What to Know About Navigating a High-Conflict Divorce
No one wants to deal with a high-conflict divorce in which a spouse does anything that they can to make the situation more difficult. We have seen many clients’ divorces go this way though, and we understand just how stressful it can be. If you are struggling to deal with a high-conflict divorce on your own, our Chatham divorce attorneys are ready to help.
How Can I Make a High-Conflict Divorce Less Stressful?
If your spouse is insistent on making things difficult, your divorce is going to be stressful. However, you can do some things on your end to try and make a high-conflict divorce into a less draining situation. We suggest that you:
- Keep venting about your divorce to a minimum
- Seek out supportive friends who can help you work through things
- Talk to a mental health professional if your divorce is really weighing on you
- Focus on your health, making sure that you have a healthy diet and you get enough sleep
- Keep communications with your soon-to-be former spouse to a minimum whenever possible
- When you do respond to your spouse, make sure that you are calm and collected
If you ignore your own needs, snap back at every text your ex sends your way, and do not rely on your support system, you are just going to make a high-conflict divorce even harder to manage.
How Can I Protect My Kids in a High-Conflict Divorce?
If you have children, they have to be the top priority here. A high-conflict divorce is going to stress them out and there is really no way around it. However, you can do your best to keep things stable for them at home.
When you are with them, avoid talk about the divorce or your spouse. Plan activities that you will all enjoy. If they have questions, be as honest with them as you can. It may also be wise to find psychologists who can help your children through this.
Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer?
You are not required to have a divorce lawyer, but one is often needed in situations like these. The spouses in a high-conflict divorce can rarely agree to sit down for methods like arbitration or mediation, and that means that most of your divorce terms are likely to be settled through litigation. You will want an experienced attorney on your side for this.
What Should I Do After My Divorce?
After your divorce, make sure that you are taking care of yourself and your kids. Keep communications with your ex to a minimum. If you do need to talk, use the “BIFF” response model. This stands for brief, informative, friendly, and firm. Do not get sucked back into conflict with an ex that can push your buttons.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are going through a high-conflict divorce, you need some assistance. Contact Lazor Rantas, PC and schedule a consultation with our team. We would love to tell you more about how we can help in this stressful time.
