FARMINGTON HILLS
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The unfortunate reality is that domestic violence is something that still occurs in our society, and far more than any of us would like to think. If you are a victim of domestic violence, a skilled and compassionate Oakland County domestic violence lawyer from Alan B. Cooper & Associates, PLLC is here to help you. Do not wait another minute. Contact us today.
Victims of domestic violence need a strong legal advocate on their side. Our firm has what it takes to effectively handle your case and get you to safety as soon as possible. With a dedicated Oakland County family lawyer from our firm on your side, you will never feel alone.
The first thing you should understand is that domestic violence is gender-blind. Men and women of all races, sexual orientations, and more, can commit domestic violence. Domestic violence can occur between people of any gender, sexual orientation, or race. That said, in Michigan, domestic violence may only occur between a person and a current or former spouse, roommates, people who’ve lived together in the past, or between two people who have a child together. Finally, you should know that domestic violence is not limited to physical attacks, though this is perhaps the most common form of domestic violence; domestic violence can also come in the form of sexual assault, verbal abuse, psychological abuse, and more.
A domestic relationship PPO is a type of restraining order that applies to people who have or had a domestic relationship with their abuser. To get a domestic relationship PPO, you need to file a petition at the circuit court in any Michigan county. You will need to provide details about the abuse and why you fear for your safety. You will also need to request specific protections that you want the court to grant. Importantly, you may face legal challenges from your abuser, such as denial, opposition, or violation of the order. You may also need to deal with other legal issues related to your abuse, such as divorce, custody, child support, or criminal charges. This is why it is always advisable to have a competent domestic violence lawyer in your corner.
If you’re in fear of imminent danger and cannot wait to get a PPO, you can request an emergency order by calling the police and asking them to call a judge on your behalf, or you can go to the court yourself and file an application for an emergency order. You will need to explain why you need urgent protection and what kind of relief you are seeking. These orders are not permanent, and will only protect you until the date of your PPO hearing.
Once you obtain your PPO, you should have protection from various forms of abuse, including physical assault, stalking, harassment, and more.
As you can imagine, an act of domestic violence between parents often has a significant effect on child custody terms, since if a parent is deemed a danger to either the child or the child’s other parent, the court should reason that it is not in the child’s best interests to be around the dangerous individual. In many cases, if you can prove that an incident of domestic violence occurred, you will receive sole custody of your child. Our firm is here to help you through any family law issue that should arise out of the incident(s) of domestic violence.
We understand how hard it can be to come forward, but if you are a victim of domestic violence, the time to act is now. Our legal team is ready to do everything in our power to ensure that you and your family are safe and free from worry. Contact Alan B. Cooper & Associates, PLLC today.