Skip links

Share

High-Conflict Families Grounds for divorce

Every year over 1,000,000 couples divorce in North America. Prior to divorce, what factors contribute to high-conflict family separations?

Statistically, high-conflict separations are a small part of the total number of legal divorces, however, common-law separations across North America are increasing and legal marriages are declining slightly. There are no accurate yearly records for the total number of legal and common-law family separations in Canada and United States; however, it’s estimated about 2,500,000 adults separate each year. Some high-conflict families, who legally separate, don’t divorce for years and some never divorce.

High-Conflict separations often involve domestic violence issues between spouses, or sadly, between a parent and a child(ren). Alcohol use, illegal drugs, gambling problems, sex addictions, financial issues, mental health problems, etc. are significant contributors to domestic violence across North America. We know Family Courts are jammed with ongoing high-conflict family disputes. These legal disputes often affect other family relationships, such as between children and their grandparents. We also know Parental Alienation and Hostile Aggressive Parenting occur with increasing frequency. Financial disputes are a significant cause.

Mental health and Family Law Professionals recognize that family pressures caused by financial issues and economic instability, mental health and various depression problems, children’s behavioral issues, domestic violence, addiction disorders, personality control issues, and even anxiety associated with frequent high-tech product usage, etc., contribute to staggering court costs and healthcare expenditures for society. When these family problems occur during separation, they also contribute to exaggerated legal costs for that family.

Some parents incur expenses during separation and divorce that could be greatly reduced when both ex-spouses find ways to cooperate appropriately. Family Mediators strive to be collaborative and find “win / win” scenarios for both parties. When you solve problems collaboratively, both parties save money.

Help reduce “High-Conflict Separations”.

When Parents Do Well, Children Do Well