Dealing With a Narcissist During an Annapolis Divorce

Attempting an Annapolis Divorce From a Narcissist Brings Many Challenges

Narcissism is a real disease. All too often people use the term to describe someone who is full of himself or has a great deal of confidence. However, narcissism is a true psychological disorder that can cause harm to others, especially during a divorce.

Narcissists take great pride in proving to others that they are better than everyone else. If a narcissist is attempting to earn your affection, you will find that he will go to great lengths and spare no expense in order to prove to you just how amazing he really is. Once he has you, however, the jig is up and the real person comes out.

If you decide you want to leave this person, you will likely find that doing so is extremely difficult and will cause a messy Annapolis divorce.

The Traits of a Narcissist

You may be suspicious that your soon-to-be ex is a narcissist, and since most won’t admit to what they are, you won’t be able to flat out ask your husband and expect to receive an honest answer. However, you may be able to get an idea of if he really is by taking a look at the common traits:

• He has a grandiose sense of self-importance. For example, he may exaggerate his achievements and talents, and may expect to be recognized as superior even without those achievements.
• He requires excessive admiration.
• He is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him.
• He lacks empathy and is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
• He has a sense of entitlement, and has unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment.
• He displays arrogant and haughty behaviors and attitudes.
• He is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, brilliance, beauty, power or ideal love.
• He believes he is special or unique and should only interact with others who are on his level.
• He takes advantage of others to achieve personal gains.

If you are married to a narcissist and decide that you don’t want to be anymore, you may experience obstacles that those who aren’t married to such people wouldn’t.

What to Expect From a Narcissist

Narcissists don’t like to be wrong or to be told what to do. They like to believe they have the power and are superior to all those around them. This can make obtaining a divorce from one extremely stressful and difficult.

Along with the normal challenges of a divorce, narcissists often bring other stresses. Many believe they are superior to the law and don’t have to abide by its rules. People with this disorder are also typically competitive and are intrigued by the adversarial nature of law. They often use their skills of manipulation to help them during this time.

Narcissists can also try to make things very difficult for their exes during the divorce. It is common in divorce for narcissists to:

• Refuse to negotiate.
• Refuse to listen to their own lawyers.
• Use the children as pawns.
• Defy court orders.
• Refuse to provide financial information and documents.

Narcissists are also known to be abusive, which is certainly a concern during a divorce. Unfortunately, many don’t think that what they are doing is wrong, and actually believe that they are the victims. Being married to such a person is difficult, but you may find that getting a divorce is excruciating.

Get Your Money Ready

Expect your divorce to be long, complicated and drawn out. As a result, you’ll need to have a good amount of cash available. This may cause you to have to save for many years until you are finally able to file for divorce.

You’ll also want to have good credit. Having good credit allows you to get credit cards you may need in the future and personal loans. Establishing good credit may also take some time, but it will likely be worth it.

Gather Your Financial Paperwork

Your ex won’t want to make anything easy for you during this divorce, so he probably won’t provide you and your lawyer with anything you ask for, including financial paperwork. To prevent you from experiencing frustration and not getting the money you deserve, you’ll need to provide those documents yourself.

Plan ahead and start collecting the paperwork as soon as you begin to think of leaving. Grabbing everything you need may take a while, so give yourself plenty of time to come up with the documents.

Devise an Outstanding Legal Team

Since you’ll likely have a difficult divorce, you’ll need the help of experienced, talented and relentless lawyers. The attorneys of Jimeno & Gray, P.A., are just that. We have helped many clients who faced similar situations come out of their divorces on top.

Give us a call today to discuss your Annapolis divorce and find out how we may be able to help. Request your free copy of the book What Your Spouse Doesn’t Want You to Know: The Ultimate Guide to Divorce in Maryland, written by attorney Frank Gray when you call.