Emotional Abuse In Custody

Summary

In Indiana, emotional abuse in custody cases can be recognized if it creates an environment of fear or control. Documenting instances, gathering statements, and seeking evaluations from mental health professionals are crucial steps. Text messages and conversations can be used in court, so ensure communications are respectful. Violating autonomy includes making unilateral decisions and controlling behavior. Consult a family law attorney for guidance on modifying visitation or addressing boundary issues.

Full Conversation

Can it be seen as emotional abusive that my teens are uncomfortable telling the dad no or standing up for plans that have with me
Hi ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In Indiana, emotional abuse can be recognized in various forms, including situations where someone feels intimidated or unable to express themselves freely.
- Indiana Code IC *-*-*-* defines emotional abuse in the context of child abuse.
- If the behavior creates an environment of fear or control, it may be considered emotional abuse.
Does this situation occur regularly, and how has it impacted your teens' well-being?
How do I prove that ex's control during his visitation is a form of emotional abuse and mental stress
To prove emotional abuse and mental stress in Indiana:
- Document any instances of your ex's controlling behavior, including dates, times, and specific actions.
- Collect statements from your teens about their feelings and experiences.
- Seek evaluations from mental health professionals who can attest to the emotional impact on your children.
- Gather any other relevant evidence such as emails, texts, or witnesses.
Does this situation occur regularly, and how has it impacted your teens' well-being?
My teens have said that when their dad is present the feel a sense of obligation to sit with him and avoid me. Is this because of something I have done or because of the control and manipulation they sense from their father
Hi ****, I understand this situation is difficult for you. To better assist you, could you provide more details on how your teens' behavior changes when they are with their father? This will help in understanding whether it may be due to his influence or other factors.
The avoid sitting with me at school functions or atheltic events. Will ignore or not speak up about plans we have to purchase a tie and instead will go along with their dad to buy it instead
Hi ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In Indiana, emotional abuse is taken seriously, especially when it involves children. Here are some steps you can take:
- Continue documenting specific instances and behaviors.
- Gather more statements from your teens.
- Consult a family law attorney for guidance.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals who can help?
My ex states that I am the one with the probelm and trying to alienate him
Hi ****,
I'm sorry to hear you're going through this. In situations involving claims of parental alienation, Indiana courts will consider both sides. Here are steps you can take:
- **Document**: Keep detailed records of any instances of controlling behavior and its impact on your teens.
- **Communication**: Save communications (texts, emails) that may support your claims.
- **Professional Help**: Seek evaluations from mental health professionals for your teens.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals who can help?
I saved him from a nasty custody battle that could have brought up his emotional infidelity, purchasing prescriptions from overseas that he did not have a doctors prescription for, quitting his job and being unemployed before the divorce and the toxic, volatile fights that the kids experienced during our marriage
Hi ****, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot. To assist you further, I recommend focusing on the current issue with your teens.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals in Indiana who can help support your case on emotional abuse and parental alienation?
What legal grounds do I have to protect myself and teens from him interjecting himself back in our lives that we have rebuilt.
Hi ****,
To protect yourself and your teens legally in Indiana, consider these steps:
- **Restraining Order**: You may seek a protective order if there's harassment or emotional abuse.
- **Modify Custody**: File for a modification of custody or visitation rights due to emotional abuse.
- **Document Evidence**: Continue documenting any abusive behaviors and their impact.
- **Consult an Attorney**: Contact a family law attorney for guidance on your specific case.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana?
Can my talks with my teens be used against me
Hi ****,
In Indiana, your conversations with your teens can potentially be used in court, especially in family law cases. Here are some points to consider:
- **Relevance**: The content of your discussions may be scrutinized for relevance to the case.
- **Recording Laws**: Indiana is a one-party consent state, meaning only one person involved in the conversation needs to consent to recording.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys who can provide specific advice for your situation?
Can he use texts messages from me that he says is harassment. When even though confrontational and assertive, were not harassment. I am defending my rights as a custodial parent
Hi ****,
In Indiana, text messages can be used as evidence in court. Whether they are considered harassment depends on their content and context. Here are a few points to consider:
- **Context**: The court will review the messages in context.
- **Content**: Ensure your messages are factual and focus on the well-being of your children.
- **Documentation**: Keep records of all communications.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana?
What happens if my messages got deleted
Hi ****,
If your messages got deleted, it might make it more challenging to present evidence. However, there are a few steps you can take:
- **Recovery**: Attempt to recover deleted messages from backups or through your service provider.
- **Other Evidence**: Gather other forms of evidence such as emails or witness testimonies.
- **Professional Help**: Consult a family law attorney for advice on your situation.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys who can assist you with this?
Is standing up for my custodial rights considered harassment
Hi ****,
Standing up for your custodial rights is generally not considered harassment. However, it's important to ensure your communications are respectful and focused on the well-being of your children.
- **Context**: The court will consider the context of your actions and communications.
- **Content**: Ensure your actions are centered on your children's best interests.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
Is stating that I will be interested in hearing his justifcations in court considered harassment
Hi ****,
Stating that you will be interested in hearing his justifications in court is generally not considered harassment if done in a factual and non-threatening manner.
- **Context**: The nature and tone of the statement are important.
- **Content**: Ensure your communication is respectful and focused on resolving the issue.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
I stating that he is not entitled to make unilateral decisions, interfere or undermine my parental time considered harassment
Hi ****,
Stating that your ex is not entitled to make unilateral decisions or interfere with your parental time is generally not considered harassment if communicated respectfully and factually.
- **Context**: Ensure the tone is non-threatening.
- **Content**: Focus on the well-being of your children and the facts.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
If I had graciously given him midweek visitation, above and beyond court order, and he elected to not partake in it for year. Does he have the right to automatically tell the teens he is resuming without discussing with me
Hi ****,
In Indiana, if your ex has not used his midweek visitation rights for a year, he should ideally discuss resuming them with you. Here are some points to consider:
- **Court Order**: Adhere to the existing court order for visitation.
- **Communication**: Effective co-parenting requires communication and mutual agreement.
- **Best Interests**: Focus on the best interests of your teens.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
Does the noncustodial parent's willful displays to refuse to communicate warrant a modification in visitation
Hi ****,
In Indiana, a noncustodial parent's refusal to communicate can potentially warrant a modification in visitation if it negatively impacts the well-being of the children. Here are some steps you can take:
- **Document Instances**: Keep detailed records of communication issues.
- **Impact on Children**: Show how the lack of communication affects your teens.
- **Consult an Attorney**: Seek advice on filing for modification.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
Does the noncustodial parent have the right to tell me he does not have to communicate with me. That he can and will continue to talk with his sons
Hi ****,
In Indiana, effective co-parenting typically requires communication between both parents for the best interest of the children. However, the noncustodial parent does not have to communicate with you about all matters but should cooperate on significant decisions affecting the children.
- **Court Order**: Review the custody agreement for specific communication requirements.
- **Best Interests**: Focus on the well-being of your children.
- **Consult an Attorney**: For specific legal advice, consider consulting a family law attorney.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
Is it in the best interest of the teens to have parents who are contentious to share same church home
Hi ****,
In Indiana, the best interests of the children are paramount in custody and visitation matters. If attending the same church causes significant stress or conflict for the teens, it may not be in their best interest. Here are some considerations:
- **Impact on Children**: Assess how the situation affects your teens emotionally and mentally.
- **Alternative Arrangements**: Explore different church services or activities to minimize conflict.
- **Consultation**: Speak with a family law attorney or a child psychologist for personalized advice.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals in Indiana?
Non custodial parent proclaims his intent on attending the same church as that tteens and I because he believes his physical presence is important to the teens. Even though him sits alone in the sancutary becuase the teens are involved in youth ministry services.
Hi ****,
I understand this situation is complex. In Indiana, the best interests of the children are the primary concern. If the non-custodial parent's presence at the same church is causing discomfort or stress to the teens, it may be worth discussing with a family law attorney. Here are a few steps you might consider:
- **Evaluate Impact**: Assess how this affects your teens.
- **Communicate**: Address concerns with the non-custodial parent.
- **Legal Advice**: Consult a family law attorney for guidance on potential actions.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana?
Can it be seen as interference, control and manipulation to say he wants to be a part of their church even though they dont sit with him during the service. They are actively involved in youth programs.
Hi ****,
In Indiana, whether your ex's actions can be seen as interference, control, and manipulation depends on the impact on your teens and the context. Here are some considerations:
- **Impact on Teens**: Assess how his presence affects your teens emotionally and mentally.
- **Behavior**: Document any controlling or manipulative behavior.
- **Best Interests**: Focus on what is best for your teens.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals in Indiana?
Feels like this is more a direct attack on violating my boundaries and imposing in our relationships we have formed
Hi ****,
I understand your concerns about boundaries and the impact on your relationships. In Indiana, maintaining healthy boundaries is crucial for both you and your teens' well-being. Here are some steps you can consider:
- **Document**: Keep detailed records of any behavior that feels like boundary violations.
- **Communication**: Address your concerns directly and respectfully with your ex.
- **Legal Advice**: Consult a family law attorney to explore options for modifying visitation or addressing boundary issues.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana who can assist you further?
What is considered a boundary violation
Hi ****,
In Indiana, a boundary violation can include:
- **Physical Intrusion**: Entering personal space without consent.
- **Emotional Manipulation**: Actions that cause emotional distress or manipulate feelings.
- **Control**: Overriding or disregarding one's autonomy and decisions.
- **Privacy Invasion**: Intruding into private matters or communication.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys in Indiana for further assistance?
Reagadring autonomy. Do we (I custodial parent and teens) have the right to autonomy
Hi ****,
In Indiana, both custodial parents and teens have the right to autonomy, especially in decisions impacting their well-being. Here are some points to consider:
- **Custodial Rights**: As the custodial parent, you have the right to make decisions about your children's upbringing.
- **Teen Autonomy**: Teens have a say in their personal matters and comfort levels.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals in Indiana for further assistance?
What would examples of violating autonomy include
Hi ****,
Violating autonomy can include:
- **Making Unilateral Decisions**: Ignoring the custodial parent's or teens' input on important matters.
- **Controlling Behavior**: Restricting the teens' freedom to make personal choices.
- **Ignoring Boundaries**: Disregarding established boundaries set by the custodial parent or teens.
- **Manipulation**: Using emotional tactics to influence decisions.
Would you like information on local family law attorneys or mental health professionals in Indiana for further assistance?