What if My Ex Is Threatening Suicide if They Don’t Get Custody in Orlando?

According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), mothers who lose custody face significantly higher risks of death by suicide. The Centre for Male Psychology also states that 20 percent of all male suicides are triggered by “family breakdowns.” If your ex is threatening suicide or implying that they might take their own life if they lose a custody battle in Orlando, what can you do? Should you report your ex? Can an Orlando child custody lawyer help?

Document the Suicidal Comments

If possible, try to collect evidence of your ex’s suicidal threats or behaviors. If they have threatened to take their own life through text, take a basic screenshot and send it to your family law attorney. If they are threatening suicide verbally, you cannot record the next phone call without permission. However, you may be able to record an interaction in a public space with no expectation of privacy. When in doubt, ask your lawyer about the types of recordings and screenshots that are admissible as evidence in Florida.

You can use these recordings and screenshots in various ways. First, the evidence could potentially help establish your ex’s unstable condition, thereby giving you an advantage in the ensuing custody battle. While it might seem brutal to use your ex’s comments against them, remember that you are doing this in the best interests of your children.

Secondly, this evidence could help your loved one get the help they need. Show the necessary authorities, and potentially organize a “wellness check.” If your ex is clearly in need of therapy or other assistance, they could be involuntarily committed to a treatment center. This could prevent your ex from taking their own life.

You Can Talk Freely With Your Attorney

Although you might be worried about who you tell about this situation, you should always feel free to discuss sensitive topics with your family law attorney. You are protected by something called “attorney-client privilege,” which means that your lawyer cannot repeat anything you tell them without permission.

Even if you tell your lawyer that your ex is planning to commit suicide, your lawyer cannot notify the relevant authorities unless you give them permission. That being said, your lawyer could potentially choose to reach out to people who can help if they believe that this information could save a life.

Your Children Do Not Deserve to Be in an Unstable Environment

If your ex is making these kinds of threats, they have already demonstrated that they are not fit to care for your children. Although it might seem tempting to cave to these threats, doing so will expose your children to serious potential harm, both physical and psychological. At the end of the day, your priority should be your children’s safety.

Can an Orlando Child Custody Lawyer Help Me? 

If your ex is threatening to commit suicide if they don’t get custody in Orlando, you should speak with a lawyer immediately. The data clearly shows that this is a legitimate concern, but it’s also important to act in the best interests of your children first and foremost. Contact Steve Marsee, P.A. to continue this conversation in private.

Sources:

 pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5846964/

centreformalepsychology.com/male-psychology-magazine-listings/one-mans-experience-of-how-the-family-court-system-can-impact-the-mental-health-of-fathers