Posted by Mary E. Ramos | Discovery, Divorce
Sadly, abusive marriages are not entirely uncommon. It happens to both men and women. If it happens to you, the best thing you can do is get out. Unfortunately, the divorce process may exacerbate this behavior from an abusive spouse, and things may only become more difficult in the short term.
Identifying Abuse
Even if your spouse does not physically hit you or destroy your property, their behavior may still be firmly considered abusive. Psychological abuse is common in divorce and often stems from the abuser’s recognition that their victim is escaping from their power. That loss of control can feed the abuser’s resentment and insecurity.
Avoid Engaging with Abusive Conduct, and Document Abuse
In divorce, verbal abuse and psychological abuse aren’t something you can “win.” You may have a history of arguing with your spouse, but, either way, it’s time to stop. This not only helps you out at the moment but will strengthen your divorce case as well.
If you’re already living separately, good. Keep communication limited to business, and keep it on-topic. If a conversation descends into abusive behavior, end it.
If you’re still living together, it’s time to make plans to get out. Don’t wait until your divorce is finalized. Psychological abuse is dangerous and exhausting, and it’s healthiest to remove yourself completely from the abuser. In the meantime, do your best to avoid engaging.
It’s also important to keep a personal journal and use it to document the abusive behavior. Every day that abusive conduct occurs, write about what happened in your journal. Be as thorough and impartial as you can, even if you argued back or did something unflattering. Do not tell your spouse about this journal, or use it to threaten them. Save it for your attorney. This will help the case for your divorce. Psychological abuse is something the court will want to see evidence of, and this is exactly the kind of documentation they will pay close attention to.
Ask Your Attorney About a Protective Order
In Texas, the family law code provides a legal tool to protect people from violence and abuse by their divorcing spouse. These are often known as “restraining orders,” but in Texas, they’re called protective orders. You can learn more on our Protective Orders page, and it’s also something you should discuss in your initial consultation with us.
Are There Children?
If you also have children in the house, it may be more urgent that you begin your divorce. Verbal abuse and psychological abuse toward children can permanently scar them, and lead to generational abuse patterns. You can learn more on our Child Custody and Child Support pages.
Contact Ramos Law Group Today
It’s not easy to choose divorce. Psychological abuse, however, is not something you should accept. The experienced family law attorneys at Ramos Law Group can help you get started on the road to escaping your abusive marriage and moving on with your life.
Contact us to discuss your situation today, and say no to abuse once and for all.
Last Updated on May 23, 2023 by Mary E. Ramos
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