Navigating a High Conflict Divorce in Mediation with Liz Merrill | Episode 162

Podcast Summary: Understanding High-Conflict Divorce | Divorce at AltitudeIn this episode of Divorce at Altitude, Amy Goscha is joined by mediator and divorce coach Liz Merrill to discuss the realities of high-conflict divorce. Liz shares both her professional insight and personal experience, explaining how high-conflict cases differ from typical divorce matters and why they require a more thoughtful and strategic approach. Together, they explore what defines a high-conflict individual, how these cases affect mediation and legal strategy, and what support systems can help spouses navigate the process more safely and effectively.Guest Information Liz Merrill is a divorce mediator and divorce coach based in the Fort Collins area. She specializes in high-conflict divorce cases and helps individuals navigate separation, mediation, and communication with difficult or high-conflict spouses. Through her work, she supports clients in setting boundaries, preparing for the divorce process, and developing strategies that reduce unnecessary escalation.Episode HighlightsWhat High-Conflict Divorce Really Means Liz explains that high-conflict divorce can involve either two escalated parties or one high-conflict spouse and one reactive spouse trying to survive the situation.Traits of a High-Conflict Individual The discussion explores common patterns such as black-and-white thinking, emotional reasoning, dishonesty, self-focus, and using children or money as tools of control.How Divorce Coaching Helps Before Filing Liz describes how she helps clients prepare before formally starting the divorce process, including gathering financial documents, identifying safety concerns, and creating a plan.When Mediation Can and Cannot Work Amy and Liz discuss why some high-conflict cases can still be mediated, while others require attorneys and court involvement because of power imbalances or lack of good-faith negotiation.Communication and De-Escalation Tools Liz shares techniques like mirroring, labeling, tactical empathy, gray rock, and yellow rock to help reduce conflict and keep difficult interactions from spiraling.What is Divorce at Altitude? Ryan Kalamaya and Amy Goscha provide tips and recommendations on issues related to divorce, separation, and co-parenting in Colorado. Ryan and Amy are the founding partners of an innovative and ambitious law firm, Kalamaya | Goscha, that pushes the boundaries to discover new frontiers in family law, personal injuries, and criminal defense in Colorado. To subscribe to Divorce at Altitude, click here and select your favorite podcast player. To subscribe to Kalamaya | Goscha's YouTube channel where many of the episodes will be posted as videos, click here.  If you have additional questions or would like to speak to one of our attorneys, give us a call at 970-429-5784 or email us at [email protected].************************************************************************DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS ON THIS PODCAST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE. CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE OR AREA TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY OF THESE ISSUES.