Divorcing a narcissist in New Jersey is no easy task. A narcissistic spouse will try every possible tactic to make your life unpleasant during the divorce, especially if they weren’t the one to request the divorce. Narcissists are compelled to do anything in their power to maintain the upper hand, so financial and emotional abuse are not out of the question.
It’s no secret that divorce can be hard on your personal finances. That’s already true during a “typical” divorce, even before taking into account the extreme actions your narcissist spouse is willing to take. If you hope to end up with an equitable distribution of your assets and a shot at a healthy financial future, here are three things you must do during your divorce from a narcissist.
Keep Immaculate Records
Narcissists aren’t afraid to twist the truth to get what they want. Your spouse may try to make outlandish claims about your shared finances in an attempt to end up with more assets. Their claims won’t stand if you have documentation to disprove what they’ve said. Start compiling financial documents as soon as you sense a divorce in your future. These documents may include bank and credit card statements; information pertaining to investment and retirement accounts; and appraisals of valuable assets such as homes and collectibles.
Also pay attention to your incoming mail, even if it’s from accounts you don’t normally manage. Narcissists will often make changes to investment and retirement accounts and other assets at the beginning of the divorce so they’ll have more control over how these assets are eventually divided.
Consider Your Credit Score
Narcissists are all about keeping up appearances, which often means using credit to buy flashy clothes, cars, jewelry, and other assets. When you go through a divorce, you don’t only split up those assets; you’re also partially responsible for paying off your marital debt. If you have a lot of credit card debt in your name at the time of your divorce, you’ll be responsible for paying it off in the future.
Having been married to a narcissist, it’s highly likely your credit was sacrificed to get your spouse what they wanted during the marriage. They may have even used your credit without your knowledge, causing years of financial damage in your name. Check your credit regularly during the divorce, and do whatever you can to increase your credit score. After the divorce is finalized, it’s highly likely you’ll need acceptable credit to secure a car loan, mortgage, or personal loan.
Work with Experienced New Jersey Divorce Lawyers
During a low conflict or uncontested divorce, you may be able to get away with filing your own paperwork and attending mediation on your own. That’s not the case when you’re divorcing a narcissist and your future finances are on the line. Get in touch with a family law firm in New Jersey as soon as you know divorce is imminent. Or, if you’d like to better understand how things will play out if you do decide to file for divorce, consider divorce consulting.
Many narcissists’ tactics cross the line into emotional, financial, or physical abuse, which can be difficult for some lawyers to handle. The Micklin Law Group’s divorce attorneys for men are committed to representing all men, including men who have been the victims of spousal abuse and domestic violence. We know divorce can be intimidating because it really does encompass so many areas of your life; your family structure, finances, and mental health can all be negatively affected. Let our team of divorce lawyers for men help you stand up to your narcissist spouse and protect your rights. Call our Nutley, NJ office at 973-562-0100 to get started.
