Getting a divorce is rarely easy, especially in contentious cases involving high levels of conflict between spouses. It is understandable that spouses may not see eye to eye during the divorce process, and disagreements can be expected in most cases. However, there are some cases where a spouse may behave unreasonably and have unrealistic expectations about what should happen during the divorce process. Unfortunately, those who are getting divorced from a spouse with mental health issues will often experience difficult conflicts, and this is especially true when a spouse is a narcissist.

Divorces involving mental illness and concerns about the health and safety of the parties and their family members can become complex very quickly. If you believe that your spouse is a narcissist, you may need to prepare to address multiple types of conflicts and legal issues, and you will want to take steps to protect your rights and determine your best options for resolving disputes successfully. Having the right attorney on your side during this process is crucial. A lawyer who is experienced in high-conflict divorce cases can advise you of your options and provide you with skilled representation when addressing issues in the courtroom.

Understanding Narcissism

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition involving an inflated level of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. It is one of the least diagnosed mental health issues, because people with NPD often do not believe that they have a problem. Even if a person does not exhibit all of the traits of NPD, they may engage in narcissistic behavior that affects their relationships with others.

The divorce process can be complicated regardless of a couple’s circumstances. Spouses may be involved in contentious disputes related to any or all of the issues that will need to be resolved before they can legally dissolve their marriage. Even if a couple agrees on most of the issues in their divorce and plans to avoid conflict wherever possible, they may still encounter difficulties related to their property, incomes, and finances. This is especially true in high net worth divorce cases where spouses own valuable assets or earn high incomes. In these cases, spouses will need to address a variety of unique financial concerns. It is crucial for spouses to secure representation by an attorney who is experienced in high asset divorce cases, and with the right lawyer on their side, they can make sure their legal and financial concerns will be addressed correctly.

Property Division Issues

All divorcing couples will need to decide how they will divide their marital property, which consists of all assets and debts they acquired during their marriage. This can be an especially complex process for couples who have a high net worth, since they are likely to own a wide variety of different types of physical property and financial assets. These may include:

• Real estate - In addition to their marital home, a couple may own vacation homes or other real estate property. These properties should be appraised to determine their value and the amount of equity the spouses own in each property. It may not be possible to equally divide these properties between the spouses, so it may be necessary to sell certain properties during divorce.

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Being involved in any type of legal proceeding can be taxing, but finding yourself arguing about your marriage in a courtroom is especially difficult. It can be challenging to see your years of marriage being reduced to a legal battle and having a judge, who knows little to nothing about your life or relationship, make decisions about your future. While divorce litigation is often a last resort for divorcing couples, with the right attorney arguing on your behalf, you can be assured that your rights and interests will be protected.

Is a Divorce Trial Right for Me?

If you are in the beginning stages of your divorce, you should be aware of all of your options for resolving disputes with your spouse. Trial litigation is far from your only option, but depending on your circumstances, it may be the best fit for you and your family. Methods that you may use to resolve divorce-related issues include:

1. Divorce mediation - Some couples decide to divorce because they are no longer in love or are not happy being married to each other, and they may wish to resolve divorce-related issues with minimal conflict. For divorcing couples who can communicate openly with each other, are able to compromise, and want the best for each other, divorce mediation is a great option. You and your spouse will hire a third-party mediator who will guide you through the divorce agreement process, allowing you to make the decisions together.

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When it comes to divorce, a parent’s biggest concern is often with how their decision to end their marriage will impact their children. You have likely heard that divorce is a traumatizing experience that can ruin someone’s childhood, or maybe you are concerned that the divorce will sever you and your children’s relationship altogether. It is true that your divorce will be difficult to handle; after all, your kids have grown up in a two-parent household up to this point, but rarely is divorce as devastating to your children as you imagine that it will be. 

As a firm that has helped numerous families through their divorce, we have heard your concerns time and time again. All parents want the best for their kids, and sometimes they will sacrifice their own happiness in the process. If you have come to the realization that divorce is your next step, our attorneys are here to stand by your side. We have created a guide that outlines all you need to know about how you can help your child through your divorce, allowing you to do what is right for you while continuing to be an advocate for your children along the way. 

When you imagine a divorce, you likely picture two spouses screaming at each other in the center of a courtroom. The spouses cannot come to an agreement and neither spouse is willing to compromise, so the judge intervenes on their behalf and makes a decision that neither party is truly happy with. While these contentious types of divorces do occur, most divorce proceedings are much less dramatic than how they are depicted on TV. Before you begin the legal portion of your divorce, it is important to know your options and determine which type of divorce proceedings are best for you and your spouse. 

Analyzing Your Relationship

As much as you may not want to reminisce about your marriage or think about ending your union with your spouse, you will need to take time to consider the current state of your relationship before selecting which type of divorce you should pursue. The state of Illinois has a variety of options so that you can choose the one that works best for you. Can you and your spouse come to an agreement or do you struggle to find common ground? Are you each willing to compromise or are you both strong-headed? Is it necessary that you maintain an amicable relationship moving forward or will you be parting ways forever? By considering questions like these, you can better determine how well you can work together--or your inability to do so--which can greatly impact the types of divorce proceedings that you should consider.