Divorcing a Narcissist: Here’s How to Prepare

Divorce is never easy. Regardless of who initiated it, divorce can be painful because it causes a gamut of ill feelings. It can make you feel guilty, angry, and afraid. The pain and the fear scale up when you divorce a narcissist, and you must prepare yourself well for it.  

If you believe your partner is a narcissist, your divorce lawyer can help you with the details of your case. Here’s what you need to know when filing for divorce with a narcissist.

What Is A Narcissist?

A narcissist is an individual suffering from a personality disorder that involves compensating insecurities and low self-esteem with delusions of greatness. These delusions are manifested through arrogance, self-centeredness, unwarranted need for admiration, and a lack of concern for others. 

Because they think highly of themselves, narcissists are typically not open to criticism and will see themselves as faultless. Their reaction to criticisms may be hostile, so the people around them tend to go along with their whims to avoid unnecessary stress. 

How to Divorce a Narcissist

You need to have a strong case to get a divorce, but you must also be strong enough to withstand the challenges of divorcing a narcissistic spouse. 

In California, filing for divorce is relatively simple because of its no-fault divorce law. You may file for divorce without having to prove that your spouse is at fault through infidelity or other factors. However, your spouse has the option to contest, and when that happens, you may either attend mediation or bring the case to court for the judge to decide. 

If you are divorcing a narcissistic spouse, you can expect them to contest and bring the case to court because they will do everything possible to win. Mediation may not be a useful option in these cases, meaning you may be facing them in court. This may be emotionally taxing, so speak with your lawyer about preparing for your case. 

To help your case succeed, take the following steps:

• Document your Experience – When possible, communicate with them in writing to have actual evidence. If they communicate with you via email or any messaging app, save those messages. 
• Track Childcare Time – Keep a record of the amount of time your spouse spends with your children and the time you spend with them. Document your spouse’s interaction with your children, if possible. 
• Find Witnesses – You will need a strong support system, so talk to your family, friends, co-workers, and business partners about your case. Your narcissistic spouse may use them against you, so it’s best to talk to them now, not later.
• Seek Help from a Divorce Lawyer – Working alongside an excellent lawyer will ease some of the burdens from you as you go through the divorce process and may even spare you from the exorbitant cost that usually comes with a drawn-out case. 

Get a Divorce Lawyer in Rancho Cucamonga 

Few divorces are easy, but divorcing a narcissist can be an especially taxing effort that can impact your life. Luckily, a seasoned divorce lawyer will guide you through the divorce process so you can protect yourself and assert your rights. If you have children, your lawyer can also suggest ways to protect your children if your spouse tries to use them against you.

The Law Office of Laurence J. Brock can provide this support when you’re seeking a divorce, but your spouse is a narcissist. To learn more about our firm and the specific guidance we can offer, reach out by calling 909-466-7661 or by filling out the following online contact form.