High-Conflict Divorce Attorney

Lawyer Protecting Your Best Interests During a Contested Divorce in Richmond, VA or Several Other Nearby Cities and Counties

Regardless of how long a couple has been married some degree of conflict is likely to be present when they decide to divorce. Minor disagreements between spouses who are mostly amicable can often be resolved through negotiations or mediation. However, some couples bring conflict into every facet of their divorce proceedings, creating a toxic situation for everyone involved, including their children. It is estimated that approximately 20 percent of divorcing couples experience high degrees of conflict.

If your divorce involves constant disputes, you need a skilled attorney who can help you de-escalate the tension and reach the best solutions. At Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, we have provided effective representation for clients in many high-conflict divorce cases. We assist with all types of divorce cases in Richmond and surrounding communities, including Hanover County, Chesterfield County, New Kent County, Goochland County, Powhatan County, and Henrico County. We are known for our personal approach and our attention to detail. We know how to help you move past conflict and make thoughtful decisions that protect your best interests.

Understanding High-Conflict Divorce Issues

Whether triggered by domestic violence, infidelity, emotional or mental instability, physical abuse, arguments about assets, or other reasons, a high-conflict divorce can be unhealthy, and it can have toxic consequences. Spouses may be unwilling to compromise, and they may argue fiercely over every detail. A spouse may engage in behaviors to deliberately cause the other spouse emotional harm and distress. A spouse may engage in behaviors to intentionally delay the process to gain an economic and financial benefit or to cause financial harm and emotional harm.

Even if you are willing to try to resolve matters amicably, your spouse may use every opportunity to continue the conflict. Instead of trying to solve real problems by making sound decisions, your spouse might put more emphasis on being right and winning. Your spouse may try to punish you rather than working to resolve issues and finalize your divorce.

Like other divorcing couples, you need to make decisions about issues involving:

• Child custody, visitation, and child support
• Spousal support
• Equitable distribution of all property and assets and division of debt

When couples have a high net worth, high levels of conflict may be related to selfishness on one spouse's part, or one spouse may experience financial strain when the high net worth is held by one party. Other problems can evolve, because for some people, fighting about money is their priority in life.

In most divorces, high-conflict or not, working to reach agreements on all issues with your spouse can be a more constructive process. However, some simply may not be willing to engage in reasonable behavior and make sound decisions. Your attorney will be by your side, supporting you and offering effective legal advice while protecting your best interests in all matters involved in your divorce.

High-Conflict Divorces in Virginia Require an Experienced Attorney

Not every lawyer can handle high-conflict divorce cases effectively. Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, knows how to present your requests in a calm and peaceful manner, in an appropriately aggressive manner, or in a protective manner, whichever suits the facts of your case. During a high-conflict case, we may ask you to do several things, including:

• Document every interaction with your spouse and any violations of agreements or court orders.
• Refrain from speaking badly about your spouse to your children or within their hearing.
• Save texts, emails, handwritten notes, and all other written communications from your spouse. If he or she leaves you an angry or abusive voicemail, save that too.
• Give yourself time to calm down before you respond to an email or text, and try to use neutral and polite language to avoid triggering an argument. Emails, texts, and other communications can serve as a “paper trail” to demonstrate to a Court how reasonable you are.
• Consider using an intermediary for child physical custody transfers if you are concerned about exposure to physical and/or verbal abuse.
• Consider mediation as a way to resolve your divorce-related disagreements.
• Remember that self-care is necessary to help you deal with the rigorous emotional demands of a high-conflict divorce.
• Consider treatment from a licensed therapist to help you address your ongoing emotional concerns.

As we get to know you better and understand your situation more fully, we may offer additional advice. We understand how much stress a high-conflict divorce can cause, and we will do all we can to simplify the process for you.

Contact Our High-Conflict Divorce Attorney Serving Richmond, Virginia and the Surrounding Region

Tough challenges take a tough lawyer. Carol A. N. Breit, Attorney at Law, will treat you with courtesy and respect. We will be aggressive when we need to be. Your spouse and his or her attorney will not intimidate us. Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online or calling us at 804-282-9226 today.