The unlevel playing field and power imbalances.

Are these power imbalances an indication of something more sinister going on?

A high-conflict personality will rather litigate divorce and separation than come to the table to discuss things in a civilised adult manner. They will hide behind the legal process and have the lawyer do all the work, abuse by proxy. The high-conflict personality will have deep pockets they don’t mind spending on legal fees as they want to win at all costs. They lack empathy, have zero morals, and refuse to accept any responsibility for the abuse and psychological damage they are causing. If you do happen to engage them in mediation if the mediator is not knowledgeable about “coercive control” or “narcissistic abuse” then they will manipulate the mediator and will move the goalposts on the off ...