DuPage County High-Conflict Divorce Lawyer

Providing Strategies to Diffuse Tense Situations

Are You Facing an Emotionally-Charged Divorce?

High-Conflict Divorce Attorney Denise Erlich Can Help You Focus On What Matters Most

Nobody “wins” in a divorce. The dissolution of a marriage is an objective process, and as such, there is no emotional justice to be achieved in court. Remembering to keep the blinders on and push through the divorce process can be hard enough. This burden becomes especially heavy when conflict places additional pressure on divorcing spouses. At Erlich Law Office, high-conflict divorce attorney Denise Erlich understands the challenges you’re facing. Denise provides strategies to help diffuse tense situations, so you can focus on what matters most – your future.

What Is a High-Conflict Divorce?

High-conflict divorces involve emotionally-charged situations that are fueled by the unwillingness to settle disputes in a respectful, non-aggressive manner. In high-conflict divorces, disputes can be exacerbated by a high-conflict personality, the yearning for revenge, mental illness, or external factors that add additional complexities to divorce. These turbulent situations often result in a years-long, high-stakes standoff where compromise feels unattainable.

Divorce in itself is an emotionally taxing process. Divorcing a high-conflict personality adds additional stress to an already difficult situation. The complications introduced by a high-conflict spouse can drag out the divorce process, causing substantial financial burden for both parties. At Erlich Law Office, high-conflict divorce attorney Denise Erlich has first-hand experience with situations like yours. She can help to ease the burden of dissolving your marriage with your difficult spouse.

A high-conflict divorce can be brought about by a variety of circumstances. Common issues faced by spouses in a high-conflict divorce include:

Disputes Regarding Assets and Debts

A divorce may enter into a high-conflict state over asset and debt division. A spouse may intentionally hide or fail to disclose information about his or her financial standings. When spouses fail to agree to an equitable solution during the division process, or when one spouse is untruthful, the divorce process can drag on substantially.

High Net Worth

Divorcing a high net worth spouse adds additional complexity to the legal process. This is underscored if the couple failed to get a prenuptial agreement prior to marriage.

Disagreements Regarding Parenting Time or Parental Responsibility

The involvement of children in divorce can lead to additional areas of conflict for some couples. The inability to agree to a parenting plan or strategy may leave child custody or child support decisions up to the courts.

One Party Is Contentious, Vengeful, or a High-Conflict Personality

Each party’s personal disposition can contribute to the level of conflict present in a divorce. If one spouse approaches divorce negotiations with a high level of animosity, he or she is likely to create additional conflict. This can lead to the inability of the spouses to reach a compromise.

Abuse, Harassment, and Stalking

When a divorce involves a spouse that creates unsafe conditions for another spouse, whether through abuse, harassment, or stalking, the element of fear is added into an already emotional experience. This spouse is unlikely to cooperate with negotiations, and will likely prolong the divorce process.

Reducing Conflict During Divorce

The conflict that comes with the dissolution of your marriage can feel overwhelming. Couples filing for divorce can take steps to minimize conflict during proceedings, and subsequently reduce the emotional and financial fallout of divorce. Couples can reduce conflict through counseling, co-parent counseling, and attorney-guided mediation and negotiation. Additionally, couples can take personal responsibility for maintaining an amicable relationship during divorce proceedings. This can be accomplished by minimizing contact outside of negotiations and focusing on responsive, rather than reactive, communication. Divorce is not a win or lose situation, it is simply a process.

Pursuing Mediation and Negotiation With a High-Conflict Divorce Lawyer

Divorcing spouses seeking guidance can retain the help of a high-conflict divorce lawyer or mediator to ease the flow of negotiations. Using mediation and negotiation to process a divorce typically lowers costs, as it does not require a trial. This can be a difficult approach to incorporate when entering into a high-conflict situation. High-conflict divorce lawyer Denise Erlich can guide you through a non-confrontational, solution-focused approach to reach an equitable outcome in your divorce.

Divorcing an Abusive Spouse in Illinois

In some cases, a spouse may cross the line between simply being a high-conflict personality and being an abuser. If you are leaving an abusive spouse and fear for your safety, you are not alone. The Orders of Protection Attorney Denise Erlich can help you draft the necessary documents to prioritize your safety as you begin a new chapter.

High-Conflict Divorce Attorney Denise Erlich Also Handles the Following Case Types

Divorce attorney Denise Erlich handles family law cases in Cook County, Will County, DuPage County, and the surrounding counties. Denise helps families find sustainable solutions for a wide range of family legal issues.

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What Our Clients Say
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“Denise is an excellent divorce attorney. I had met with about 4 or 5 prior to having my consultation with her and knew immediately she was the best fit for me. Over the course of the year it took for my divorce, Denise was always available to talk, respond to emails/texts. She is a straight shooter and will not mislead you but instead helped guide my decisions with her legal expertise. I would HIGHLY recommend utilizing Denise if you are getting divorced.”

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~P.D.

FAQs About High-Conflict Divorce in Illinois

A high-conflict divorce is one that is further complicated either by external factors or by a high-conflict spouse. Factors that lead to a high-conflict divorce include infidelity, an inability to agree upon asset and debt division, high net worth, or abusive behaviors.

Divorcing spouses can take a variety of approaches to reduce conflict. Working with a divorce attorney, mediator, co-parenting counselor, or other neutral third party can help move negotiations forward. Additionally, taking personal steps, such as maintaining a responsive and cooperative disposition, can help smooth over conflict during divorce.

Emotional abuse, or other forms of abuse, can have an impact on the agreements reached during divorce. Child custody arrangements and parenting time may be impacted by a spouse’s abusive behavior.