Trying to work out everything when you end a marriage is challenging, especially if you have considerable assets. While most people want to make it as quick and easy as possible to get the divorce terms situated, there are some cases in which one party might try to drag things out. This is common if there’s a narcissist involved.
There are many things that you have to consider if you’re divorcing a narcissist. These might help you to reduce your stress through the process.
Plan for delays
A narcissistic individual thrives off of feeling in control of the situation. Your ex may appear not to want to negotiate the terms of your divorce so that they feel more in control of what’s going on. Your ex may feel as if they gain the upper hand in the situation by pushing the divorce to trial instead of pursuing the easier option of mediation. It’s not uncommon for a narcissistic ex to dig their heels in and refuse to budge at all on the terms they want for the end of the marriage.
Control your reactions
Another way that a narcissist feels powerful is by invoking strong reactions from people. You’ll be able to avoid giving them some of that power by keeping your emotions under control when speaking with them. It might be easier for you to keep your emotions in check if you use written communication, such as texts or emails, since you can review your response before you send them.
Where to find support in negotiating with your narcissist ex
You’ll want to let your attorney know if your ex is a narcissist so that they can adequately prepare for how conversations might go. This knowledge may shape the recommendations that they advise you are most suitable in your case.