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Divorcing a narcissist

On Behalf of | Mar 25, 2022 | Divorce

Residents of New Jersey may want to learn more about the toll that divorce with a narcissist takes. Family courts see a number of high-conflict divorce cases that manipulate the system, while taking an emotional toll on everyone.

According to Psychology Today, high conflict divorce takes up 90% of court time. This type of divorce is longer, more costly, and more complex that those that settle in a friendlier manner.

What is a narcissist?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a narcissist has a inflated view of their own importance. They lack empathy, while causing problems for others in many areas of life.

A high-conflict divorce

It is often destructive to the family, while taking a financial toll as well. Some of the features of this type of high-conflict divorce include:

  • Lack of trust
  • High levels of anger
  • Refusal to collaborate, compromise, or communicate

The high-conflict divorce may cause high levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the children as well as the parents.

May play the part of innocent victim

The person with the narcissistic personality may take another, quieter tack. Some are not obviously aggressive, and it does not look like high conflict. Their methods of attack are not as obvious, such as the spreading of rumors, hiding behind an overly aggressive legal team and playing the role of the innocent victim.

More complications

The divorce process becomes more complicated with a narcissist, as property division as well as child support, visitation, and juggling of holiday schedules become issues to work out. In many cases, it is the children who become collateral in this game.

The narcissist will never accept blame, even if the cause of the divorce was cheating, emptying a bank account or breaking the law. They always blame someone else.

Divorcing a manipulative narcissist may take a special awareness of how the process can take a toll. The welfare of the family should be a goal.