Q: If relocating due to an abusive partner, should I tell my abuser if we share a child? If so, when and how?
I reside in the state of Illinois and I am a victim of domestic violence (emotional, physical and verbal). My abuser is my child's father. Four days ago, I finally gained the courage to file a police report against the father of my child after he assaulted me once more in front of my infant child - while holding her. Now, I am fighting for the safety and sanity of both myself and baby.
I plan to relocate to the state of Alabama and have not mentioned it to him. If I were to tell him - being the controlling person he is - he would try to stop me from leaving with the baby. My question is - do I give him the courtesy of telling him the baby and I will be leaving? If so, how soon? Or do I just leave and not say anything at all to avoid conflict?
Thank you.
A: You need more advice than an attorney can adequately provide without an in-person interview. Please, for the sake of yourself and your child, make an appointment with a family law lawyer. He or she ask the questions needed to give you advice. If you don't know who to call, contact a local shelter for abused women and ask if they can recommend a lawyer. Do it now. Don't delay. There are some things that can be done immediately if your situation warrants it, and it sounds like yours does from the limited information you provided.
Juan Ooink agrees with this answer
A: You need to discuss this with a Family Law Attorney right away. The sooner you speak with a Family Law Attorney, the better.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.