When you notice your child start acting strange and obviously exhibiting the effects of emotional abuse at the hands of your ex-- crying at exchanges, outbursts, or leaving your disturbing voicemail messages, etc-- it's time to get into gear and buy yourself some cheap equipment to document this abuse.

I used a Flip video camera (http://www.amazon.com/Flip-Ultra-Cam...6263189&sr=8-2) and a Forus audio recorder (http://www.eyespysupply.com/voice-ac...fs6510011.html) to document my son's complete turn-about.

At trial I showed the judge and jury video of my son bawling at an exchange and audio of a disturbing message he left on my voicemail.

Otherwise it's simply your verbal testimony. Which is good, but not enough. Arm yourself with audio and/or video, and you'll show that:

1. You were concerned enough to start documenting results of the mental abuse
2. Your son/daughter's trauma is real, going beyond your simply stating what's going on

Pictures are worth a thousand words, remember? Well video and audio are just as good.

Bring this documentation to your lawyer, and insist that you show this to the judge and/or jury in your case.