Over the years, families may face issues involving other members that they are not getting along with. Sometimes members of the family may face issues due to substance abuse. Whether this involves the abuse of alcohol or drugs, it can cause a great deal of damage to the family. With these abuse issues, individuals may become violent. This can lead to domestic abuse. Even if domestic abuse does not take action in a physical form, it may still be categorized as domestic abuse. Abuse from a family member is a serious situation that should not be ignored. It can be physical, emotional or psychological. If you face domestic abuse in your household, it is important that you get the help you need. Contact our professional attorneys for legal counsel to best assess your situation. We want to ensure that you are safe in your home and free from harm’s way.

How is domestic violence defined?

Maryland is a proactive state with matters involving domestic violence. Domestic violence is defined as abuse between family or household members. These situations may include assault, intimidation, threats of bodily harm, acts that cause harm, stalking, false imprisonment and attempts of commission of a sexual offense.

How can I escape domestic violence?

When you are first faced with domestic violence, it is important to remember that you should not be ashamed. You should seek the help of a medical professional. If the abuse is physical, you want to make sure that your health is in order. If the abuse is mental or emotional, seeking out the counsel of a therapist is a good way to cope with it. Your health should be the first priority. A therapist can be a great way to address the issues that have been happening in your life. They can guide you toward recovery and explain more about situations involving domestic violence or abuse.

A protective order can be sought in order to end domestic abuse. They can be put in place in reference to a number of relationships. This can include spouses, intimate relationships for more than 90 days during the past year, relation by marriage, blood or adoption, parents of a child, caretaker-vulnerable adult relationship, parent-child relationship, stepparent-child relationship for longer than 90 days in the past year or a sexual relationship within one year of filing the petition.

What do protective orders do?

For the most part, a court will grant relief to a party if they request a protective order. These legal documents have the ability to stop the abuse. Through the protective order, it prohibits any contact or harassment from the abuser. It has the ability to keep the accused individual away from a child’s school, a victim’s job, where the victim resides or the family members’ homes. It can also prohibit the accused from entering the home by forcing them to leave the house if the victim lived there at the time. If the two parties are not married, but the victim lives with the abuser and is on the lease or lived with the abuser for over 90 days in the past year, they may be prohibited from entering the home. Through this order, it can provide temporary custody of any children or pets.

Albers & Associates is comprised of experienced personal injury, criminal defense, and family law attorneys. Our firm is proud to serve clients in Baltimore, Maryland. If you require strong legal representation that will fight to protect your future, contact the attorneys at Albers & Associates to schedule a consultation.