Domestic violence may not be as easy to detect as you may initially think, even if you are the victim of it. In fact, domestic violence in the form of emotional abuse can go unrealized for years. But as soon as you notice the signs, you must protect yourself and your children by filing a divorce petition with the New Jersey family court. Follow along to find out how to prove emotional abuse in divorce court and how a proficient Bergen County domestic violence attorney at McNerney & McAuliffe can get you out of this toxic environment as swiftly as possible.
What are common examples of emotional abuse in a marriage?
Understandably so, you may not initially realize that your spouse is acting emotionally abusive toward you. But it may be in your best interest to reflect on your personal experience and compare it to the following examples of emotional abuse commonly found in marriages:
- Your spouse has frequently convinced you that you are to blame for situations that are beyond your reasonable control.
- Your spouse has frequently manipulated you into making decisions or doing activities that you are not comfortable with.
- Your spouse has frequently threatened to hurt you or hurt themselves to manipulate your behavior.
- Your spouse has frequently lost their temper or raised their voice at you for frivolous reasons.
- Your spouse has frequently isolated you from your friends and family for extended periods.
How do I prove my spouse’s emotional abuse in divorce court?
Unfortunately, it may not be enough to claim emotional abuse in the presence of the New Jersey family court. You may have to go as far as supplying evidence that points to these grounds for divorce as true. Evidently, this may be more difficult to obtain than proof of physical abuse; nonetheless, it is doable. With that being said, you may prove your spouse’s emotional abuse in the following ways:
- Take videos of incidents of your spouse’s emotional abuse playing out.
- Collect copies of digital evidence (i.e., voicemails, text messages, emails, etc.) that point to your spouse’s emotional abuse towards you.
- Retain copies of doctor’s notes that overview your mental health issues (i.e., anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.) caused by your spouse’s emotional abuse toward you.
- Hire expert witnesses (i.e., mental health experts) who can testify on your behalf regarding your spouse’s emotional abuse and its negative effect on your well-being.
- Ask witnesses if they are able and willing to testify on your behalf in the presence of the New Jersey family court.
You should not have to go through your divorce proceedings alone. Rather, you should seek the assistance of a talented Bergen County family law attorney from McNerney & McAuliffe. Call our firm today.
