Child custody cases must focus on what’s best for the children; however, this can be virtually impossible for you to make happen if you’re walking away from a narcissist. The nature of narcissism means that the person can’t think of others. Instead, everything they do is based on what they feel and how things will make them look.
If you’re in a child custody battle with a person who has this mental health condition, you’re going to have to prepare for a lengthy battle. The chances of them working with you to come up with a child custody agreement quickly are slim. Because of this, you’ll have to set up your plan carefully.
As you battle with the narcissist, remember that they get their power from seeing how their actions impact others. Instead of fueling their purpose of making your life miserable, you can use your attorney as the go-between for all communication. Your lawyer should be able to discuss matters without having the same emotional reactions that you’ll have. This adds a buffer between you and your ex.
Another point to remember is that a narcissist will do whatever it takes to win, even if it means they have to resort to lying or stretching the truth. You’ll have to go into the process ready to protect yourself but try not to let the constant battles weigh on your mind. Put up an emotional barrier, so you aren’t impacted by those antics.
You’ll likely have to go to court to get a custody order set. Plan for this possibility from the start so that you aren’t left trying to get your case together at the last minute.