Our family lawyers have extensive experience in representing the aggrieved or respondent in a domestic and family violence matters. We also have experience in obtaining an ousting order to remove the perpetrator from the residence or in making an applicant to vary the terms of a Protection Order.
It is important to know your legal rights by obtaining legal advice in relation to domestic violence and family law matters (such as property settlement, spousal maintenance matters, parenting matters and child support). We are here today to help you. If you’re ready to get professional family law advice, contact our Gold Coast family lawyers today to arrange a free 45 minute no-obligation initial consultation.
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It is important to understand that domestic violence does not just mean that someone is being physically abusive. Domestic and Family Violence includes verbal, financial, and emotional abuse as well.
If you find yourself, male or female, in an urgent or unsafe situation and you don’t know what to do with your family law matter, we are here to help.”
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“text”: “If you are engaged in separation or divorce proceedings and the other party makes an allegation of family violence that you assert is false, you will likely have to respond to this allegation in Court. Our team of family lawyers can assist you defending an application by collecting appropriate evidence and witness statements to address allegations of family violence and will assist you in knowing your rights and options at law.”
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“text”: “A Protection Order or Domestic Violence Order is not a criminal conviction, although it imposes certain restrictions which may be onerous. The Order may have an impact on you by affecting care arrangements with any children you may have or any immigration matters you may be engaged with. It may also affect any security clearances that you have for your employment or your ability to have a gun licence. Accordingly you should always obtain legal advice about how to best deal with the Order made against you and how it will impact upon you moving forward.”
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If someone controls many aspects of your life such as who you socialise with, your access to finances, social media and technology you may be experiencing domestic and family violence.
It is important to understand that domestic violence does not just mean that someone is being physically abusive. Domestic and Family Violence includes verbal, financial, and emotional abuse as well.
If you find yourself, male or female, in an urgent or unsafe situation and you don’t know what to do with your family law matter, we are here to help.
If you are not in an urgent situation, but you are the victim of family or domestic violence, it can be hard to make the decision to leave.
You have the right to live in a respectful and loving relationship and you do not need to live in fear.
If you are in a domestically violent relationship, we recommend you do the following to prepare for an emergency:
Find someone you can really trust, whether it’s a family member or friend. You do not have to go through this alone. Agree on a code word, so that if you are in a domestically violent situation you can either send a message or make a call and say the word for help. Also, prepare an excuse so you can leave immediately if necessary.
Support services can help provide you with help and encouragement through shared experiences. You can contact one of the following:
Make a plan so that you can stay safe and escape quickly in the case of an emergency. Your plan should include:
Once you have left, you’ll need to change all of your passwords and turn off location settings on all devices, including but not limited to:
If you are engaged in separation or divorce proceedings and the other party makes an allegation of family violence that you assert is false, you will likely have to respond to this allegation in Court. Our team of family lawyers can assist you defending an application by collecting appropriate evidence and witness statements to address allegations of family violence and will assist you in knowing your rights and options at law.
A Protection Order or Domestic Violence Order is not a criminal conviction, although it imposes certain restrictions which may be onerous. The Order may have an impact on you by affecting care arrangements with any children you may have or any immigration matters you may be engaged with. It may also affect any security clearances that you have for your employment or your ability to have a gun licence. Accordingly you should always obtain legal advice about how to best deal with the Order made against you and how it will impact upon you moving forward.
If you decide to consent to the terms of a Protection Order, our team of family lawyers can assist you in Court by negotiating what the final terms of a Protection Order will be.
If a Protection Order is in place and if you breach the terms of that Protection Order, then you must remember that you could be charged by the Police with a criminal offence if the police decide that there is enough evidence to convict you.
Special Counsel
BA, JD
Jill heads our Family Law area of practice, bringing experience, knowledge and a practical approach to the firm.
+61 (0)7 5556 7400 wolffj@hickeylawyers.com.au