I’m interested to hear what evidence was most effective in your Family/Custody/Offense cases. What moved the needle? Conversely, what evidence did the Judge not seem to care about or respond to? I’m interested in both the Petitioner and Respondent experience. Thanks.
Proving a cluster B personality disorder takes meticulous documentation over a long period. I submitted 350 pages of declarations and requests for orders, which ultimately forced the judge’s hand. The evidence pointed to the other parent’s pathological issues, leading to a loss of custody for them.
Thanks for responding! Three questions, if you’re willing: 1. Did you validate previously undiagnosed mental health issues by showing a pattern of behavior? What kind of evidence did you submit? 2. Was the court resistant to the volume of evidence? 3. Was all the evidence reviewed in open court, or privately by the Judge?
You can’t diagnose mental illness in court; you need to show a pattern of behavior. I documented everything, including good moments and bad, to illustrate the other parent’s maladaptive state. The judge gets tired of petty arguments, so I focused on safety for my child. Most of my evidence was through declarations submitted digitally before court dates.
I can get back to you in two weeks if I remember…