How to Handle a Contentious California Divorce

Around 95% of all divorce cases settle before they go to trial, either through communication and negotiation between spouses or through the use of alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation. However, for the 5% of divorces that are litigated in court, these cases are often high conflict and contentious between spouses. If you find yourself in a contentious divorce, there are steps that you can take to mitigate the conflict and resolve the case as quickly as possible. At the Law Office of Bradley S. Sandler, our divorce attorney is here to zealously advocate for your needs throughout every step of the process. Call or contact our office today to learn more.

Minimize Contact With Your Spouse

The first step that you should take in a high conflict divorce is to minimize contact with your spouse as much as possible. Let your attorney handle all communication with your spouse and their lawyer during the legal process. Do not engage or respond to phone calls, texts, emails, or other communication sent by your spouse. If you have children, limit contact only to parenting decisions. Minimizing contact substantially decreases the opportunities for conflict.

Create a Clear and Unambiguous Parenting Plan

If there are children involved, it is critical that you and your attorney draft a clear and unambiguous parenting plan. A parent looking to create conflict will often use custody, visitation, and parenting decisions as a means to fight. A fully comprehensive parenting plan can account for every special situation in your family and minimize the chances that your spouse can use your children as a way to incite further conflict.

Keep Your Opinions to Yourself

As difficult as it may be in high conflict divorce cases, it is important that you keep your opinions about your spouse and their actions to yourself. Do not vent to family, friends, in front of your children, or on social media about the contentiousness of your divorce. Your spouse may be able to use these statements against you when making arguments about child custody or other issues that may arise during the divorce proceedings.

Prepare for the Worst Case Scenario

Finally, you must be prepared for the worst case scenario at every stage of a high conflict divorce. The best way to do this is to come fully prepared, with evidence and arguments for every issue that may arise during litigation. This may include documentation, witness testimony, copies of your spouse’s social media or contentious communications, and more. You should also have an honest conversation with your attorney about what means most to you in the divorce and what you can part with in order to make the negotiation process as efficient as possible to finalize the divorce.

Call or Contact Our Office Today

The Law Office of Bradley S. Sandler has experience representing clients involved in high conflict divorce cases in the Los Angeles area. We are fully prepared to protect and defend your legal interests throughout the divorce process. To learn more about how our office can help in a contentious California divorce, call the office or contact us today to schedule a consultation.