What are a few of the most effective steps to protect yourself from an abusive spouse or domestic violence?
If you are presently or recently exposed to abuse or domestic violence and you are considering exit options, you’ll need to begin to gather important resources including, but not limited to close family and trusted friends that are prepared to help you, cash, a credit card or cards, bank cards to access checking and savings accounts, a burner phone (anonymous, preferably reloadable cell phone), and a laptop computer.
Do you and the violent spouse or partner share children? If so, you will need to speak with one of our experienced child custody and parenting time attorneys. There will substantial legal issues surrounding child custody and legal steps will need to be taken if you wish to take the child(ren) with you. Sharing the child(ren) with a violent spouse or partner may require the other party to have supervised visitation to ensure each child’s safety, as well as your own. The Court may also issue protective orders or restraining orders to prevent future communications or violent situations.
An abusive party may be required to leave the house, while providing you with temporary child custody orders and child support. The Court often orders a domestic violence intervention program and/or anger management, as well as orders to restrict and prevent drinking and drug use in the children’s presence.
Another of the most effective steps to protect yourself from an abusive spouse or domestic violence is to make sure you have an immediate exit when necessary. It is prudent to make sure you have constant and immediate access to spare car keys and controlling fobs, emergency money for a ride share or family and friends who would be willing to meet you or pick you up with little or no notice. If the violent party has been ordered to leave your home it is wise to change the locks and install a dead bolt on every door if there isn’t such a lock presently in place. You may need some help changing the electronic code for the garage door opener as well.
A monitored video alarm system, combined with a substantial change to your existing schedule and routines and even having others to stay with you can provide important additional protections.
If you are planning to leave, make sure you have copies of important documents such as pay stubs, recent tax submissions, insurance policy information for healthcare, your home and any vehicle you may need to use, as well as any evidence relating to the abuse or domestic violence you’ve been forced to endure. This can include photos on your cell phone of broken furniture, damaged walls and documentation of injuries. Once you are away don’t provide your new location or address or cell phone number to anyone but your closest, most trusted family and friends.
You will need to take prompt action to protect yourself from an abusive spouse or domestic violence. It is quite common, unfortunately, for the perpetrator of abuse or violence to make assertions against your interests (and the truth) that you weren’t really afraid, didn’t take immediate action and therefore don’t need protective orders. Take action as immediately as possible, and contact the experienced domestic violence, child custody and family law attorneys at Dodd & Dodd, or call us at (502) 584-1108.
We genuinely care about the safety of every person and child here in Louisville and throughout Jefferson County and the greater Louisville area. It is important to take immediate action right away and seek substantial advice and counsel based upon decades of experience.
We invite you to review the strong recommendations of our former clients and the legal industry and contact Dodd & Dodd or call 502-584-1108 to schedule an appointment with one of our attorneys. Learn more about the most effective steps to safeguard your child(ren) and protect yourself from an abusive spouse or partner and/or domestic violence.
