A lovely young woman sat across from me in my office on the upper east side a few weeks ago.
She lived nearby and a hair stylist in the neighborhood had recommended she call me.
During the consultation she said, “I think I have lost my mind. I’m worn out, depleted, and I have given up hope! I’ve heard you are a gifted divorce attorney with unique experience working with sociopaths. I hope you can help me!”
Emily was a highly accomplished pianist and mother of three. She said, “My husband, Brad, swept me off my feet 14 years ago. He was handsome, charming, and the most loving person I had ever known. However, he is not the man I am married to today. Over the years he has lied time and time again and cheated on me repeatedly. He never apologizes but twists everything so somehow it is my fault. He explained he had no choice but to cheat because I was sexually inadequate. He said, “What else am I to do? You are not performing your wifely duties.” She further explained she was afraid to leave him. She knew he would manipulate the children and turn them against her. He was cruel and would stop at nothing to hold on to her. He just kept chipping away at her, wearing her down, and today she was taking this first step by meeting me to get some long overdo help.
As a medically trained divorce attorney/mediator, I often work with spouses of sociopaths. I am uniquely equipped to identify and manage these types of personalities because of my medical degree and expertise.
Divorcing a sociopath can be a challenging and difficult process. Sociopaths, also known as individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), can display manipulative, deceitful, and destructive behaviors that can make the divorce process even more difficult.
If you're considering divorcing a sociopath or are already in the process of doing so, here are some tips and strategies to help you navigate this prickly path.
Educate Yourself About Psychopaths
The first step to divorcing a sociopath is to educate yourself about sociopathy. Understanding the nature of this disorder can help you recognize the sociopath's manipulative and deceitful tactics and can help you protect yourself and your interests during the divorce process.
You may also want to consider speaking with a mental health professional who has experience working with individuals with ASPD to gain additional insight. I often recommend mental health professionals who are part of my divorce team to assist in the overall divorce process when tackling the intricacies of sociopaths.
Gather Evidence
When divorcing a sociopath, it's important to have evidence to support your claims. Sociopaths may lie, manipulate, and deny wrongdoing, so it's essential to gather documentation and evidence to support your side of the story. This may include text messages, emails, financial records, and witness statements. Keep copies of everything, as your sociopathic spouse may try to destroy or alter the evidence.
Protect Your Finances
Sociopaths are often skilled at hiding assets and manipulating finances, so it's crucial to protect your financial interests. Consider hiring a financial planner or forensic accountant to help you identify and track down hidden assets. We provide some of the smartest and most experienced investigators to our clients to expose and find all the money their sociopathic spouse has cleverly squirrelled away.
Plan for Your Safety
Divorcing a sociopath can be dangerous, especially if they feel threatened or perceive that they're losing control. Make sure to take steps to protect yourself and the safety of your children, such as installing a security system, recording your conversations, and obtaining a restraining order if necessary.
Hire an Experienced Attorney/Mediator
When divorcing a sociopath, it's essential to have an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of dealing with a sociopathic spouse. Look for an attorney who has experience working with high-conflict divorces and has a track record of successfully handling cases involving sociopathic individuals.
Your attorney can help you navigate the legal system, protect your interests, and advocate for your rights. As an attorney/mediator with the these qualities myself, I also have a medical background as part of my representation. This affords me to provide a highly comprehensive support system for anyone with whom I work.
Remember to Love You
Divorcing a sociopath can be emotionally draining and stressful. Make sure to take care of yourself during the process by getting enough rest, eating healthily, and seeking support from friends and family.
Let me help navigate your high conflict divorce to a sociopath. Remember, you're not alone, and I, along with my professionally experienced divorce team, will create a safe and successful way for you to free yourself from the clutches of your spouse’s sociopathy.
If you are in a marriage that looks similar to Emily’s, I can help you!
Emily and her family are on the road to recovery right now. I, along with my divorce team of specialists, have secured support for her and the children, gotten exclusive occupancy of the marital residence and found some hidden assets in Dubai.
We will do the same for you!
My combination of legal and psychological strategies is unique and effective when it comes to divorce. The understanding and proper guidance for this complicated situation is important for a psychologically safe and legally successful outcome.
For more than 35 years as a divorce attorney and mediator, I have been successfully guiding spouses down the right path to a successful divorce.
I have the unique ability to provide a compassionate and productive process to see you through your divorce.
Our FREE 1-hour consultations are veryinformative and still conveniently conducted virtually!
I look forward to helping you and your family.
Warm regards,
Lois
If you think you are married to a sociopath and want a divorce, call New York Divorce Attorney Lois Brenner now to schedule your FREE consultation!
212.734.1551