Safety Tips on Divorce and Abusive Relationships

Press Release (ePRNews.com) - 7 Pringle Court Garstang Preston PR3 1LN - Nov 29, 2017 - This article will discuss some important tips a spouse in an abusive relationship should follow before or just after filing for divorce.

The vast majority of battered spouses are women. Statistics show that the worst time period of an abusive relationship is when it is about to end. Violent relationships, generally, do not mix well with divorce, therefore, there are things a battered spouse must consider doing before filing for divorce or immediately afterward so as to ensure their safety. This article will discuss some important tips a spouse in an abusive relationship should follow before or just after filing for divorce.

Getting to safety is of the utmost importance, to ensure this a person should start planning to get away from the abuser. If possible put cash aside (not in the house), leave important documents with a friend in the event you need to get away quickly. Begin documenting any incidents of physical and/or emotional violence toward yourself and/or children. Note the time, date and exact occurrence of the incident. Some advice given in this respect is that one:

• Make a list of ‘safe people’ to contact
• Memorize phone numbers of people or places that you could call for help
• Keep change with you at all times, just in case you need to use a pay phone
• Have a ‘code word’ you can use with family, friends and co-workers to show that you need help without alerting the abuser.

When planning to get to safety at the brink or during the divorce ensure you have a safe place to go to where the abuser will not find you. Ensure you have all the important paperwork that will help with the legal process or action of divorce. For example:

• Birth certificate
• Copies of deeds, leases and insurance policies
• The abusive spouse’s income information like payslips
• Any documents that prove past abuse like photographs, police reports or medical records

In the event you need to leave quickly ensure the first thing you do is get a protective order from court which requires that the abuser stay away from you. If the marriage has children ensure the protective order gives you custody of the children or you may be accused of kidnapping.

Be sure to enlist the help of a lawyer at this point either by hiring a lawyer if resources allow or by finding the available legal assistance to gain a lawyer. One solicitor stated that “by enlisting the services of a solicitor the necessary paperwork will be served on your spouse and it is necessary that this be done immediately because papers must to be served for them to take effect”.

Child custody and visitation

“If legal custody is shared make arrangements to either have neutral pick up points or have others pick up and drop off the child. Further, ensure that your contact information is kept private and out of the court records. Where you have sole custody but the judge allows for some form of visitation, request that conditions be put in place on the visitations”. For example:

• Supervised visitation
• Restriction on alcohol and/or drug use during visitations or on those present during the visitations

Whether you are in an abusive marriage or not, if you are looking for solicitors in Garstang find a law firm of renowned professionals to represent you.

About the company:

MG Legal Solutions is a law firm of renowned professionals who specialise in family law and conveyancing law. With a number of offices in Preston and Lancashire, to meet solicitors in Chorley and solicitors in Lancaster contact the offices near you.