High-conflict divorces can be emotionally charged and legally complex, especially when there are complicating factors such as affairs or abuse. If you are facing a high-conflict divorce in Texas, a high-conflict divorce attorney at The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy can help you navigate the unique challenges of this situation.
High-conflict divorces are often characterized by anger, a lack of trust, a desire to hurt the opposing party, and/or a desire for revenge. It is important to stay calm and avoid engaging negatively with your spouse, as this could impact the outcome of your divorce.
High-conflict personalities can contribute to the complexities of a divorce. Knowing how to identify and manage these personalities can help you create an effective strategy for moving forward.
A skilled high-conflict divorce lawyer can help you recognize these personality traits and show you how to deal with them in the most effective way. Here are some tips for handling a high-conflict divorce:
Remember, you are not alone. There are lawyers who care about you and want to help. If you are facing a high-conflict divorce, please reach out to The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy for help.
Texas is a “no-fault” divorce state, parties may file for divorce based on fault grounds such as adultery, cruelty, abandonment, fraud, or abuse. However, regardless of the grounds for divorce, your history and experience will frame how issues such as child custody, division of marital property, and spousal support are viewed in court.
In most cases, it is possible to mediate a divorce settlement, even in contested cases. However, our firm understands that there are some cases where litigation is necessary to protect your rights and interests. Our attorneys can help you develop a strategy that is best for your circumstances, which may include:
We understand that conflict at the end of a marriage can be agonizing, but we are here to help you map out a plan for a secure future. Here are some tips for navigating a high-conflict divorce:
Remember, you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you through this difficult time. Statutory grounds for divorce in Texas, such as adultery and cruelty, can be considered by the court when making decisions about property division, spousal support, and child custody.
An experienced divorce lawyer can help you with a variety of issues in your contested divorce, including:
If you are facing a contested divorce in Texas, it is important to have an experienced lawyer on your side. A good lawyer can help you protect your rights and interests and negotiate a fair settlement.
Even if a divorce is amicable, it can become high-conflict if one or both spouses have a high-conflict personality. High-conflict personalities are characterized by traits such as:
High-conflict personalities may turn every key issue in the divorce into a major legal battle, which can prolong the divorce process. A high-conflict personality is someone who has difficulty regulating their emotions and behavior, and who may engage in destructive or manipulative behaviors in order to get their way.
There are many different types of high-conflict personalities, but some of the most common include:
If you are dealing with a high-conflict personality in a divorce, it is important to set boundaries and protect yourself from their manipulative and abusive behaviors. It is also important to have an experienced divorce lawyer on your side who can help you navigate the process and protect your rights.
If you believe you may be facing a high-conflict divorce, it is important to have an experienced high-conflict divorce lawyer on your side. A good lawyer can help you negotiate a fair settlement and create a strategic path to meet your needs.
In Texas, a divorce can be filed on either no-fault grounds or fault-based grounds.
No-fault divorce: This is the most common type of divorce in Texas. It means that neither spouse is considered to be at fault for the divorce.
Fault-based divorce: This type of divorce can be filed if one spouse has committed a marital offense, such as:
If a court finds that a fault-based divorce is warranted, the spouse’s fault can be considered when the court makes decisions about property division and spousal maintenance. Additionally, while fraud on the marital estate is not a ground for divorce in itself, a spouse who has hidden or wasted community assets may be ordered to make amends.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind about fault-based divorce in Texas:
If you are considering filing for divorce in Texas, it is important to talk to a lawyer to discuss your options and to learn more about the differences between no-fault and fault-based divorce.
A divorce involving a high-conflict personality (HCP) can be more challenging than other divorces because HCPs are unable to compromise or see the middle ground. They are often very good at appearing caring and sincere, so it can take months or even years for a legal professional to identify them. However, HCPs can cause enormous emotional pain and financial costs to their spouse and children before their disorder is brought to light.
Bill Eddy, a legal specialist at the High Conflict Institute, has identified a number of common traits of HCPs:
HCPs stay unproductively connected to people through conflict. They will continue to create conflict to maintain any sort of relationship, good or bad. Since HCPs undermine all relationships, they constantly repeat the same patterns and usually end up divorcing multiple times. It is estimated that 20-30 percent of all couples getting divorced have at least one HCP spouse.
The High Conflict Institute has identified four primary fears that drive HCPs:
What can the spouse of an HCP do to help bring the family conflict or divorce to completion?
Remember that the HCP feels that since you are no longer together and since you know too much about them, you must be discredited so that no one will think that they are the problem.
You will need to learn some practical skills in communication and response to your HCP, as well as when and how to let your attorney deal with this situation and how to enforce your guidelines. Hopefully, your thoughtful and reserved conduct will result in the best possible outcome.
If you are in the midst of what is beginning to feel like a high-conflict divorce, do not waste your time trying to work out all of your issues with a difficult spouse. The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy will be able to step in and help you find solutions to all of your problems so you can go about your life in Fort Worth, Arlington, Grapevine, Keller, Southlake, and other cities in Tarrant County, TX.
You are invited to call (817) 422-5350 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation so we can fully examine your case in great detail and better understand all of the issues you are facing. You should also know that our firm is familiar with various kinds of family law issues that are common in divorce cases.