High Conflict Divorce

Individuals facing high-conflict divorce endure an overwhelming drawn-out legal battle affecting their emotional and financial well-being. High-conflict divorce involves an uncooperative or manipulative ex-spouse, who contributes to prolonged disputes and significant stress. Common issues experienced may include:

Financial Manipulation and Hidden Assets

  • Attempt to hide assets or income for the purpose of reducing equitable property settlements, spousal maintenance (alimony) or child support obligations.

  • Refusal or lengthy and prolonged delay in providing timely financial disclosures (discovery), resulting in undue delay in the divorce process and extensive litigation toward compliance.

  • Unwillingness to work through Financial Early Neutral Evaluation or mediation in a meaningful manner toward resolution of settling on an approved Balance Sheet or comprehensive equalizer payments and spousal maintenance.

  • Dissipation of marital assets, such as reckless spending, transferring funds to third parties, damage to property to reduce its value, withholding payment toward loans securitized by assets, or selling assets without disclosure, etc.

  • Non-payment of temporary child support or spousal maintenance during the dissolution, requiring expensive legal action toward enforcement.

Potential Use of Child Custody and Parenting Time Issues in Furtherance of Continued Litigation

  • Disregard for the best interest of the child(ren) by failing to provide for the child’s developmental, emotional, cultural, spiritual, physical, mental, and other needs first in favor of their own desires.

  • Controlling a parent through unjustifiable frequent requests to expand or limit custody of the minor child(ren) and parenting time without reasonable basis for doing so in a near frivolous manner including numerous unfounded claims of neglect.

  • Attempts to limit or block parenting time without reasonable justification.

  • Non-cooperative behavior including a failure to co-parent effectively by failing to provide documents, share information, or refusal to update the other parent on important issues regarding doctor appointments, school records/issues, diagnosis, activities, sporting events, competitions, and other child-related needs.

  • Parental alienation, involving manipulative game-playing on the joint minor child to turn them against the other parent.

  • Lengthy messages received by the other parent incorporating derogatory, belittling, coercive, inflammatory language geared to wear down, annoy, distract from relevant issues, or completely ignore requests made by the other parent.

  • Violation of court-ordered custody agreements, requiring legal intervention.

Repeated Court Battles

  • Divorce marred by significant and numerous motions before the court with such frequency that goes beyond Initial Case Management Conference, Conference Call with the Court, Pre-Trial, and Trial. Sometimes it involves a party’s filing excessive or frivolous motions for the purpose of draining financial resources and create stress.

  • Constant threats of legal action without merit to maintain control over the other party.

  • Failure to comply with court orders, requiring contempt motions or enforcement proceedings.

  • Use of the legal system as a means of ongoing abuse, coercion, or intimidation.

Emotional and Psychological Toll

  • Constant fear for safety and well-being for oneself and the child(ren).

  • Living in a state of prolonged stress and anxiety due to ongoing conflict.

  • Surviving physical abuse, emotional abuse, or manipulation designed to control and exhaust a party’s resources entirely to prevent their voice of concerns from being heard.

  • Difficulty moving forward due to never-ending legal battles.

How an Experienced High-Conflict Divorce Attorney Can Help

An attorney focusing on high-conflict divorce understands these challenges and provides strategic legal guidance aimed to mitigate the damage caused by the other party as much as possible. However, often these matters involve significant resources to curtail continued exertion of power and control of the other party. With experience in complex custody cases, asset division, and handling manipulative ex-spouses, a knowledgeable divorce lawyer can:

  • Advocate for child custody and parenting time that prioritize the best interest of the child.

  • Uncover hidden assets and fight for equitable property distribution.

  • Carefully craft your narrative/story by incorporating legal principles and laws in support of your reasons for your proposal as a foundation for the best outcome possible.

  • Defend against allegations and ensure your side of the story is heard.

  • Minimize frivolous litigation by incorporating contempt or sanction requests properly.

  • If you're dealing with a toxic, high-conflict divorce, having an aggressive and experienced attorney on your side is crucial to securing the best possible outcome.

If you are struggling with a high-conflict divorce or wish to seek further guidance, please contact us today to schedule a consultation to determine best strategies moving forward.

Below is a list of other Divorce Matters we assist with: