Behind closed doors, or hidden beneath a blanket of silence, domestic violence bruises the lives of an estimated four million people every year–the overwhelming majority of them women–and impacts expanding circles of millions more: children, relatives, friends, employers.
Studies show that violence occurs at least once in two-thirds of all marriages, and approximately 95% of the victims of domestic violence are women. Roughly 40% of all physically abused children have also witnessed physical violence between their parents.
Many children who are abused, or who witness abuse of a parent, grow up to become abusive themselves, or become victims in violent relationships, and the cycle continues. Fortunately, there’s something you can do about it. You need the guidance and advice of an experienced Arizona divorce attorney.
According to Lisa Angel–an attorney, Board-Certified Family Law Specialist and member of the Governor’s Domestic Violence Commission–special laws in Arizona are designed to provide quick and effective relief from domestic violence. “The most important thing a victim of this kind of abuse can do,” she emphasizes, “is find the courage to take action.”
Some people feel as if they just can’t handle dealing with the legal system on top of the abuse they’ve suffered. Regina, for example, found the courage to move with her children–one of whom has also been abused–into a new apartment. At the time, she says, “I didn’t think I could face the trauma of taking a domestic violence case to court.” Her husband’s response? He tracked her down at her new home and hit her again. That was the unfortunate wake-up call she needed to act.
Angel–a past president of the Women’s Center of Wake County Board of Directors and founding board member of Project Together, a domestic violence pro bono project–is particularly clear on this point: “Call the police if necessary. When you’re safe, contact the domestic violence relief agency in your county. They can give you advice and direct you to a safe shelter.”
As Regina found out, violence can be an ongoing threat, wherever you are. Which is why, according to Angel, “I can’t stress this enough: If your spouse is violent, you must take all steps necessary to protect your safety and the safety of your children. Only after you’re safe is it time to focus on legal issues.”
In general, she says, you can leave the house and not come back, and you may take the children with you, unless a court order directs you otherwise. However, she points out that–if circumstances allow–it may not be wise to leave the house without talking to an attorney. “Leaving the house without what a court considers a good reason may affect your alimony situation, and if you leave the house you may not be able to come back until a court divides the property.”
This process will take a long time, and you may not end up with possession of the house after the property has been divided. The best advice? According to Angel: “Stay in the house until after you discuss the matter with a lawyer, unless your spouse is violent. As Regina’s case illustrates, victims of abuse don’t always have the ability to make this choice–sometimes getting out is the only safe option.”
Arizona law should be on your side, says Angel. “If you are attacked, there are several crimes your abuser can be charged with, for starters: Rape and Sexual Offense, Assault, Domestic Criminal Trespass, Communicating Threats, Stalking or Harassing Phone Calls.” Again, she recommends contacting the police as soon as possible.
The civil code can also provide some relief. “In many cases,” says Angel, “it’s possible to get a court order without the typical notice requirements, so you can keep possession of the house and car, and temporary custody of your children; the order may also provide that your spouse must stay away from you and the children. And if your spouse violates such an order, he or she will be arrested.”
In the case of Tamiqua, repairing her life included both civil and criminal remedies: a domestic violence consent order, separation agreement, and involvement of the district attorney–after her husband fired a gun at her while their children slept upstairs.
For Angel, this illustrates an important point. “From a legal perspective, it’s not an either/or choice. You should use whatever tools are necessary to protect yourself and your children.”
A domestic violence complaint should list all the facts, and not simply state the result of the violence. Terri, was able to present a very compelling picture of her situation simply by highlighting her recent interactions with her husband. As she succinctly puts it, “I was willing to negotiate; he got hung up on the money stuff, and then he went nuts again.”
Angel says that the facts you present are most compelling to the court when the acts occurred recently or over a period of time, and when they’re as specific as possible.
In 1979, Arizona responded to the problem of domestic violence by enacting Chapter 50B, the Domestic Violence Act. Angel has dealt with the ins and outs of this legislation for many years. “The Act has been amended and refined over the years and, while not perfect, it has a number of good attributes. It protects men, women and children, and it provides a fast method for separating a spouse from his or her abuser.”
Under the Act, domestic violence is defined as attempts to cause or intentionally causing bodily injury, and placing a person in fear of ‘imminent serious bodily injury’ by threatening the use of force. “The statute protects not only present spouses but also former spouses and people in a dating relationship – so you don’t have to be currently married to be protected.” A dating relationship, for these purposes, involves romantic involvement over time and on a continuous basis.
Do-it-yourself complaint forms are available through the Clerk of Superior Court. “However,” Angel cautions, “these forms should not be used if custody, child support or alimony are at issue, because they don’t allow for solid claims to be made in those areas.”
Attorneys can also use these forms, or they can write up custom-tailored complaints. “It’s the kind of thing,” according to Angel, “that might be great in some situations, and in others it might just be confusing. Not everyone wants or needs to handle their own legal paperwork, even in the best of circumstances.”
Pamela was certainly not facing the best of circumstances when she thought about going the do-it-yourself route. “I was tired–physically, emotionally. More like in shock. So even when some very well-meaning friends tried to get me to do this, I just couldn’t. I had been a victim for so long, I really didn’t think I had the strength to do this on my own.” It took a professional who could walk her through the process, and do, in her words, the “heavy lifting,” for Pamela to file a complaint.
This reinforces a central message that Angel wants to get across. “There’s no one right answer for all victims.” And this extends into the courtroom. “Whether you have a restraining order against your abuser or some other type of court order, the Domestic Violence Act allows judges to approve a range of protections.”
These include:
Angel adds that “all of these remedies are in addition to protections that you might be entitled to under other law. Plus, the language in the act is intentionally broad, so other types of protections can also be crafted.”
Despite this long list of protections, Angel says that there are several issues to keep in mind. “Protective orders will expire at the end of a fixed period, not more than a year. There are no exceptions to this rule, but you can request renewal for up to another year.”
In addition, copies of the order must be issued to each party as well as the police or sheriff’s department in the county where you live – and it’s up to you or your attorney to make sure this gets done. “As much as law enforcement wants or tries to help, some things are beyond their control. The best protective order ever drafted is no good unless there’s some follow-through. We find that victims who try to handle legal things themselves sometimes get to this point and don’t realize there’s more they need to do.”
Remember Regina? When she turned to the legal system, she was initially met by resistance from her ex-husband, who refused to settle custody and visitation out of court or agree to a protective order. This forced a trial, where conflicting testimony was given. The court, however, ultimately found in Regina’s favor – issuing a protective order and granting her custody of the children. “It was hard,” she says. “But not harder than what we had been living through.”
While, as Angel puts it, “it’s not necessarily going to be a pleasant process,” using the courts can be an effective – in some cases the only – tool for ending abusive relationships. And the bigger picture is this: thousands of people have found the strength to save themselves from domestic violence.
Speaking from her lengthy professional experience, Angel says that “emotional support can be absolutely essential to everyone involved in the breakup of a violent marriage.” Mental health providers – including psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers and other counselors – can be found in private practice, at nonprofits or in government agencies. Many agencies will provide counseling at a fee based upon your income.
Feel free to contact us at https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/ for expert guidance if you’re facing an imminent divorce or considering divorcing your spouse. At Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers, we are proud to represent you!
Social Accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/AttorneyMesaAZ/
https://twitter.com/attorneymesaaz
https://www.linkedin.com/company/law-offices-of-kevin-jensen
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjggva23XNy-kmuhFgWUMyw
Our team of family law attorneys and divorce attorneys look forward to helping you when you need it most. With over two decades of aggressive divorce, child custody, child support, and divorce mediation representation we will not allow you to be taken advantage of. We believe in making a difference in the lives of our clients and their children.
Located in Mesa Arizona, on Val Vista and Southern Avenue. Our Family Law Attorneys and Divorce Lawyers in Mesa AZ have been helping our clients achieve the legal results they are searching for. Our Mesa Law Firm offers Divorce Mediation, Uncontested Divorce, Contested Divorce, Legal Separation, Female Divorce Lawyers, Annulment, Child Support Issues, Child Custody, Military Divorce, Parenting Plans, Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, Grandparents Rights, Paternity, Order of Protection, Name Change and all Family Law legal issues.
Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers in Mesa AZ
2915 E Baseline Rd Suite 115
Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 999-2321
https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/mesa
Located On Dobson Road, just North of W. Chandler Blvd, near the 101 Freeway. We have a team of the Best Divorce Lawyers and Family Law Attorneys in Chandler Arizona. Our Chandler Law Firm offers Divorce Mediation, Uncontested Divorce, Contested Divorce, Legal Separation, Female Divorce Lawyers, Annulment, Child Support Issues, Child Custody, Military Divorce, Parenting Plans, Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, Grandparents Rights, Paternity, Order of Protection, Name Change and all Family Law legal issues.
Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers in Chandler AZ
333 N. Dobson Rd #5
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480) 632-2083
https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/chandler
Located in South East Gilbert, Near Higley High School on Pecos Road, West of Power Road in the Power Ranch Neighborhood. Our Gilbert Law Firm offers Divorce Mediation, Uncontested Divorce, Contested Divorce, Legal Separation, Female Divorce Lawyers, Annulment, Child Support Issues, Child Custody, Military Divorce, Parenting Plans, Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, Grandparents Rights, Paternity, Order of Protection, Name Change and all Family Law legal issues.
Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers in Gilbert AZ
4365 E. Pecos Rd Suite 138
Gilbert, AZ 85295
(480) 900-2302
https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/gilbert
Located in the Community of Anthem in Florence Arizona, off of Hunt Hwy. Our Florence Law Firm is staffed with family law attorneys that offer Divorce Mediation, Uncontested Divorce, Contested Divorce, Legal Separation, Female Divorce Lawyers, Annulment, Child Support Issues, Child Custody, Military Divorce, Parenting Plans, Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, Grandparents Rights, Paternity, Order of Protection, Name Change and all Family Law legal issues.
Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers in Florence AZ
3281 N. Hunt Hwy Suite 111
Florence, AZ 85132
(480) 632-1120
https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/florence
Located in Glendale. Our Glendale Law Firm offers Divorce Mediation, Uncontested Divorce, Contested Divorce, Legal Separation, Female Divorce Lawyers, Annulment, Child Support Issues, Child Custody, Military Divorce, Parenting Plans, Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, Grandparents Rights, Paternity, Order of Protection, Name Change and all Family Law legal issues.
Genesis Family Law and Divorce Lawyers in Glendale AZ
7075 West Bell Road Suite 5
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 834-8585
https://familylawattorneymesaaz.net/glendale/