Help! My Ex is Threatening me! Should I Get a Restraining Order? (Pt 1)

Threats from your spouse, or ex, can be very scary! Get the help you need!

 

It’s a scary situation, we get it. Your marriage was turbulent, and your divorce was nothing short of total madness. Your ex has always been an intimidating person, and now that you’ve left them and their pride is wounded, they’re being particularly nasty to you. Which is terrifying, because you have no idea if this is as bad as it gets, or if the situation is going to escalate and blow up in your face! And what about your kids? Are they going to get caught in the middle of something dangerous if this gets out of hand?

 

You have a lot of questions, and you need some help figuring out your next move. That’s what we’re hoping to do here – to provide some information that will help you make a more informed choice about whether or not to get a Personal Protection Order, and also make the process seem a little less intimidating. But please remember, there is only so much you can take away from an online article. If you’re in danger, or you believe your life is being threatened, please don’t hesitate to call the police and seek the sanctuary you need!

 

How do I really know if I need a PPO?

 

This part can be the hardest, because the person we’re talking about here is someone you loved and used to be in a relationship with. Asking the court to keep them away from you is serious, and can sometimes exacerbate an already difficult relationship. However, if you really need the protection, then it’s important that you get it.

 

  • Situations that would be grounds for a PPO in Michigan:

 

  • Your partner hits, slaps, kicks, punches or physically assaults you in any way for any reason.
  • Your partner sexually assaults you. This could include forcing you to have sex when you don’t want to, or to perform sexual acts you don’t want to engage in.
  • Your partner threatens to harm, injure or kill you
  • Your partner continuously harrasses you. This could include phoning you repeatedly at unreasonable hours; making persistent and unwanted seuxal advances towards you; and following you around or regularly showing up at your home or job.

 

If my ex is a threat to me, how do I get a restraining order?

 

Once you’ve determined that your ex’s behavior is threatening, and you need to get a personal protection order, the process can be a little intimidating. There’s a lot of information out there, but not all of it is current, or relevant to Michigan residents. So what’s your first step?

 

First, you need to know which type of PPO you’re going to file. There are two types in Michigan, and they each apply to different situations, but in your case, because the person threatening you is a current or former spouse or partner, you’re going to need to file a Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Order. This is a court order to stop threats or violence against you by someone with whom you have a domestic relationship. That could include:

 

 

Getting a PPO can be a complex and emotional process. Let us help you.

 

Join us next time to look at what exactly is involved in the filing process, and how PPOs are enforced in Michigan. Until then, if you or a loved one are feeling threatened by a current or former spouse, and need help getting a restraining order, call The Kronzek Firm at 866 766 5245. Our skilled family law attorneys have helped hundreds of Michigan residents protect themselves and their children over the years, and we can help you too.

 


Posted

in

by