High-Conflict Personalities: Divorce Lawyers’ Tactics for De-Escalation

Court Orders in Ontario

Understanding High-Conflict Personalities in Divorce Cases

When dealing with divorce cases, Toronto divorce lawyers often encounter individuals with high-conflict personalities people whose intense emotions and rigid thinking make resolution difficult. These cases require not only legal skill but also emotional intelligence and strategic communication.

Common Personality Traits

High-conflict individuals tend to exhibit patterns such as:

  • Blame-shifting – refusing to take responsibility and placing fault entirely on the other spouse.
  • Emotional reactivity – responding impulsively with anger, tears, or threats during negotiations.
  • Controlling behaviour – attempting to dominate conversations, dictate terms, or manipulate outcomes.