Finding Peace After the Storm: When the Past Won’t Stay in the Past

A Narrative Story of Post-Divorce Empowerment and Protection

Maria* stood on the balcony of her hotel room in Buenos Aires, watching the sunrise paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. For the first time in years, she felt genuinely happy. The divorce that had consumed her life eighteen months ago was behind her, and she was finally living the life she’d dreamed of—traveling, exploring new opportunities, and most importantly, feeling free.

But even paradise couldn’t shield her from the past.

Her phone buzzed with a message that made her stomach drop. It was from her ex-husband, and the familiar knot of anxiety began forming in her chest. After scrolling through his latest attempt to insert himself into her life, she discovered the real problem: he had contacted the police to do a “wellness check” on her elderly parents, claiming concern for their wellbeing.

“I felt like I was right back in that dark place,” Maria later recalled. “Here I was, thousands of miles away, finally experiencing joy again, and he found a way to reach me through my parents. The worst part was knowing my mom had to deal with police showing up at her door right after she’d returned from her own vacation.”

The pattern was all too familiar. Throughout their marriage and during the divorce proceedings, her ex-husband had shown a talent for framing his controlling behavior as concern for others. He would present himself as the caring, responsible party while creating chaos and stress for everyone around him.

That’s when Maria reached out to Matthew Ludt at Atticus Family Law, the attorney who had guided her through her divorce with such care and strategic thinking. Even though their professional relationship had ended, she knew she needed the same clarity and empowerment that had helped her navigate the divorce process.

“I was embarrassed to contact Matt again,” Maria admitted. “I felt like I should have been able to handle this on my own. But I also knew that this wasn’t just about me anymore—my parents were being dragged into this, and I needed to protect them.”

Matt’s response was immediate and comprehensive. Rather than dismissing her concerns or treating this as a minor follow-up issue, he provided Maria with concrete tools and strategies to document the harassment and protect her family. More importantly, he helped her understand that seeking help wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a sign of growth and self-advocacy.

The resources Matthew provided were exactly what Maria needed: a clear framework for documenting harassment, a template for a cease-and-desist letter, and most importantly, the confidence to set firm boundaries with her ex-husband. He also shared educational materials that helped Maria understand her options for obtaining a harassment restraining order if the behavior continued.

With Matthew’s guidance, Maria crafted a clear, firm message to her ex-husband, demanding that he cease all contact with her parents and stop using them as a way to insert himself into her life. The letter was professional but unambiguous—a boundary drawn in permanent ink.

“Sending that message felt incredibly empowering,” Maria recalled. “For so long, I had been reactive, just trying to manage whatever chaos he created. But this time, I was being proactive. I was taking control and protecting the people I love.”

As Maria continued her travels through South America, she felt a renewed sense of confidence and peace. The harassment stopped, her parents felt safe and supported, and Maria was able to continue building the joyful, independent life she had worked so hard to create.

*This story is based on the true facts of a former client, who for these purposes is called Maria, but the personal experiences and emotions described herein are a fictional representation to bring the interaction to life.