Contested Divorce
Navigating Contentious Separations
Divorce is rarely a stress-free endeavor, but in contentious cases, the accompanying anxiety (and stakes) are even higher. Due to the unique pressures associated with high-conflict divorces, navigating them successfully requires your lawyer to have a specific set of skills: somewhere between advisor, mediator, and advocate.
At ZFL, we leverage our vast divorce law experience to help clients like you see the light at the end of the tunnel during the darkest of days. Our qualified team of attorneys will guide you through every step of your divorce until you reach your new beginning — from the moment you decide to file until the day the final paperwork is signed, and beyond.
What Is High-Conflict Divorce?
Although it’s rare for divorce to be a thoroughly amicable process, high-conflict divorce is characterized by an outright refusal on the part of one spouse (or both) to compromise very much or at all. In some cases, this is because one spouse doesn’t want to get divorced, or perhaps feels that they are owed more in settlement.
While the source of this type of obstinacy is often financially-driven, concerns over child custody can also provoke conflict.
In other cases, however, the conflict is triggered by abusive behavior. When one spouse fears for their safety or wellbeing, we can help find them a protected location in which to reside, connect them with a counselor, seek applicable protective orders, and secure any necessary medical treatment.
Tips for Safeguarding Your Case During Contested Divorce
By nature, contested divorces can provoke distressing exchanges and actions, which may be intended to elicit a response from you. But no matter how much you might be tempted to engage in the disagreement, doing so could damage the strength of your legal case. Since we know that taking the high road is sometimes easier said than done, we’ve compiled some suggestions on how best to handle the dramatics without jeopardizing your case in the meantime:
- Keep Your Goals in Mind: Don’t get distracted by the antics; instead, stay focused on your future and how keeping your calm will help you get there.
- Refrain From Face-To-Face Interactions: While there are certainly exceptions to this rule, once a divorce has reached this level of animosity, it’s likely better to interact exclusively via an intermediary.
- Lean on Your Lawyer: During a contentious divorce, an empathetic lawyer can act as your intermediary and help you weigh the pros and cons of any emotionally-charged decisions.
- Be Willing to Compromise (To Some Extent): Stay firm on the issues that matter most to you, but know that even in the most acrimonious divorce, some level of compromise is always necessary. Instead of seeing it as a sign of weakness, remember that compromise, when executed rationally, can be the key to finally moving on with your life.
Finding the Right Divorce Attorney for You
As you navigate this challenging time, a trusted legal team who can help you make rational, well-guided decisions is essential. After all, when it comes to writing your new happily ever after, the importance of finding strategic and compassionate counsel focused solely on family law cannot be understated. By combining our vast legal experience, our tenured team can design a tailored strategy to help you take back your power and build the new beginning you deserve.