How a TX Family Law Attorney Benefits a High-Conflict Divorce

 Posted on February 10, 2025 in Divorce

If you expect your divorce to be full of conflict, your choice of divorce attorney really matters. While all divorces can be stressful and emotional, a high-conflict divorce is so contentious that some spouses simply walk away from negotiations, leaving everything they are entitled to behind. Unfortunately, this tactic can have some seriously negative financial results for many years to come.

A much better solution is to make sure the divorce attorney you hire is well-versed in high-conflict divorces and let him or her handle as much of the adversity as possible. A high-conflict divorce usually has intense animosity and a seemingly never-ending cycle of disagreements. Every single decision turns into a battle, from the division of marital assets to child custody arrangements. A high-conflict divorce can drag on for years, draining you financially and emotionally.

When you are choosing your divorce attorney, discuss your situation and your expectations that your spouse will go out of his or her way to ensure the divorce is filled with conflict from beginning to end. Having an experienced Hurst, TX family law attorney from Daniel R. Bacalis, P.C. can really make a difference in the outcome of your high-conflict divorce.  

What Personality Types Are Most Likely to Have High-Conflict Divorces?

Certain personality types can contribute significantly to a high-conflict divorce. These include narcissists as well as those with diagnosed Borderline Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Antisocial Personality Disorder. Abusers and narcissists both dislike the feeling they are not in control of a situation.

Because of this, the abuser and the narcissist will go out of his or her way to control the divorce by opposing every single motion and settlement offer. A lack of empathy, the inability to separate facts from feelings, and an inability to hold themselves accountable are all narcissistic traits that will have a narcissistic spouse viewing himself or herself as "right" and you as "wrong" throughout the divorce.

Getting Through a High-Conflict Divorce

The best thing you can do if you are married to a high-conflict spouse is to set realistic expectations of how the divorce will progress from the beginning. High-conflict divorces virtually always take longer than a "typical" divorce, involving one court appearance after another, endless negotiations, and multiple delays.

The high-conflict spouse is likely to exhibit intense emotions and irrational behaviors, not to mention maliciousness and anger. When you have set your expectations appropriately and hired the right divorce attorney, you will get through your high-conflict divorce in the best way possible.  

How An Experienced Divorce Attorney Can Facilitate a High-Conflict Divorce

Your divorce attorney will be a welcome buffer between you and your high-conflict spouse throughout the divorce while ensuring your rights are protected throughout the process. You need an attorney who will handle the majority of communications with your spouse so you are not in a constant emotional state.

Your attorney will have a deep understanding of the high-conflict personality and will be experienced in negotiating child custody, asset division, and spousal support in contentious situations. He or she will know how to respond to false allegations made by your spouse and how to handle a high-conflict personality in the courtroom.

You can help your attorney by documenting every single interaction with your spouse. This is a protective measure on your part and can be crucial when disputes arise. Save every text, email, social media message, and phone message. Make a log of the times of each phone call and what was discussed. Know what your marital assets consist of, and track every financial transaction related to marital accounts and assets.

Contact a Tarrant County, TX Divorce Lawyer

Your Hurst, TX divorce attorney from Daniel R. Bacalis, P.C. will have exceptional interpersonal skills, significant legal knowledge, and plenty of experience dealing with high-conflict personalities and divorces. Attorney Bacalis is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist who offers results-driven legal representation. Call 817-498-4105 to schedule your free consultation.