Domestic Violence Lawyer
Experienced Lawrenceburg, Tennessee Attorneys Protecting You When You Need it Most
Domestic violence is a serious and terrifying threat that many people, men and women alike, face on a daily basis. When domestic violence is so extreme that a victim of the violence believes themselves or another person within the home to be at risk of imminent harm or even death, it is critical that action is taken immediately. At the law offices of The Long Firm, our Lawrenceburg domestic violence attorneys encourage you to get to a safe place as soon as you can, and then to call our law offices to learn more about your legal options.
Seeking an Order of Protection When You Are a Victim of Domestic Violence
If you are a victim of domestic violence, you need to remove yourself from your home and find a safe place to stay immediately. The next step may be calling an attorney and initiating the process of seeking a domestic violence order of protection. A protective order is a legal document, signed by a judge, that protects you by preventing the abusive party from contacting you, causing you physical harm, threatening you, entering your home, entering the property where you work or go to school, owning a weapon, and more. An order of protection can even be used to give you temporary custody of your children, order the abuser to continue paying rent or mortgage (but not entering the home), and even reimburse you for your legal costs.
There are two types of protection orders: temporary protection orders, which last up to 15 days, and extended protection orders, known as EPOs. A temporary order can be issued ex-parte, which means that the order is issued without the abusive party attending a hearing. With an extended order, both parties need to appear in court. These orders typically last for one year.
Who Can Get an Order of Protection for Domestic Violence in Tennessee?
While you can seek an order of protection against a person who has stalked you or sexually assaulted you without having to prove that you had any sort of relationship with that person, in order to get a domestic violence order of protection, you need to have a specific type of relationship with them. As found in the petition for an order of protection, you can seek a domestic violence order of protection if you and the abusive party:
- Are married or used to be married;
- Live together or used to live together;
- Have a child together;
- Are dating, used to date, or are/were sexually intimate with one another;
- Are relatives, either by blood, adoption, or marriage; or
- You are the child of a person whose relationship is described above.
Our Williamson County, Tennessee Domestic Violence Attorneys Can Help
In addition to seeking an order of protection, you may also want to initiate a divorce, seek custody of your children, and receive a court order for spousal support and the division of property. At The Long Firm, our experienced Williamson County domestic violence attorneys can assist with all of the above, providing you with the sense of comfort and security you need during this difficult time. Please contact us today for a free consultation.