Going through the child custody process is never simple. Tensions and emotions are bound to be high, even if both parents get along fairly well. But it can be a devastating experience if one of the parents is a narcissist. When a custody case comes down to a matter of narcissistic parent vs. loving parent, the stakes are high for everyone involved, especially your child. 

What Is a Narcissistic Parent?

Although narcissistic personality disorder is the most severe form of the problem, a parent doesn’t have to be diagnosed with a behavioral disorder to have dangerous narcissistic traits. These include a grandiose sense of self and a lack of empathy. They can be manipulative and overly critical, both of which are harmful qualities to project onto a developing child. 

Furthermore, narcissistic parents require constant admiration and need to be the center of attention. They’ll often blame others for their behaviors and show little (if any) concern for that of others. It’s a volatile set of circumstances for a child to be brought up in, which is why many narcissist victims choose to divorce their spouse and try to obtain full custody.

The problem is that a narcissist won’t easily accept actions that cast doubt on their idea of themselves. To demonstrate that they are the “best” parent, they might attempt a number of manipulative strategies during custody hearings. 

Challenges of Child Custody Arrangements With a Narcissistic Parent

Narcissistic parents will try to get what they want in any way they can, one of the most common of which involves lying about themselves and you. They’ll paint themselves in the best possible light and come up with stories to make you appear as though you’re an unfit parent. 

Because they lack empathy, lying about how much time they spend with your child or even creating false scenarios in which they rescued the child from your neglect isn’t beyond a narcissistic parent. 

They’re also not averse to using the child as a pawn; they may easily coach the child to say what they want them to or even push them to side with them during custody battles. 

To counteract all of these tactics, you will need to maintain excellent records that can shed light on the lies of the other parent. If they claim to spend hours with the child, having clear data of when they visit and for how long can be crucial. 

It’s also vital that you hire a family law attorney to represent you. You can be certain that the other parent will have one, so don’t take any chances. With legal representation, you can take steps to show that the other parent is a narcissist and has psychologically abused you and your child.  

In the most severe instances, one of the options that your lawyer can offer is to file an order of protection to leave a record of the abuse. It can also be helpful to have testimony from mental health professionals as well as records of any interactions that display abusive behaviors. 

Getting Assistance From Experienced Bergen County Child Custody Attorneys When Dealing With a Narcissistic Parent

Even in the best of circumstances, you shouldn’t attempt to go through a child custody hearing without representation. If the other parent is a narcissist, it’s more vital than ever to have legal counsel by your side. Choose a divorce and child custody attorney who has experience with these kinds of cases and who will be ready to fight for your rights.   

Contact the Bergen County Family and Divorce Law Firm of Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers for more help

Contact the experienced family attorneys at Arons & Solomon Divorce Lawyers today for legal assistance. Visit our law office in Bergen County or give us a call at (201) 487-1199 to schedule a free consultation with our team.

Bergen County Law Office
1 University Plaza Dr #400, Hackensack, NJ 07601, United States