Are You Involved In A High-Conflict Divorce?

While ending a marriage is always emotional and difficult, there’s a big difference between an average divorce and a high-conflict divorce. The latter are extremely tumultuous and usually marked by relentless and intense disputes that go on for months or even years. These kinds of divorces must almost always be resolved in court with the help of a judge, even after which, the parties may still find themselves more concerned with “winning” than working to find equitable solutions. This can prolong the process even further and increase the financial and emotional toll on all of the parties involved.

Navigating Custody Disputes 

Custody disputes are some of the most difficult issues to navigate during divorce and so they often form the epicenter of high-conflict dissolutions, with both parents fighting for time with and decision-making authority over their children. These disputes can quickly become complex, as it is often difficult for courts to determine what is in a child’s best interests when both parents are so vehemently opposed to each other. In these cases, successfully navigating a custody dispute often requires that the court order a child custody evaluation, which involves an assessment by a mental health professional.

Property Division Issues 

Another high-conflict issue in many divorces is how couples will divide assets and debts. This can become an extremely contentious matter in high-conflict divorces, where one or both spouses may stoop to hiding assets in an effort to keep property away from the other. Identifying and valuing assets, which is a prerequisite to division is almost always challenging in high-conflict divorces, with parties often having extremely different perspectives on what qualifies as a fair settlement. Forensic accountants may end up playing an important role in these cases, exploring financial records and uncovering discrepancies. Unfortunately, the information discovered during these investigations can further heighten conflict between the parties, which is why an experienced attorney is crucial to navigating these issues tactfully.

Alimony Difficulties 

Finally, many couples in high-conflict divorces find themselves unable to reach an agreement on alimony, with both sides becoming further entrenched in their positions as time goes on. In these cases, the parties may need to hire a financial expert who can help clarify each spouse’s income, expenses, and earning ability. Again, these investigations can cause further discord between the couples, which is why it can be so helpful for each party to have attorneys who can help them work out a solution in a calmer, more reasonable way.

An Experienced Florida Divorce Lawyer 

Family law attorneys can help couples navigate high-conflict divorces, knowing when to seek compromise and when to take a more aggressive stance. If you and your spouse need help managing your emotional dynamics during divorce, please call experienced and compassionate Florida divorce attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. today. You can reach a member of our legal team by calling our office at 954-945-7591 or by sending us an online message. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with your questions and concerns.

Source:

 latimes.com/lifestyle/newsletter/2023-11-28/are-you-going-through-a-high-conflict-divorce-group-therapy