What if You Need Protection from Your Spouse?

If you are a victim of abuse, reach out to a trusted St. Louis family law attorney and find out what protections the court can afford you.

Divorce, though stressful, can be amicable between parties. However, there are times when a spouse poses a genuine threat. When this is the case, the court can grant an order of protection.

If you feel your spouse is a threat, or abusive, speak to your St. Louis family law attorney to learn if an order of protection is the right course of action for you.

Court Order for Protection

After consulting with your attorney, they will file an Ex Parte Order of Protection. The court will then review the evidence your attorney presents and decide if the order of protection is appropriate. At this point, they will declare what restrictions your spouse will face. As well, if you have children, the court will fashion custody and visitation around the order of protection. Afterward, you will need to renew the order of protection every six months to a year, depending on what the judge declares on the order of protection.

Throughout this process, you can help your attorney to create a better case in your favor. Testimony from therapists, doctors, responding officers, and experts can be extremely compelling to the court. As well, document specific instances of abuse when they happen. Having a running record will show a history of abuse. All of this will greatly assist your family law attorney when filing for an order of protection.

Are You a Victim of Abuse?

Divorce can be scary and stressful under the best of conditions, but abuse from your spouse is well outside of the acceptable threshold for anyone. If you are a victim of abuse, reach out to a trusted St. Louis family law attorney and find out what protections the court can afford you.