83-Navigating Legal Abuse: Strategies for High-Conflict Divorce With Lisa Johnson

What happens when your abusive ex turns the courtroom into their new battleground? For many domestic violence survivors, escaping the relationship is just the beginning of a harrowing journey through family court systems that weren't designed to handle complex abuse dynamics.

Lisa Johnson knows this battlefield intimately. After spending 10 years navigating 100+ court appearances across two states and successfully defending herself against a $4 million defamation lawsuit from her ex-husband, she's transformed her traumatic experience into a lifeline for others. As co-founder of Been There Got Out and author of books on toxic relationships and high-conflict divorce, Lisa specializes in helping survivors outwit legal abuse—when abusers weaponize the justice system to continue control, drain finances, and punish their victims.

In this eye-opening conversation, Lisa shares crucial strategies for documenting patterns of behavior, communicating strategically, and navigating alienation attempts when children become pawns in the power struggle. She explains why staying "for the kids" often causes more harm than protection, how to develop critical thinking in children facing manipulation, and the delicate balance of working with attorneys, guardian ad litems, and court evaluators who may not understand the dynamics of coercive control.

Most importantly, Lisa reminds listeners that abusers target strong, capable people—the "shining stars" who make them look good. "It's not because you're a loser that this is happening; it's because you're amazing," she emphasizes. For anyone facing the daunting prospect of family court after domestic violence, this episode offers practical tools, validation, and a reminder that with the right support, there is a path forward through seemingly impossible circumstances.

Lisa's Links:

https://beentheregotout.com/

https://www.1in3podcast.com/guests/lisa-johnson/

1 in 3 is intended for mature audiences. Episodes contain explicit content and may be triggering to some.

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If you are in the United States and need help right now, call the national domestic violence hotline at 800-799-7233 or text the word “start” to 88788.

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Cover art by Laura Swift Dahlke
Music by Tim Crowe