Some romantic relationships end on mutual agreements. In such instances, it is not uncommon for the former couple to carry on as friends and focus on other things like parenting if they share a child.
However, some relationships end badly. If this happens, you might wonder whether you need to obtain a protective order against your ex. Also known as a restraining order, a protective order is a court-issued directive that protects you from an abusive partner. Here are two signals that you need one:
Is your spouse abusing you or your child?
The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological or verbal. For instance, you can obtain a restraining order against your spouse if they have a tendency of becoming violent when they are inebriated.
Is your spouse threatening you with physical harm?
It’s important to know that even the threat of physical violence can be enough of a reason to seek a restraining order – even if your spouse hasn’t yet acted on their threats.
Examples of threatening behaviors can include text messages, phone calls or images of weapons such as a gun or a knife.
Is your spouse threatening to abduct your child?
Parental abduction is a very real issue. If your spouse has connections in another country or out of your state and they’ve threatened to take the children where you’ll never find them, you need to act quickly.
Obtaining a restraining order may not be a simple process. However, it is necessary if your life and that of your children are endangered – and it can be the first step towards a safe, successful divorce.
