Representing the Client from Hell: Divorce and the Borderline Client

Abstract

This article explores the difficulties that arise for divorce lawyers and their clients when the client has borderline personality disorder. The borderline is characterized by instability in interpersonal relationships, poor impulse control, chronic rage, and a pervasive fear of abandonment. Successful divorce requires the management of separation and strong emotions, adaptation to change, and the necessity of negotiation and compromise. These tasks constitute a severe challenge to the limited behavioral repertory of the borderline. For the borderline, divorce is like being in hell. And for the lawyer, this is a very difficult client to please.