Emotional abuse between two adults in the form of bullying, berating, and tearing someone down can lead to many negative consequences. Though marriage is supposed to be a union between two people who love each other, many take advantage of their partner. Unfortunately, many people in relationships, both men and women, endure emotional abuse at the hands of their spouses. This can cause significant issues and often ends in divorce. If you are the victim of an emotionally abusive spouse, understanding how their actions will impact the outcome of your divorce is crucial. Keep reading to learn more about what you should know in these circumstances and discover how divorce attorneys in Nassau County can assist you during these challenging times.
What Constitutes Emotional Abuse?
Emotional abuse is a form of domestic abuse in which one party will use non-physical behaviors as a means to torment and hurt the other person on purpose. Behaviors and actions that exemplify emotional abuse include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Name-calling
- Isolating their victim from friends and family
- Threatening with violence or other forms of harm
- Constantly yelling at their victim
- Criticizing seemingly insignificant aspects of their victim
- Withholding resources like money to hold power over their victim
It’s also important to understand that many victims of emotional abuse suffer from being gaslit. Essentially, this means they are made to believe their experiences are not genuine or not as severe as they indeed are. For example, a spouse may make a cruel comment, only to turn around and claim it was a lighthearted joke or deny they ever said it. The purpose is to make the victim question reality and feel they cannot trust their own mind.
How Will This Impact the Outcome of My Divorce in New York?
Before understanding how emotional abuse will determine the outcome of your divorce, it’s essential to know that it can impact what kind of divorce is right for you. Generally, those in an abusive relationship should not engage in mediation or a collaborative divorce with their partner. This is because these methods of divorce are ineffective for these couples, as victims may not feel safe or comfortable advocating for their wants and needs during discussions.
Once you are going through a divorce, it can impact the outcome and ruling. For example, suppose you suffered financial damages at the hands of your spouse. In that case, the judge may award you a larger share of marital assets when dividing property to compensate you for your loss.
It’s also important to understand that emotional abuse can impact child custody. The judges must consider what’s in the child’s best interest. As such, evidence of any abuse is taken very seriously and can have a significant impact on whether or not an abusive spouse receives custody.
If you are considering filing for divorce from your abusive spouse, it’s essential to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. At Barrows Levy, our compassionate team will work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your circumstances. We will handle the legal complexities of this matter so you can focus on healing. Reach out today to learn more.
