Win A Narcissist Divorce Or Custody Battle By Playing Devil’s Advocate

If you're going through a a divorce or custody battle with a narcissist, you probably have a million different thoughts and feelings running through your mind.

It takes a lot of hard work to plan, organize, and prepare your course of action — even when you have a lawyer. 

While dealing with all of the different elements of a family court case can definitely induce a headache, it will all be worth it if you get a favorable outcome.

In this article, I'll discuss how you can win a narcissist divorce/ custody battle by playing a narcissist devil's advocate.

How To Get A Favorable Outcome Against A Narcissist

How can you get a favorable outcome in your high-conflict family court case? There are different components, but playing devil's advocate is a helpful tactic that many lawyers use. 

Judge Anthony says, “If you're in a high-conflict family court case, whether it be a divorce or custody case, you must be playing devil's advocate with everything you're going to say — outside and inside of court.

If you aren't playing devil's advocate, you're setting yourself up to lose.”

Here's why (and how) you should integrate being a devil's advocate into your family court case strategy: 

What Does It Mean to Play Devil's Advocate? 

By definition, being a devil's advocate in a situation means you're “someone who pretends, in an argument or discussion, to be against an idea or plan that a lot of people support, in order to make such people discuss and consider it in more detail.” 

You need to identify the early signs and some common red flags of a narcissist to deal with accordingly which most people fail at.

Some of those signs are the value of self-esteem/self-awareness of others.

The idea of a devil's advocate in a court case means to pretend you're on the other side — put yourself in the shoes of your ex and their lawyer.

When you come up with arguments to support your case without any self-doubt, what will the other side's response be? 

Judge Anthony says, “You need to be asking yourself—with everything you say and do inside and outside of court—what is the other side going to say about this? 

What will their response be, or what would their counterargument be? Write their potential counterarguments down, and then come up with your counterarguments and responses to help you win the case.”

If you want to specifically know how to win a case against a narcissist for divorce, you learn more here.

Thinking Two Steps Ahead of the Other Side

You need to be thinking two steps ahead if you're going to see a favorable outcome in your high-conflict family court case.

While there are many different factors to consider, remembering to think two steps ahead of the other side gives you a much higher chance of winning the case.

Take the time to map and organize your witnesses and physical evidence.

What will the other side respond with after you present each piece of evidence and your witnesses testify?

Write down everything.

Create a roadmap of what you're planning to use and fight in court, how the other side might respond, and how you'll respond to their counterarguments. 

Thinking two steps ahead of the other side could be the difference between winning and losing your divorce or child custody case.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. How can playing devil's advocate actually help me in my case against a narcissist?

As narcissit lack empathy, playing devil's advocate helps you to anticipate and prepare for the arguments and narcissist divorce tactics that will likely be used against you.

It allows you to step into their shoes and see your case from their perspective, which can reveal weaknesses in your own position that you may not have considered.

By identifying these potential weaknesses early, you can develop counterarguments, gather additional evidence, and strengthen your case.

This proactive approach can be particularly effective in a narcissist divorce or custody battle, as they may underestimate your ability to strategize and counter their moves.

2. Isn't it my lawyer's job to think of the counterarguments? Why do I need to play devil's advocate?

While it is indeed your lawyer's job to consider and prepare for counterarguments, it is beneficial for you to engage in this process as well.

You are the one who knows the most about your personal situation, the narcissistic abuse, and its personality.

Also, you are the only one who can share the emotional abuse experience you are facing with the person.

This insight is invaluable and can provide your lawyer with the context needed to formulate a more compelling case on your behalf.

Moreover, by playing devil's advocate, you become an active participant in your legal strategy, which can help you feel superior and more in control during what is often an emotionally difficult time.

3. How can I effectively play devil's advocate if I'm not familiar with legal strategies?

Playing devil's advocate in your divorce or custody case doesn't require you to be an expert in law; it requires you to think critically about your situation.

Start by considering what you know about your ex-partner's personality, their past behavior, and their likely tactics.

Discuss these with your lawyer to understand the legal implications.

Then, for each of your claims or pieces of evidence, ask yourself, "How might my ex challenge this?" and "What evidence or arguments could they use?"

Write down these potential challenges and discuss them with your lawyer to develop responses.

Your lawyer can guide you through the legal complexities, but your insights are crucial for a comprehensive strategy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, securing a favorable outcome in a divorce or custody battle against a narcissist requires meticulous preparation and strategic thinking.

Playing devil's advocate is not just a useful tactic; it is an essential part of your legal arsenal.

By anticipating the arguments of the opposing side, you can craft a more robust case for yourself.

Judge Anthony's advice underscores the importance of this approach, emphasizing the need to consider and counter every possible response from your adversary.

This method of thinking two steps ahead can transform your case from reactive to proactive, giving you the upper hand in the courtroom.

Remember, it's not just about the strength of your initial argument, but also about the depth of your strategic planning and your ability to pivot and adapt to the opposition's tactics.

By adopting the mindset of a devil's advocate, you not only prepare yourself for the challenges ahead but also increase your chances of emerging victorious in the complex and emotionally charged arena of family court.

If you're dealing with a covert narcissist who likes to charm everyone, you should register for Judge Anthony's free masterclass, “How To Beat A Narcissist In Custody Court So You Can Finally Get Some Peace.”