16. Navigating Divorce & Custody Disputes with an Abusive Partner with Courtney Gilmartin

Divorce and custody disputes are stressful to begin with, but they can be especially difficult with an abusive ex-partner. In this episode, Theresa is joined by Courtney Gilmartin, the Co-Founder of New Jersey Protective Moms, an 501(c) (3) grassroots organization advocating for support of mothers going through custody disputes with abusive ex-partners. Courtney shares her own experience of realizing she was in an abusive marriage, her own experience of custody battles in the family law system, and how she’s supporting and empowering mothers in a similar situation. Need legal help in your family law matter? Schedule a consultation with our team to make sure you and your future spouse are both legally protected should a divorce occur. Resources mentioned: New Jersey Protective Moms National Domestic Violence Hotline - 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Some key takeaways from this episode include: Listen to and trust your gut. Even if everyone around you is saying your partner’s behavior is “normal” or “expected,” if you feel like something is wrong, honor that feeling and ask for help. Be conscious of how you’re utilizing information online, especially on social media. Social media can provide some validation through other people’s stories, but you should directly consult an attorney for legal advice or other respective professionals. A third-party mediator can be helpful in crafting a resolution that works best for everyone involved - or at least as close to a “best case scenario” as possible. This can also be more favorable than leaving it up to a judge. It’s so important to take care of yourself as a survivor of domestic abuse, whether it was physical, mental, emotional, or coercive abuse. Take the time to rediscover what brings you joy and makes you feel like the strongest, happiest version of yourself. The Legal Lounge podcast aims to dispel misinformation and downright bad legal information to empower anyone with questions about their family, their children, their finances, their marriage, and the law. As a team focused exclusively on family law matters, we aim to help you not only with the information you need, but also with the hope that your situation has a solution.  Modern Legal is a family law firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our Modern Legal team can help you navigate the legal system when the law and your family collide. We help turn confusion into confidence, helplessness into empowerment, and frustration into action.  Connect with Modern Legal: Website Phone: 704-286-6302 Instagram LinkedIn YouTube Facebook  LEGAL DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and the information should not be relied upon as legal advice or for legal purposes.