On behalf of Bartholomew & Wasznicky LLP posted in Family Law on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.
In our last post, we highlighted how important it can be for divorcing parties to carefully consider how joint credit card or loan debts will be resolved, and how third-party creditors may not be bound by a court's divorce decree. Indeed, debt may be the impetus of a couple's feelings towards each other, but control (or at least the sense of it) may keep them at odds.
As family law attorneys, we see how one party can be obsessed with controlling the lives of their ex-spouse with the children. Sometimes control is relished by creating chaos by being petty, inflexible and defiant. And when a controlling ex feels (or realizes) that they do not have power, they have a difficult time dealing with it. This can make for contentious situations where you are trying to be as diplomatic as possible.
If you are experiencing this, you are certainly not alone. Indeed, you believe that going back to court will resolve a number of issues stemming from narcissistic behavior, but you can't afford to keep seeking legal remedies every time your ex has a temper tantrum and makes a mountain out of a molehill.
This is where having a firm grasp of what your order allows, and does not allow, can be very helpful (and a thick skin can help). Armed with this knowledge, an angry ex cannot berate or intimidate you into doing what they want. However, if such verbal abuse or threats continue, a family court judge can take specific actions to address such conduct.
The preceding is not legal advice. If you have additional questions about dealing with a difficult ex, an experienced family law attorney can help.