Divorcing a Narcissist or Seeking Custody? Here's What Lawyers Advise
Divorcing a Narcissist or Seeking Custody? Here's What Lawyers Advise
I asked lawyers how to deal with high-conflict personalities such as narcissists in court. Here's what they had to say.
CLICK HERE TO READ WHAT LAWYERS ADVISE ABOUT DIVORCING NARCISSISTS AND NEGOTIATING CUSTODY
Battling a narcissist in the legal system takes strength. Divorcing or negotiating custody with a narcissist is not easy. As a researcher who specializes in narcissism and psychopathy, I hear from many survivors who are struggling with not only with the effects of abuse and manipulation but also with re-traumatization during divorce proceedings, custody hearings, and co-parenting arrangements.
I asked lawyers and mediators their best tips on how to deal with a narcissist or otherwise high-conflict personality in the court system. Here’s what they advised.
“The Three Ds: Disengagement, Direct Conversation, and Definitive Boundaries. While the family court system is not typically built for these cornerstones, the hallmark of a narcissist or toxic personality is that they require engagement. They derive intrinsic personal satisfaction from endless interactions, and typically these are fueled by their various insecurities, misguided interpretations or reality, or other maladaptive coping mechanisms. It is necessary, especially with divorces involving children, for parents to…”