Focusing On Family Law – And You
The outcome of a child custody dispute can shape your child’s future for years to come. In some cases that means little more than where the child is going to live and how much time each parent will spend with him or her, but in other instances the stakes are much higher. In fact, if you’re reading this post, then you might be concerned about how a child custody outcome could affect your child’s safety and well-being.
Be on the lookout for emotional abuse
While there are many types of abuse and neglect that can have an impact on your child and your custody case, one of the most common is emotional abuse. Emotional abuse can take many forms, and a lot of people don’t recognize the damage that it can cause to a child. Generally speaking, emotional abuse is anything that impairs a child’s sense of self-worth or his or her emotional development. Examples of emotional abuse include insulting the child through name calling, threatening violence against the child, using guilt as a manipulation tactic, yelling, and exhibiting dehumanizing behavior. These are just some of the many ways that emotional abuse can manifest.
Know the symptoms of emotional abuse
There are many symptoms of emotional abuse, but they will probably be pretty stark to you. For example, a child suddenly stating that they hate their other parent or a drastic change in behavior can be indicative of emotional abuse. So, too, can the child’s negative and degrading talk about himself or herself, as well as fear of the other parent. So if your child’s behavior or attitude towards his or her other parent suddenly changes, then you might want to investigate further.
Build a strong child custody case
Proving emotional abuse isn’t always easy. It can be quite challenging, in fact. That’s why you need to know how to build your child custody case. An attorney who is experienced in this area of the law can help you gather evidence and create a legal strategy that is persuasive and speaks directly to your child’s best interests. Hopefully then you can achieve a resolution that protects your child and fosters your relationship with him or her.
