Do You Need a Personal Protection Order?
When you file for divorce in Colorado, the petition includes a general protection order that bars each party from harassing the other. However, the standard order is a rather ineffective way to deal with the serious issue of domestic violence. If one party violates the order, there is usually little in the way of consequences. If you feel that you are in immediate danger of domestic violence, you can and should seek a stronger protection order.
At the Waters Law Firm in Denver, we offer a free initial attorney consultation to explain how to explain how to obtain orders of protection and to answer your questions about how it would affect you during your divorce.
What is a Protection Order?
Many of my clients have lived in bad marriages for years and have dealt with physical and mental abuse. Their spouses have cheated on them, hidden assets, and attempted to control everything about my clients' lives. While this behavior is reprehensible, it may not be enough to obtain a court-ordered protection order against your spouse.
To file for a temporary protection order, you must show the judge that you face an immediate threat of physical harm from domestic violence. If the judge believes this danger exists now and is serious, he or she will issue a 90-day temporary protection order. In most cases, your husband would be ordered to stay 100 feet away from your home or person.
After 90 days, the judge can turn the temporary protection order in a permanent order, extend it for a period of time, or let it drop. Violating either a temporary or permanent protection order can result in jail time.
Free Lawyer Consultation
During difficult times, it is helpful to talk to a lawyer you can trust. For a free initial consultation with attorney John Waters about domestic violence and protection orders, call 303.731.6327 or fill out the contact form on this Web site.
