Manassas is a beautiful town in Virginia with a population of just over 40,000. You won’t be able to enjoy the beauty of the town if you are going through a divorce. Divorce can be a tough thing to go through, especially when there’s any kind of violence or threat of violence involved. You might be dealing with someone who’s hurting you emotionally, physically, or even in ways you can’t always see right away.
One of the most dangerous things that can happen in a divorce is when a partner starts stalking you. If your ex starts showing up in places where they’re not supposed to be, calling or texting you all the time when you’ve asked them to stop, or even following you around, do not hesitate to reach out to a Manassas protective order lawyer.
These are all red flags that things are getting worse, and they might be signs that violence is just around the corner.
Call the Police If You Feel Threatened or Have Been Harmed
If your partner is acting aggressively or you feel scared, don’t hesitate to call the police. It doesn’t matter if things haven’t turned violent yet or if it’s just getting worse. You need to let the police know what’s going on. In many cases, police will help you keep a record of everything that’s happening.
This could help you down the line if you need a protective order (which is a legal way to make sure your spouse stays away from you).
Even if you don’t have a lot of evidence yet to prove that violence is happening, don’t wait for things to escalate. Sometimes, people start getting scary during divorce, especially when they know they’re about to lose something important.
If that happens, a restraining order could be your next step. It’s not as powerful as a full protective order, but it still puts rules in place to make sure they stay away.
Always Meet in Public Spaces and Avoid Going Alone
You might have to meet up with your ex for some reason, like exchanging kids or dealing with stuff that needs to be divided. If this is happening, always choose a public place and don’t go alone.
A busy cafe or a parking lot with lots of people around would be a perfect meeting place. If you’re scared, bring a friend with you.
Even better, you could meet at a place like a police station where there are always people around who can help if things get out of hand. And, just in case, make sure your phone is fully charged and keep it handy. You might need to record a conversation or call 911 if things go south.
Seek Guidance from a Family Law Attorney
A good family lawyer will help you with all the legal stuff, like getting protection orders or filing for divorce. But they’re also there to guide you and help you stay safe. They know what resources are available to you, like shelters, therapists, or financial planners, and they can help you connect with them.
You don’t have to do this alone. Your lawyer isn’t just there to help you with the legal documents; they’re there to make sure you get the support you need.
Protect Yourself Financially
If your ex is controlling the money, it can be hard to make sure you’re financially secure when you leave. If you haven’t already, open a separate bank account under your name only.
Take your name off of any joint accounts, and make sure all your passwords are updated. If your spouse has access to any of your accounts, change the passwords immediately.
It’s important to do this as soon as possible because if things go wrong, you don’t want to be left without any way to support yourself.
Your lawyer can also help you understand how to protect your assets and keep everything above board during the divorce process.
