Oklahoma City Domestic Violence Family Lawyer

One of the most challenging things that a person may ever experience is being a victim of domestic violence. Not only can domestic violence be something that is physically threatening–perhaps putting the victim or their loved ones in fear of serious physical injury or even death–but it is also a very emotional experience, too. Indeed, taking action to resolve domestic violence and protect oneself may mean taking action against a loved one, and may open the door to questions regarding divorce, custody of children, living arrangements, and financial ability to support oneself, amongst others.

At the law offices of Brown & Gould, PLLC, our experienced Oklahoma City domestic violence and family law attorneys know how scary domestic violence can be, and understand the many questions that you are currently coping with. When you call our law firm, we will provide you with competent representation in not only seeking a domestic violence protection order, but also navigating the legal system to resolve issues like spousal support, child custody, and even divorce.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders in Oklahoma

As found in Title 74 of Oklahoma Statutes, domestic abuse is defined as any act of physical harm or threat of imminent physical harm that is committed by one member of a household, family, or dating relationship against another.

Any party that is a victim of domestic abuse, or of stalking, harassment, or rape may seek protection from such abuse by seeking a domestic violence protection order. A protective order, or restraining order, is used to legally order the abusive person to stay away from the person who is being abused. In addition to requirements requiring that a certain amount of distance be maintained between spouses, protective orders can also be used to limit an abuser’s ability to possess a weapon, or even travel interstate. In order to be awarded a domestic violence protection order, you will need to provide evidence of abuse. This might include testimonies from neighbors, police reports, any history of hospital visits you have, photographs of bruises or other physical marks left on you, police reports, and any other evidence you have.

While protective orders cannot make decisions about child custody or visitation, a judge who is issuing a protection order can temporarily modify or suspend an existing child custody or visitation order in order to protect both you and your child against threats of harm. If a party violates the protective order, they are breaching a court order and can face serious consequences as such.

It is not uncommon for domestic violence protective orders to be filed simultaneously with a divorce, in which issues like child support, maintenance, and property division are all present.

Helping You to Preserve Your Best Interests

As stated above, simply obtaining a domestic violence protective order is not always the resolution that one needs, but merely a stepping stone in the process. To be sure, a victim of abuse will often choose to separate from the abusive party (often a spouse), which means that they will need to initiate the process of filing for divorce, seeking custody of children, and managing issues such as division of property and whether or not they will seek spousal maintenance. At the law offices of Brown & Gould, PLLC, we can help you to file for your domestic violence protection order, and then immediately start the process of gaining custody of your child and getting spousal support if you need it. Often times, proof of domestic violence can be used for evidence regarding why you should be awarded custody of your children, and if you were financially dependent upon your spouse, alimony/spousal maintenance awards are common as well.

Protecting Yourself When You’re a Victim of Domestic Violence

There are few things more terrifying than suffering abuse and being afraid of violence in one’s own home. At the law offices of Brown & Gould, PLLC, we urge you to find a safe place near you if you are a victim of domestic violence, to report the violence to the police, and to immediately begin the process of filing a domestic violence protection order. Our experienced attorneys can help you along the way, and also provide you with legal aid as you navigate the family law system and initiate a divorce in order to gain custody of your children or/and financial support.
To learn more about our legal services and what to do if you’re a victim of domestic violence, contact our aggressive Oklahoma City domestic violence and family law attorneys today. You can schedule a consultation on our website, or by calling us directly today.