Indianapolis, IN asked in Domestic Violence, Divorce and Child Custody for Tennessee

Q: Can a nonresident on Knoxville TN get an order of protection in Knox County?

I have a friend how is in a very abusive marriage and wants to get away from him at all costs, but has nowhere to go and noone to turn to so i offered my home, here in Knoxville, to her and her child. I'm a resident of knoxville, TN, but she isn't. She was a resident of Georgia her whole life, but is now staying with me. She is scared to death that once he finds out where she is he will come here and hurt her. Can she file an order of protection, in knox county, agenst on her abusive husband whom still lives in Georgia?

1 Lawyer Answer
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • Columbia, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: It seems to me she needs a divorce, not just an order of protection, ( and you can still get an order of protection as part of a divorce). Problem is, she must be a resident of Tennessee for at least 6 months before she can file for divorce here. If its that dangerous, she shouldn't wait 6 months to file. She should file "long distance"- she can file in Georgia but continue to live in Tennessee, but this means she will have to travel to Georgia for the court hearings. Expensive, but maybe safer.

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