Legal Abuse Tactics Post-Separation

Legal abuse tactics that abusers commonly use against survivors after separation, often referred to as “litigation abuse” or “paper abuse.” These tactics are designed to maintain control, inflict emotional and financial harm, and continue the dynamics of coercion through the court system.

Common Legal Abuse Tactics Post-Separation

1. Excessive or Frivolous Filings

Flooding the court with unnecessary motions, petitions, or complaints.
Forcing the survivor to repeatedly appear in court, draining finances and emotional energy.
Filing for modifications (custody, visitation, support) without legitimate cause.

2. Manipulating Custody and Visitation

Demanding sole custody or using children as leverage to punish or intimidate the survivor.
Falsely accusing the survivor of being unfit, alienating, or mentally unstable.
Refusing to follow parenting plans to provoke more legal battles.

3. False Allegations and Defamation

Accusing the survivor of child abuse, neglect, or domestic violence to shift blame.
Filing restraining orders or police reports under false pretenses to harm credibility.
Spreading misinformation in legal documents or to professionals (CPS, therapists, GALs).

4. Financial Manipulation through the Courts

Withholding child or spousal support payments to create financial hardship.
Hiding or transferring assets to avoid financial obligations.
Forcing the survivor to spend large sums on legal defense through repeated actions.

5. Using the Legal System for Contact

Exploiting court-required communications (like co-parenting apps or mediation) to continue harassment.
Filing motions to maintain access to the survivor under the guise of legal necessity.

6. Misusing Discovery or Evidence

Demanding excessive documentation or irrelevant records to overwhelm the survivor.
Attempting to access confidential medical or counseling records to humiliate or control.
Misrepresenting evidence or taking statements out of context.

7. Courtroom Intimidation and Manipulation

Using charm, deception, or feigned victimhood to manipulate judges or attorneys.
Staring, glaring, or making subtle gestures in court to intimidate the survivor.
Portraying the survivor as “angry” or “vindictive” to discredit legitimate concerns.

8. Dragging Out Proceedings

Requesting unnecessary continuances or delays to extend control and increase costs.
Refusing to settle or negotiate in good faith.
Filing appeals or complaints just to prolong contact and conflict.

9. Weaponizing Legal Professionals

Recruiting or misleading attorneys, mediators, or custody evaluators.
Claiming bias or filing grievances against the survivor’s lawyer to intimidate.
Using expert witnesses to distort facts or pathologize the survivor.

10. Parallel Legal Harassment

Filing simultaneous cases (civil, criminal, CPS, family court) to overwhelm the survivor.
Using out-of-state or multiple jurisdictions to complicate proceedings.
Threatening lawsuits (defamation, slander, etc.) to silence or intimidate.

The Goal of Legal Abuse

The ultimate goal isn’t justice, it’s control, exhaustion, and re-traumatization.
Legal abuse allows the abuser to:

Keep the survivor entangled in contact.
Deplete her financial and emotional resources.
Undermine her credibility and confidence.
Delay or prevent closure and healing.