Choosing a Divorce Lawyer When High Conflict is Involved
Navigating a divorce is challenging enough, but when high-conflict personalities are involved, selecting the right legal representation becomes even more critical. Bill Eddy, LCSW, ESQ, co-founder adn Chief Innovation Officer of the High Conflict Institute, emphasizes key questions to ask potential attorneys to ensure they’re equipped to handle such complex cases.
Experience Matters: Don’t hesitate to inquire about an attorney’s experience with cases similar to yours. While some lawyers will be highly seasoned in this area, others may be newer to it.Eddy stresses the importance of experience, given the intricate details, rules, and strategies involved in family law. A lawyer familiar with the local court system and the presiding judge’s tendencies can be a notable advantage.
Understanding Their Approach: Ask potential lawyers, “What steps would you take in handling a case like mine?” Ther’s no single “right” answer, but their response should demonstrate a logical and well-considered strategy. This question reveals whether the attorney understands the dynamics of high-conflict situations or is simply making assumptions. Crucially, assess if you feel comfortable with their proposed approach and if they are receptive to your input and facts.
Avoiding Premature Judgments: A red flag is an attorney who readily accepts abuse allegations without critical evaluation. eddy warns that such lawyers may quickly turn against you if opposing counsel presents damaging (even if false) information. Similarly,be wary of lawyers who are easily swayed by emotion,as they might change course based on feelings rather than evidence.
Instead of seeking a lawyer aligned with a pre-conceived notion of “truth” regarding abuse claims, Eddy advocates for a skeptical attorney – one who:
* Is familiar with the full spectrum of possibilities.
* Remains open-minded.
* Maintains objectivity.
* Asks thorough questions.
* Actively seeks corroborating evidence.
* Is willing to honestly address potential misperceptions or inaccuracies in your account of events.
Ultimately, choosing a divorce lawyer who understands high-conflict dynamics requires careful consideration and thoughtful questioning.Bill Eddy’s work highlights the need for a lawyer who is not only legally competent but also possesses the critical thinking skills and emotional intelligence to navigate these particularly challenging situations.
Source: Bill Eddy, LCSW, ESQ, is the co-founder and Chief innovation Officer of the High Conflict institute. He is a leading expert on managing disputes involving people with high-conflict personalities and author of numerous books on the topic. https://highconflictinstitute.com/bill-eddy