How to Deal With Your Difficult Spouse

How to Deal with your Difficult Spouse during the Divorce Process

Although we always seek to resolve disputes in a negotiated settlement, sometimes negotiations break down and a divorce action must be filed.

Divorce tends to bring out the worst in some people, and they must be dealt with accordingly.  Self-interest apparently justifies deception and outright lies that would be intolerable to nice people in ordinary times.

Self-protection requires a new set of guidelines for dealing with your difficult spouse as a legal adversary:

Ø If love is gone, substitute business-like politeness.

Ø Be skeptical. Half of what is said is meant to deceive you; the other half is self-deception.

Ø Hold your cards tight. Don't let the difficult spouse know what you know.

Ø Walk away from arguments or conflict. Do not dance the dance of anger anymore.

Ø Expect your difficult spouse to resent your lawyer and make statements designed to
make you question your lawyer's knowledge or experience.

Ø Don't enter into negotiations with your difficult spouse without your hired gun.

Ø Don't make agreements or sign memorandums without talking to your lawyer first.

Ø When in doubt, believe your lawyer, not your spouse.

Ø Learn to say "Talk to your lawyer and have him/her talk to mine."

Ø Don't rub in your legal victories. Losers try to get even.

Ø Make sure your mail is not intercepted by your difficult spouse. Consider getting a
post office box.

Ø Make sure your electronic messages and mail are not intercepted by your difficult
spouse. Change your providers, change your passwords, change your user names.

Ø Make sure there are no additional debts being incurred or debts increased. Get your free annual credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com) and continue to check it for discrepancies.

Ø Do not keep any files in connection with your case in your marital residence or any
other location where your difficult spouse could seize and obtain them, especially not
in your car if he/she still has keys, thus learning your entire case and strategy.

Ø Do not presume that your attorney received a document sent to you by someone
other than your lawyer. Call the office and inquire.

THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED TO BE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS OF DIVORCE AND DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE IN SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO AND IS NOT INTENDED AS LEGAL ADVICE ON YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS ONLY INTENDED TO ASSIST YOU IN UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS.

IF YOU SHOULD HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE OFFICE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT - 330-996-4099.

Call today to schedule an appointment with Melissa Graham-Hurd.
Ohio Divorce Attorney

Melissa Graham-Hurd
333 South Main St.
Suite 301
Akron, Ohio 44308
330-996-4099

The use of the Internet for communications with the firm will not establish an attorney-client relationship and messages containing confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Melissa Graham-Hurd provides legal services for clients in Akron, Barberton, Bath, Canal Fulton, Canton, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Green, Hudson, Jackson Twp., Lakemore, Macedonia, Massillon, North Canton, Norton, Peninsula, Springfield Twp., Stow, Twinsburg, Wadsworth, Wooster, Stark County, Summit County, Wayne County, and Medina County