Most married couples don’t anticipate divorce even though around 50% of marriages in the US end in divorce. Ending a marriage can be a painful experience but divorce can be even more challenging if one spouse is narcissistic. If you’re filing for divorce in Delaware, here are a few things to know.
Narcissists won’t accept blame
Narcissists always have to feel as though they are right. This means they will sometimes blame you for things that are their fault or refuse to accept when they’ve made a mistake. This can make the divorce process more difficult since the narcissist will go to great lengths to make you feel like you are solely to blame for the ending of the marriage. The narcissist may refuse to sign the divorce papers or fail to show up for court or mediation dates to make the situation even more emotionally taxing. These tactics are often used to get you to plead with the narcissist to cooperate, which feeds their ego but could lengthen the divorce proceedings.
Narcissists are manipulators
It is not uncommon for a narcissist to try and befriend the attorney, mediator, or judge in a divorce case. Narcissists work hard to make sure that no one can see their true selves, so they may come across as pleasant and charming to people who don’t know them well. The narcissistic spouse may also believe that by making a good impression on the judge, they can influence certain aspects of the divorce ruling. Narcissists may imply that you are not a fit parent or that you’re not good with managing money to sway the divorce ruling in their favor.
It may be helpful to speak with a therapist or counselor during and even after your divorce to help resolve any issues and move forward in the healthiest way possible.
