Divorce can be a painful and unpleasant experience under any circumstances. However, divorcing a narcissist can be even more repulsive and distressing. Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental condition in which people have a distorted self-image. They have an inflated sense of their importance and the crave for constant and excessive attention and admiration. These people do not have empathy for others and it is difficult for them to maintain healthy relationships. When a spouse files for divorce from a narcissist, the person’s fragile self- esteem which is the root cause of his/her condition, cannot accept the fact. For instance, a lady engages a divorce attorney in Port Saint Lucie to initiate separation from her narcissist husband. The man refuses to accept his shortcomings as a husband and will no stone unturned to win the case. It, therefore, becomes important to know about some vital tips in order to separate from a person suffering from NPD.
1. Hire A Strong And Experienced Attorney
Getting legally separated from a partner with such a disorder can be messy and complicated. Moreover, the problems can be compounded if you hire a lawyer with no understanding of narcissist behavior. It will be pertinent to hire a strong attorney who has prior experience of handling cases which involved people with such tendencies. An intelligent professional who knows exactly when to be aggressive and when to back down will be ideal for such kinds of cases. Narcissists love to get into a fight and are not averse to creating dramatic situations. You must never look to fight fire with fire and select a reasonable counsel with a realistic outlook.
2. Collect Documentary Evidence Against The Spouse
There is no guarantee that a person with NPD will speak the truth. Even when standing in a court of law and under oath to speak the truth, they can lie comfortably. It is, therefore, necessary to collect as much documentary evidence as possible against such spouses. Phone call records, e-mails, and text messages from them must be saved. Bills and bank statements obtained in a lawful manner can also be used to nail their lies. Remember, narcissists can be very charming if they want to and can mislead judges. Having concrete documentary evidence of their wrongdoing will be helpful in building a strong case against them.
3. Assemble A Strong Support Team
Ask the top divorce attorneys in Florida or any other state and they will suggest that people assemble a strong support team before pursuing the case. Divorcing a narcissist can be a much more mentally and emotionally traumatic experience than separating from a normal person. People going through such separations must get their families and friends to support them. As mentioned earlier, anyone with NPD can be very charming and can easily spread lies about their partners. Having a support system in place will help you overcome the stress and trauma brought about by the narcissistic spouse’s actions.
4. Limit Direct Communication With A Narcissistic Spouse
It is essential to limit direct communication with a spouse suffering from NPD, during the divorce. For instance, if you hired a divorce attorney and moved to Fort Pierce and your narcissist husband urges you to come back to your former home in Stuart, never go back. Record your phone conversations and use texts and e-mails to communicate. This will be helpful in gathering evidence if he mentions anything unobjectionable. It will also be sensible to limit your electronic conversations only to necessary purposes. This will help you avoid a situation where your husband incites you to make an angry or hateful comment which he can use against you.
5. Be Prepared For A Long Fight
Narcissists hate to lose and will make all efforts to project them as victims. They will lie and use charm to spread canards about you. All this can be emotionally distressing but you must prepare yourself for a long and ugly fight. Find an experienced lawyer, gather some dependable friends, and keep persevering. Sooner or later the spouse’s lies will be exposed and you will get justice.
Conclusion
Divorcing a narcissist can be an emotionally challenging and difficult task. You must consult a therapist regularly during the proceedings to ensure you come out stronger from the experience.