amicable. However, when your spouse does everything in their power to make this process difficult for you, you may be unsure where to turn. Unfortunately, a high-conflict divorce can be incredibly difficult to navigate, as you’re not only handling the legal ramifications of this process, but the emotional impacts. As such, if this reflects your circumstances, you’ll want to keep reading to learn more about what makes a divorce high conflict and the steps you can take to protect your best interests during these matters. In addition, you’ll learn how a Somerset County divorce attorney can help you through these complicated times.
What Makes a Divorce High Conflict?
While not all couples will be able to reach an agreement regarding the different aspects of their divorce, especially when related to matters like child custody, property division, and alimony, for some, these disagreements can become full-blown conflicts. In general, a high conflict divorce occurs when one or both spouses continually and repeatedly engage in harmful behavior towards the other simply to make their partner’s life more difficult. This often includes unnecessary hostility, manipulation, and refusal to cooperate.
Many spouses who feel hurt or betrayed by their spouse’s decision to file for divorce or for the actions that lead them to file will engage in this behavior as a way of “punishing” their spouse for their actions. Often, a petty and uncooperative spouse will do so because they want to hurt their spouse in the way that they have been hurt, or feel as though their spouse does not deserve what they have requested as part of the divorce.
How Can I Navigate this Process?
If your spouse is continually engaged in negative behavior as a means of upsetting you during your divorce, this can be an incredibly draining and emotional matter. As such, it’s important to remain as calm as possible, as this can help you avoid making rash decisions that could negatively impact the outcome of your divorce.
Generally, one of the most crucial matters to keep in mind is the importance of keeping all communication between you and your spouse in writing. When your spouse’s outbursts or threats occur over the phone, you’ll have no way of proving what was said to a judge. However, by regulating all communication to text messages or emails, this ensures you can help minimize direct contact with your spouse while ensuring everything they say to you is documented.
Additionally, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney during this difficult time. Trying to handle a manipulative spouse while also navigating the legal process of a divorce can be too much for some to handle, and unfortunately, can result in errors or issues that inadvertently impact the outcome of your divorce. As such, it is critical to connect with an experienced attorney with the Siragusa Law Firm to explore your legal options. Our team will work diligently to help you fight for the best possible outcome for your circumstances. Contact us today to learn more.