Marriages and long-term relationships are meaningful partnerships between the parties, whether they remain together for several decades or for a handful of months. These relationships can end for any number of reasons, prompting the parties to begin exploring their divorce or legal separation options so that they can move forward into the next chapters of their lives. Although any divorce can be challenging to navigate, even if the spouses agree that ending the marriage is their best option, high-conflict divorces can be especially complex and stressful to move through. Making critical decisions about property and asset division, child custody arrangements, and spousal maintenance can be difficult enough without the additional challenges of explosive emotions, tense disagreements, and emotional manipulation. However, as overwhelming and isolating as the divorce process in Washington state may seem, it’s essential to recognize that you do not have to move through it on your own. Enlisting the guidance and support of a caring and trusted Seattle divorce attorney is the best way to ensure that you are making informed decisions that protect the best interests of you and your family.
At the Hemmat Law Group, we are committed to helping our clients move through every stage of the divorce or legal separation process as smoothly and confidently as possible. We believe in providing customized and effective legal guidance that sets you up for a bright and stable future. If you need help resolving divorce conflict while moving through this legal process, we encourage you to contact our Seattle office at your earliest convenience to discuss your needs and concerns. Together, we can identify the most strategic path forward that aims to help you achieve your divorce goals. Let’s take a closer look at some of the special considerations of high-conflict divorces in the greater Seattle area and how seeking early legal advice can minimize complications as you move through the divorce process.
What is a High-Conflict Divorce in Washington State?
First, it’s helpful to understand some of the factors that make a divorce become high-conflict. Although disagreements are common during the divorce process—even between spouses who are separating on relatively amicable terms—some situations can escalate to the point of nearly constant, aggressive, or explosive disputes that make it difficult (or even impossible) for the parties to move forward. In cases that involve children, the effects of a contentious, high-conflict divorce can be particularly worrisome. According to recent research, “exposure to ongoing conflict can interrupt the adjustment process and confer risks for the development of long-lasting problems in multiple domains of a child’s life.” Moreover, “the degree to which parents express negative and hostile emotional tones and behaviors influences how the child experiences and makes sense of the conflict.” Conflict can take many forms, ranging from verbal outbursts to hiding assets to leveraging false allegations against the other party in order to obtain a more favorable outcome. While there is no universal definition for what constitutes a high-conflict divorce, cases in which the parties are unable to communicate or negotiate openly, honestly, or productively are generally considered to be high-conflict divorces.
Understanding Your Rights and Responsibilities Early On
If you know that your soon-to-be ex-spouse is unwilling or unable to communicate with you as you move through the divorce process, it’s important that you enlist the guidance of a qualified and experienced Seattle divorce attorney who can help you understand your rights and responsibilities during the upcoming legal process. While some people initially approach the divorce process with the hope that they can navigate it on their own, those who are involved in a high-conflict divorce often find themselves overwhelmed and even vulnerable without a trusted legal advocate by their side. Negotiating the terms of your divorce is hard enough for spouses who are able to communicate respectfully with one another, so those who cannot be in the same room without a heated argument erupting can face complex logistical challenges when attempting to move through the divorce process. Moreover, topics like property division, spousal maintenance, and parenting plans can be emotionally charged for high-conflict divorce cases, and attempting to negotiate an agreement while in a highly volatile state can lead to unfair outcomes. With a trusted and highly qualified Seattle divorce lawyer by your side, you can feel secure knowing that your best interests will remain protected at every turn.
Safeguarding Against Manipulative Spouses in High-Conflict Divorces
It’s important to note that conflict does not always manifest as dramatic verbal outbursts or heated arguments. Instead, some forms of conflict during the divorce process can be much more subtle—but still incredibly powerful. High-conflict divorces can often involve a manipulative spouse who attempts to use underhanded tactics in order to secure a more favorable outcome for themselves, leaving the other party vulnerable and confused as to what their legal rights are in these situations. For example, one party may resort to parental alienation, which means that they will lie or exaggerate the faults of their spouse in order to undermine the relationship between the children and the other spouse. In extreme cases, one party may resort to making false accusations of domestic abuse against the other spouse to secure a more favorable child custody arrangement or to improve their chances of obtaining a hefty spousal maintenance order. These tactics can be distressing and upsetting for the other party, so it’s important to seek out trusted legal advice for divorce from a knowledgeable and experienced Seattle divorce attorney. With a compassionate legal advocate by your side, you can rest assured that your best interests will be protected as you push back against the other party’s manipulative and unfair tactics.
Developing a Strategic Plan For Navigating a High-Conflict Divorce
Realizing that your marriage is ending can be an understandably difficult experience. Even if you recognize that going your separate ways is the best way for you to move forward and into a more secure future, this doesn’t mean that you will not experience complex emotions like grief, sadness, or loss. Sometimes, the most grounding act you can take is to work with your qualified and caring divorce attorney to develop a clear plan for moving through the upcoming divorce process. Removing the uncertainty and understanding what to expect at every step of the upcoming legal process can give you the clarity and peace of mind you need to move forward. Below are just a few of the considerations you and your attorney can address as you put together your strategic plan for how to move through a high-conflict divorce in Washington state.
Asset and Property Division
Even if you and your spouse have not been together for decades, it will take time to move through the process of dividing up your shared assets. Property division can be a significant hurdle in high-conflict divorces, especially if the other party is unable or unwilling to negotiate fairly. Your attorney can work with you to determine the best approach to this step in the divorce process. For instance, you may be able to participate in mediation in order to arrive at a fair agreement. However, mediation typically requires the parties to communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully, which may not be possible for a high-conflict case. It may be more appropriate to take the matter to litigation, where the formal courtroom environment may minimize loud outbursts or heated arguments between the parties. No matter what path your divorce takes, you can trust that your skilled Seattle divorce lawyer will be there to support you and your best interests at every turn.
Spousal Maintenance
Washington state aims to ensure that both parties walk away from the divorce on relatively stable and similar financial grounds. Sometimes, this means that the court will issue a spousal maintenance order requiring one party to make monthly payments to the other spouse to account for the economic discrepancy between them. For instance, in divorces where one party served as the primary breadwinner during the marriage, the lesser-earning spouse often needs help transitioning to their new financial reality. A spousal maintenance order may be appropriate to ease this transition, while this individual takes classes or works to improve their earning capacity and employment qualifications. If you anticipate that the other party will fight against a spousal maintenance agreement, it’s worth discussing your options with your high-conflict divorce lawyer to ensure that you can secure the assistance you need during this challenging time.
Child Support and Parenting Plans
High-conflict divorces can be especially challenging when the parties have children. As a parent, you want to know that your children will be protected from the drama and turmoil of the divorce, but you also want to ensure that their best interests will be safeguarded as much as possible. When you work with an attorney who is adept at resolving divorce conflicts and advocating for your family’s best interests, you can feel more confident and reassured as you move through each stage of the divorce process.
How Soon Should I Contact a Seattle Divorce Lawyer?
Generally speaking, the sooner you reach out to a divorce attorney to discuss your concerns, the more time you will have to develop a customized approach to navigating the upcoming legal process as smoothly and efficiently as possible. If you are ready to learn more about how the dedicated legal team at the Hemmat Law Group can help you move through the divorce process with greater confidence and support, we encourage you to contact our Seattle office as soon as possible to get started.
The divorce process in Washington state can seem daunting, especially for those facing high-conflict divorces. Reach out to the Hemmat Law Group today at (206) 682-5200 to discuss your goals and concerns with a highly trusted and experienced Seattle divorce attorney.