Legal Abuse And High-Conflict Divorces - Lisa Johnson

In this episode, Mardi Winder-Adams sits down with Lisa Johnson, co-founder of Been There, Got Out, to discuss the complex and often hidden world of legal abuse in high-conflict divorces. Lisa shares her personal journey of navigating post-divorce legal battles, not over custody, but over financial issues, and highlights the crucial role her attorney and an airtight parenting plan played in protecting her children. The conversation delves into the reality that a significant minority of divorce cases (approximately 15-20%) become highly conflicted and can drag on for years, often due to one party abusing the legal system. Lisa explains the concept of legal abuse, where the legal system is weaponized as a tool for control, harassment, and intimidation, either through repeated frivolous litigation or refusal to comply with court orders.She shares how this ongoing cycle can be emotionally and financially draining, and even traumatic, for those on the receiving end. The episode also explores the responsibilities and opportunities for the legal profession to address legal abuse, including how some attorneys and organizations are beginning to take action against unethical practices. Lisa expands on the importance of having court orders with clear deadlines and consequences and emphasizes seeking out professionals, attorneys, mediators, divorce coaches, and others, who are trained to handle high-conflict situations to minimize the need for court intervention. More about Mardi: Mardi Winder-Adams is a certified divorce transition and high-conflict divorce coach, with experience as a domestic violence client advocate and behavioral consultant for schools. She is a credentialed mediator with over 30 years of experience in helping people navigate conflict, manage the challenges of divorce, and focus on creating positive transitions, even at very stressful times in life. Mardi is the best-selling author of From I Do to I’m Done and The Other Side of Divorce. She speaks internationally on conflict resolution, divorce, communication, and developing emotional intelligence and resilience. Connect with Mardi:Email: [email protected]: https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/ About the Guest Lisa Johnson is the co-founder of Been There Got Out, a high conflict divorce coach and certified domestic violence advocate who has successfully represented herself through scores of court appearances. Her case, published in the Connecticut Law Journal, is being used as a legal precedent. Her live testimony helped pass Jennifers’ Law in Connecticut, the third state in America to expand its legal definition of domestic violence to include “coercive control.” She and her partner, Chris, the male half of Been There Got Out, coach people in high-conflict relationships, divorce, custody battles, and co-parenting hell so they have the chance of the best outcome in family court and beyond. They also offer a weekly Legal Abuse Support Group for those dealing with narcissistic opponents in legal matters. Their book, "Been There Got Out: Toxic Relationships, High-Conflict Divorce, and How to Stay Sane Under Insane Circumstances'' was released in March 2023. To get Lisa’s gift: https://beentheregotout.com/legal-abuse-tips/To connect with Lisa: Website: https://BeenThereGotOut.com