Even in the best of circumstances, divorce presents emotional, social and financial challenges. Dealing with a partner who engages in aggressive or other troublesome behaviors could make things harder.
If you must go to court against a manipulative partner, you should understand strategies that could help you prevail.
Understanding a manipulator
According to an article in Psychology Today, a manipulative personality often defies a simple definition. If you find yourself in a marital breakup with this type of individual, you could feel unbalanced and invalidated throughout the process. You might even think that the rules of the conflict always favor your partner in unfair ways.
All of this makes productive conversations elusive. Your partner might not even understand how he or she manipulates events or your emotions. A manipulator might tell blatant lies or he or she could simply describe events in a way that does not match the reality of the situation.
Negotiating with a manipulator
The first principle of dealing with a manipulative personality involves your personal safety. Beyond that, you should employ strategies that help you make your case in a courtroom or in negotiations. When possible, follow these sound principles:
- Know your rights and set reasonable limits
- Recognize your partner’s efforts to sow confusion
- Set boundaries in a clear and respectful manner
Once you have stated your case, it can help to walk away and trust the process. Your partner may soon come to realize your point of view and this could move the needle forward. The legal process of divorce gives you the opportunity to present your evidence and neutralize the gamesmanship of a manipulator.