Divorcing a Narcissist

Experienced Guidance to Protect You and Circumvent Delays

If you are getting ready to divorce a bullying spouse who has absolutely no regard for your feelings and thinks the Earth revolves around them, then you will need to take extra precautions. Even if your spouse has not been diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder, if they exhibit any of the traits, then they may make the divorce process very difficult and costly unless you take the right strategic approach.

That starts by hiring the right divorce attorney. At Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC, we have over 300 years of collective experience managing challenging situations in divorce, and we understand how to overcome the tactics narcissists use to control and delay the divorce process. We know how to achieve your objectives and preserve your peace of mind so that you can move forward to a life of freedom and opportunity ahead.

The Traits of a Narcissist

It only takes a few narcissistic personality traits to potentially throw the divorce process into turmoil. Someone who acts like a narcissist might:

  • Never consider how others are affected by their actions
  • Believe that they know best in every situation and should control everything
  • Do anything to gain admiration
  • Interrupt frequently because what they have to say is more important
  • See others only for what they can gain from them
  • Strive to appear perfect and get angry with any hint of a mistake
  • Obsess over gaining power and achieving status symbols
  • Be preoccupied with physical appearance
  • Demean others to make themselves seem better in comparison
  • Blame others because they cannot accept fault in themselves

A narcissist wants to be adored and gains validation from external sources, so they often begin relationships by showering people with gifts, praise, and attention. They can be quite charming and popular in a crowd. In private, however, the narcissist’s need for control and perfection generally turns family members into victims of emotional, mental, and even physical abuse.

Making the decision to leave someone who becomes this manipulative can be very difficult. Once you have made the choice, it is important to get help from professionals who understand how to help protect you. In addition to working with an attorney with the right experience, it can be helpful to work with mental health professionals and others as recommended.

Managing the Narcissist During Divorce

A divorce is the end of a marriage, and that sign of failure is often unacceptable to a narcissist. From the very start, they will usually try to delay the process and control the outcome. They may beg for another chance, insisting that they will change, or act like a victim, seeking sympathy from family, friends, and the legal system. Once they realize that divorce is inevitable, they may devote all their energies to ensuring that they come out ahead in every aspect of the process.

Our team knows how to anticipate the tactics of a narcissist and protect you through each step. If desired, we can manage communications so that your abusive spouse does not have the opportunity to belittle or manipulate you. We know how to effectively present evidence to ensure that the court understands your side of the story, and how to strategize during the discovery process to gain information and admissions to use to your best advantage.

We stand with you as your ally with advice and effective representation throughout proceedings to achieve the right outcome for property division, child custody, and other critical issues.

Protecting Yourself and Your Children

At Holstrom, Block & Parke, we protect victims of domestic violence, so we know what can happen in a potentially volatile situation and the essential steps to take to protect your family. We can work with the court to gain a protective order tailored to your needs.

When it comes to child custody and support, courts are bound to make decisions to align with your child’s best interests rather than the emotional demands of a narcissistic parent. We will be ready with effective arguments to demonstrate why your goals support your child’s best interests.

A narcissist will often try to “win” by hiding income and assets or demanding unnecessary levels of financial support in divorce. We work with forensic accountants to get the full financial picture so that you can walk away with the assets and arrangements you deserve after the marriage.

Gain the Advantage of Our Experience if You are Divorcing a Narcissist

Divorce involving a narcissist requires careful strategy and protective action. The dedicated team at Holstrom, Block & Parke understands how to manage narcissistic traits and keep the process moving forward toward an advantageous outcome without unnecessary expense.

For a confidential consultation to discuss the ways we can assist, contact us now.