Respond to Hurtful Statements in Divorce?

Posted by Erin Birt | Apr 02, 2011 | 0 Comments

Hurtful statements can derail and/or prolong mediation and the collaborative process.  It is a common occurrence which must be addressed immediately in order to stay focused on the main goal of resolving a legal issue. This post will focus on whether to Respond to Hurtful Statements in Divorce?

Below are some general principles for how to handle hurtful statements during mediation or a collaborative meeting (or at home).

As a party, when a hurtful statement is directed to you, it is important to pause, breathe, think, and try not to respond immediately. If needed, ask to take a break. Give yourself time to acknowledge how you truly feel about the person's comments.  Often if you wait a few minutes to respond, you will understand better why the person said the hurtful statement.

Hurtful statements can be a result of ignorance, confusion, misunderstanding, or lack of information.  If you can determine the possible motivation for the hurtful statement, you can respond appropriately.

If you chose to respond, the following are general principles:

  1. Be direct.  Talk to the person that offended you and not to others.
  2. Be specific. Be brief and explain exactly what offended you.
  3. Be timely. Do not address this issue days or weeks later. Memories will fade and perceptions will change.
  4. Use “I” statements to communicate how the statements affected you.
  5. Explicitly state what changes you want the person to make. Ex: Do not make derogatory remarks in front of the children.
  6. Acknowledge change.  Express appreciation for the change in behavior, if possible.

Remember, not all hurtful statements need a response. If you determine the statement was made due to ignorance or ill will, it is okay to decline to respond.

A lot of time in mediation and settlement conferences is devoted to addressing hurtful statements. As a practitioner, keeping an open mind and asking additional questions when hurtful statements are made can help clear up misunderstandings and allow the parties to refocus and resume working on resolving the legal issues.

Contact us to protect your self from hurtful statements or to know how to Respond to Hurtful Statements in Divorce.

Schedule a Consultation with Attorney Erin Birt

About the Author

Erin Birt

Since 2003, Erin N. Birt, J.D., CADC has focused her practice on parenting time, divorce, mediation, and substance abuse issues. Ms. Birt's unique background in both family law and addictions counseling help her clients successfully navigate the complex issues of coparenting and divorce. Ms. Birt also devotes her time to presenting at continuing education seminars for attorneys, mediators, and counselors.

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Our Services

We help clients successfully and peacefully start a new chapter in their lives.

We offer in-person and remote meetings with clients.  Now more than ever is the best time to have a divorce attorney to navigate court restrictions, reopenings, and backlog of cases. 

  Learn more about our plan to keep our clients safe and informed during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Contact Us Today

Birt Law is committed to answering your questions about Family Law and Mediation issues. We'll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

The Law Firm of Erin N. Birt, P.C.
2100 Manchester Rd, #954
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-891-2478
630-597-2231 (fax)

Menu