What Are the Causes of High-Conflict Divorces?

 Posted on September 25, 2023 in Divorce

Even the friendliest of divorces can have some level of contention between the divorcing spouses. These disagreements, however, pale in comparison to the battles that mark a high-conflict divorce. A high-conflict divorce is a distressing and tumultuous process marked by intense disagreements, emotional turmoil, and legal battles between the couple who are trying to end the marriage. This is why it is important to have a Wisconsin divorce lawyer advocating for you and protecting your interests during this process.

Factors That Can Trigger High-Conflict Battles

When one or both spouses refuse to work together or engage in vindictive behavior, it can create a toxic atmosphere that makes resolution nearly impossible. This lack of willingness to cooperate and negotiate can quickly turn a divorce into a high-conflict situation. Legal battles become the norm rather than the exception. Spouses may hire aggressive attorneys who fuel the conflict rather than promote resolution. These legal battles can drain financial resources and prolong the divorce process.

Some of the most common factors that result in a high-conflict divorce include:

• Breakdown in communication – Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, mistrust, and escalation of disputes. A breakdown in communication can make it difficult to negotiate or reach compromises on critical issues such as child custody, property division, and alimony.

• Intense emotions – Many divorcing couples are dealing with strong emotions about the end of their marriage. Feelings of anger, betrayal, resentment, and hurt can cloud judgment and lead to irrational decision-making. These intense emotions can fuel disputes and make it challenging for the couple to agree on anything.

• Child custody – One of the top causes of high-conflict divorces is the fight over custody. Each parent often believes they are the best caregiver for the children, leading to fierce battles over which parent the children should live with.

• Financial Issues – Financial issues are another top cause of battles in a divorce. Division of assets and property, child support, and alimony often lead to fights over who gets what and how much one spouse should pay the other.

• Revenge – In some divorces, one or both of the spouses may try to retaliate against each other. Some of the common tactics include making unfounded claims or making false accusations against the other spouse.

Contact a Rock County Divorce Lawyer

If you are involved in a contentious divorce, it is critical to have a Dane County divorce attorney who has extensive experience in high-conflict divorces. To learn how our firm can protect your best interests, call John T. Fields & Associates, LLC at 608-729-3590 to schedule a private consultation.