Frank Underwood is a ruthless, diabolical, conniving politician and sociopath in House of Cards.  Frank is ambitious, intelligent, conniving, smooth, and charming. However, beneath that charismatic and alluring veneer is a classic sociopath who knows the political game and has a meteoric rise from the United States House of Representatives majority whip to President of the United States through murder, deception, and treachery. Frank Underwood is power-hungry, manipulative, and morally corrupt, and is the definition of a sociopath.

What is a sociopath

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines a sociopath as someone who has a persistent indifference to rules, regulations, and social norms and is a repeated offender of other people’s rights.

If you are looking for a partner who has these traits, here are your red flags.

Frank Underwood was apathetic toward right and wrong and overlooked social norms

Frank Underwood has a total disregard for justice, virtue, ethics, laws, and morality.

Murder is an apparatus to get rid of problems. Frank backs Congressman Peter Russo in the beginning. However, Underwood later kills him by flooding his car with carbon monoxide.

Frank develops an intimate relationship with reporter Zoe Barnes.  Zoe ends their relationship as she is investigating the apparent suicide of Congressman Peter Russo. Underwood meets Zoe Barnes in the subway. Frank pushes her into the path of an oncoming train when she least expects it. Frank shows no regret, remorse, or hesitation.

Lying constantly and being deceitful to exploit others

Frank Underwood the sociopath is the Machiavellian political puppet master who lies all the time to everyone around him. Franks backstabs and lies to Michael Kern, Former Secretary of State Nominee, Raymond Tusk, Business Advisor and Advisor to the President, Donald Blythe, Former New Hampshire Member of the House, and President Garret Walker. Frank blackmails Peter Russo, a former candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. His lies cause a problem between the President and Raymond Tusk and his lies regarding his wife’s abortion.

Heartless, cynical, reckless, and flippant of others

Frank can be seen starting his day with a rack of ribs, because ‘I’m feelin’ hungry today!’ He talks to the audience a lot and describes the White House Chief of Staff: ‘She’s as tough as a two-dollar steak’, an enemy the way ‘you devour a whale. One bite at a time.’ He describes Michael Kern (Underwood’s Secretary of the Treasury): ‘I almost pity him. He didn’t choose to be put on my platter. When I carve him up and toss him to the dogs, only then will he confront that brutal, inescapable truth.’

A complete lack of remorse for his personal actions

Frank Underwood is only looking out for himself in every situation. He tells Zoe ‘You don’t want to work anywhere you’re not willing to get fired from, Zoe. Treading water is the same as drowning, for people like you and me. Garret Walker asked, “Are you letting pride cloud your judgment, Frank?”,  Frank replies ‘Respectfully, sir, you’re allowing  fear to cloud yours.’

A sociopath only knows about abusive relationships

Frank Underwood claims he loves his wife by saying ‘I love that woman. I love her more than sharks love blood.’ However, he allows his wife to be in a threesome with his bodyguard. Frank allows a reporter to live in the White House and sleep with his wife Claire Underwood. He tells Zoe ‘everything is about sex except sex. Sex is about power.’ Claire wants to have sex with him but he avoids it. He wants the balance of power in his marital relationship.

The media loves Don Draper in Mad Men, Francis Underwood in House of Cards, Ramsey Snow, Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones, Dr. Gregory House in House, Dexter Morgan in Dexter, and Hannibal Lecter. All good-looking charming men. However the wolf in sheep’s clothing does not like to follow rules, is a pathological liar, arrogant superficially charming, impulsive, and abusive, constantly guilt trips you, lacks empathy, does not have close friends, lacks boundaries, and does not forgive.

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Few events in life can be as profound and challenging as a divorce. It is one of the most painful and emotional experiences. You get angry, lonely, anxious, bitter, and desperate. Your identity is at stake and it can shake the very foundation of your life.

You have to deal with a number of issues: financial, emotional, professional, parenting, health, and spiritual. This article will deal with only the financial aspect of a divorce.

Legally this is a life-changing event. It is in your best interest to separate emotional attachment from strategic decisions.

Mediation, arbitration, litigation, and the collaborative process are some of the legal choices available. You need to educate yourself and see which is the most beneficial to you.

Mediation is a safe process provided by a neutral third party to help resolve issues that arrive during the divorce. It saves you money compared to going to court. You participate in the resolution.

Arbitration is a procedure in which a dispute is resolved by the agreement of parties to a binding decision by one or more arbitrators.

Collaborative Divorce is a family law process. It helps couples work with their lawyers in order to avoid uncertain outcomes in court. It best meets the specific needs of both parties and their children without the underlying threat of contested litigation.

Litigation is a process where your lawyer represents you in court. A judge makes the final decision. This can become a long, expensive, and cumbersome process. You should choose a lawyer that specializes in family law, and make sure you have a written fee agreement.

Have realistic expectations. A divorce will affect your lifestyle. Prepare a budget for yourself. Write down all your income minus your expenses. Differentiate between wants and needs. Try to stay away from debt.

Check your credit report. If all your credit cards were in both names, cancel the cards and order new ones in your sole name. Inform the credit agencies about your divorce.

Inform your bank and close the joint accounts. Open an individual account.

A house will be a major asset that belongs to both of you. Calculate the total carrying and operating costs to see if you can afford it on one salary. If not then you need to consider selling the house.

Check for beneficiaries on TFSA, RRSP, RRIF, LIF, and Life Insurance policies. Life insurance policies have an option of revocable or irrevocable beneficiaries. Remember to have your will updated.

Have the pension appraised. Some plans are easier to value and contribute. Others have a vesting schedule, defined benefits, and defined contributions.

Would you rather have a forty thousand-dollar BMW or a forty thousand-dollar GIC when dividing assets?   If you look at it from a depreciation point of view then the GIC is a better asset.

In the eyes of the Canada Revenue Agency, not all assets are equal. So, consider all the tax issues. A spousal RRSP cashed within the first three years will become income for the contributor rather than the recipient.

Make sure you have adequate health coverage. A visit to the dentist without coverage is expensive.

A divorce can put your best-laid plans to ruin. Focus on the future and make some good financial decisions.

Photo Credits: Eric Ward Bill Oxford Melinda Gimpel

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