Setting Boundaries: Effective Strategies for Dealing with a Partner Who Won’t Let Go

Putting an end to a relationship is always hard, no matter what the circumstances are and who initiated the breakup. However, leaving a relationship can be even more difficult if a partner refuses to let go. In such cases, a partner can try to manipulate you into changing your decision, control you, beg you to stay, or even threaten you. It is crucial to know how to set boundaries and protect yourself physically, emotionally, and legally. If you want to hear more about legal options when ending a relationship, reach out to our dedicated team of family law attorneys today.

Dealing with a Partner Who Refuses to Let Go

Here are some practical strategies that can help you deal with a partner who does not want to let you go after you Hcw clearly expressed an intention to put an end to a relationship:

Set Clear Boundaries and Be Firm

Letting yourself take a break from any communication or putting significant limitations on how and whether you allow the person to stay in touch with you will make the breakup process easier for you. It will help you enter the healing stage of your breakup sooner, while also letting you create the necessary physical and emotional distance from a former partner to process your feelings and move on.

Establish Communication Rules

In some cases, if you and your former partner have children and/or any type of assets that you share (such as a house), communication after a breakup can still be necessary. Set very clear, firm, and respectful communication boundaries. Ensure that the other person abides by these rules.  Do not let the other person come up with excuses to contact you on their terms if it is in violation of your boundaries. Create and share a specific list of communication rules, including but not limited to the types of communication, times, frequency, and topics of conversations that you require to be followed if communications are desired or necessary.  It cannot be overstated the importance of sticking to these rules and requiring the other person to communicate with you only within the confines of these rules. Of course, if there are children of the couple, you must also ensure that the children are not used as messengers for the other person to circumvent the rules.  While setting these boundaries, you must respect the other party’s right to communicate with the children if they are in your presence, but this should not be used as a means to inappropriately communicate with you.

Get Emotional Help

Breakups are challenging for everyone. Getting out of a relationship with a partner who does not want to accept your decision to put an end to a relationship can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Your partner may attempt to make you feel guilty or blame you inappropriately for the end of the relationship. Even if you are fully committed to a breakup, there usually will be feelings of doubt, loneliness and sadness. Surround yourself with loved ones who can provide some support for you throughout the process and distract you from experiencing negative emotions. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings with close friends and loved ones.  It is also important to keep busy and engage in activities that you enjoy.  However, seeking professional help can make the process less stressful while also ensuring that you know some professional techniques on how to deal with negative emotions associated with ending a relationship and going through a difficult breakup.

Understand Existing Legal Protection and Seek Help if Necessary

Knowing in advance what legal options are available to you in case your former partner refuses to let you go, threatens, stalks, or harasses you will help you protect yourself from inappropriate or threatening behavior. Family court orders in the form of “no-contact orders,” cyber harassment prevention orders, and anti-stalking orders are only some of the existing legal protections that may be provided to you by a court. To explore these and many other options available to you, contact our dedicated team of family law attorneys today.

Contact Us to Learn More About Effective Strategies for Dealing with a Partner Who Won’t Let Go

Dealing with a partner who is unwilling to accept the end of a relationship and let you go is emotionally exhausting and can take a toll on your well-being. Knowing effective strategies to protect yourself both emotionally and legally is the key to overcoming situations like that and protecting your physical and emotional health.

Get in touch with a family law attorney at Moskowitz Law Group today to learn more about establishing your boundaries and available legal protections.