Abuse language/definitions for court documents

Started by oak_tree, March 16, 2021, 06:42:03 AM

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oak_tree

Hi everyone, I hope you are all finding some peace somewhere today!
My SO is in the process of filling out the court documents for his divorce from his uNPDSTBXW. There is a section that asks specifically about abuse (if any) during the relationship. He can't in good conscience (nor would he want to) omit the psychological abuse since the kids who are still with her most of the time are being subjected to it.
I think he and his lawyer have done a good job at listing the offences but I bet some of you have good ways of phrasing things that help make the abuse clear without sounding subjective. Her behavior was very typical covert narcissistic - false allegations, always the victim, name-calling (in front of the kids too), throwing stuff (not at anyone), hitting herself to "show how much he hurt her" etc.
Does anyone have advice on how to list the offenses? We basically got a definition of psychological abuse and then listed out the offenses for each example of psychological abuse, with brief and relatively vague examples.
Any help today is appreciated - the documents will only be editable for another 6 hours or so (why didn't I ask earlier?!) but again, I'm feeling pretty good about their descriptions.
Thanks all!

eyesopen

I would think that specific examples would carry far more weight in court than vague ones. If something happened on a particular day and time, specific words were said, specific things done, that makes it clear what happened. A vague example may sound more like hearsay and not be as convincing.

oak_tree

Thanks eyesopen, that was 100% my instinct as well - give a specific date and it gives the statement more credibility.
In this particular section, the lawyer is encouraging less specificity, not sure why, perhaps it's just because it's the initial filing. But we all agree that once in court, specific examples will be key. I'll see if I can encourage more dates and examples.