What Do I Need to Know About a High Conflict Divorce in North Carolina?

A high conflict divorce is exactly what it sounds like. This is a separation that involves heated arguments, in which neither spouse is willing to back down or compromise on key issues related to the divorce. These types of divorces are lengthy, time-consuming, stressful, and expensive. Most couples in Monroe obviously want to avoid this type of situation whenever possible. In addition to being stressful, high conflict divorces can take up years of your life and cost you significant legal fees.

High conflict divorces arise when couples cannot agree on certain aspects of their separation agreement. In the ideal world, both couples would resolve all their differences outside of court, coming to an agreement on all their issues and drafting a separation agreement with the help of an attorney. This agreement would then be presented to a judge, who would simply review it and sign it if everything is in order.

Unfortunately, things are not always this simple in Union County. While many couples split amicably, divorces tend to involve high levels of emotion and many disputes. After all, people do not just end marriages for no reason. There must be a central cause for the split — an argument or incident that ended the marriage. This argument will obviously spill out into the divorce proceedings, and it can result in tense standoffs in which neither spouse is willing to budge. In these situations, the only real option is to go to trial and have a judge and jury resolve the issue.

If you are approaching a high conflict divorce, it makes sense to have a qualified, experienced divorce attorney by your side. These legal advocates are important assets in the courtroom, and they can use a range of different strategies to help you achieve a positive legal outcome. If your spouse is serious about the upcoming legal battle, you can bet that they will hire the best lawyer they can find. You need to do the same if you want any chance of resolving your divorce in a favorable manner.

Why Do High Conflict Divorces Happen?

High conflict divorces are generally the result of existing arguments or vendettas between spouses. It is not difficult to imagine how these conflicts might have arisen, and they often result from incidents that have occurred during the marriage. Understanding the root cause of a high conflict divorce is important. When you understand a spouse’s motives and their reasons for certain disputes, it becomes easier to present a strong case in court. Here are a few examples of why a high conflict divorce might happen:

Infidelity during the marriage can leave spouses feeling bitter and vengeful, and they might look at a divorce as a means to “get even”
Spouses might have lied and made false accusations repeatedly during the marriage, causing the other spouse to take a strong stance against them during the divorce
One spouse might have used trusts and other financial methods to conceal funds or prevent spouses from receiving alimony, pieces of marital property, or child support
One spouse might feel like they still have a chance to keep the marriage together. They may dispute virtually every aspect of the divorce in order to prolong the inevitable
Many spouses develop mental disorders as they struggle to cope with the situation. This can cause them to act in strange, irrational ways during a divorce

Common Aspects of a Divorce That Might Be Disputed

There are many aspects of a divorce that might be disputed in a high conflict divorce. For the most part, spouses tend to argue about important topics, such as:

Child Custody: Spouses often want to keep their children in their lives and will fight hard to gain primary custody.
Child Support: Some spouses may feel like they are being asked to pay too much child support. Other spouses may feel like they’re not being paid enough. Either way, this aspect of a divorce can lead to serious conflicts.
Alimony: Spouses are often unhappy about paying alimony after a divorce, and they may do everything in their power to avoid making these payments. On the other hand, a financially dependent spouse may feel like their alimony payments are inadequate.
Property Division: Disputes during the equitable distribution process in North Carolina are common. Couples can argue over everything from real estate and stocks to family pets and cars.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Divorce Attorney Today

If you have been searching Union County for a qualified, experienced divorce attorney, look no further than Arnold & Smith, PLLC. We have ample experience with high conflict divorces, and we have helped many clients walk away from their marriages with confidence. Regardless of whether you are fighting a legal battle over child custody, alimony, or property division, we can help you achieve your goals in the courtroom. Reach out today, and we can develop an action plan together.