| A typical day in Florida courts: A couple is at the end | | | | until further word from a judge. If you have children, |
| of their rope and starts to consider divorce. Both | | | | chances are the restraining order grants temporary |
| spouses begin to think about things they never | | | | custody to the spouse that filed the petition. In this |
| bothered with before. How can I get the house to | | | | case, temporary custody means sole custody of the |
| myself? How can I make sure I win custody of the | | | | children. Until a judge decides the issue you won't |
| children? After seeking advice from friends, lawyers, | | | | have any contact with your children. You may be |
| and Internet sources, they quickly realize how to | | | | ordered to pay child support and/or alimony. |
| score an early win: by filing a Domestic Violence | | | | The effect of the Restraining Order can have a |
| Injunction, known by most people as a Restraining | | | | devastating effect on your entire life. If you |
| Order. | | | | communicate with your spouse, your children, or |
| The next few steps happen quickly and can have a | | | | come too close to your house there is a chance the |
| devastating affect on the intended target. In Florida | | | | police will arrest you and file criminal charges against |
| it is fast and free to file a restraining order (domestic | | | | you for violating the injunction. On top of this the |
| violence injunction). All it takes is a trip to the | | | | state attorneys office may decide to file criminal |
| courthouse, completion of a quick and easy form, | | | | domestic violence charges against you. Within 2 |
| and one hour later a judge may decide to sign what | | | | weeks of the initial restraining order (domestic |
| is officially known as an order of protection against | | | | violence injunction), a judge will hold a hearing to |
| domestic violence. Within 48 hours, a sheriff is | | | | decide whether the order is permanent or temporary. |
| dispatched to serve the restraining order on the | | | | After the events unfold, it will be time to consider |
| respondent. At this point it is critical to look for a | | | | the effect on your upcoming divorce. |
| domestic violence attorney or restraining order | | | | The black and white truth: a restraining order can |
| attorney. Right after the injunction paperwork is | | | | eliminate your chances at ever gaining custody of |
| served a series of events begins to unfold. Most | | | | your children. Alimony that is ordered within an |
| important: it now becomes a criminal offense to | | | | injunction hearing may become an order within the |
| approach, call, or communicate in any way with your | | | | divorce. If you end up with a criminal record it can |
| spouse. | | | | severely alter your prospects no matter what is at |
| If you are served with this order, you must | | | | issue in the divorce. The moral of the story: a |
| immediately move out of the marital home. The | | | | restraining order (domestic violence injunction) is not |
| emphasis is on the word "immediately." You have | | | | a do it yourself case. Your rights to your children, |
| time to take your toothbrush, underwear, some | | | | your property, and your freedom may be changed |
| clothing, and medications. Everything else you own is | | | | for the rest of your life. Get the best help you can |
| now in the forbidden zone, illegal to remove or touch | | | | afford. Your future may depend on it. |