Protecting Your Rights
Where a spouse or domestic partner has been abused, the abused individual can obtain a cohabitant abuse protective order that will prohibit contact between the parties involved, as well as impose other restrictions on the abusing parties’ behavior such as limiting the abuser’s right to own or possess weapons. These cases involve at least two court appearances, the last of which is an evidentiary hearing where both parties may present any relevant evidence. Once a permanent protective order is entered, it can remain in place for a minimum of two years unless the parties and the court agree otherwise.
Protective Orders
Protective order actions often overlap with divorce or paternity cases and the issues often end up being consolidated and ultimately resolved in the divorce or paternity action. These cases can be procedurally complex and additional problems often arise due to the difficulties that come with co-parenting when a protective order is in place.
