Q: Is it permissible for my Husband and/or his Lawyer to call my Landlord?
With help from my family I was able to escape an extremely abusive marriage. I’ve been living alone, in hiding from my estranged Husband for the past two years while my lawyer has been working to overcome my Husband’s (& his Counsel’s) deliberate delays as well as both of them obstructing our access to my Husband’s financial info. I’m so terrified of my Husband that (thru my lawyer) I offered to forgo alimony in exchange for keeping my present address private. During a recent hearing, I disclosed my address after my Husband’s lawyer demanded it. (My lawyer did not object.) Until I’m able to again move, I’m concerned about my Husband &/or his lawyer contacting my landlord. My fears are not limited to just my imagination. At one point, an officer of the court warned me he believed my Husband is, “disturbed.” Now that the court is mandating relief for me, I’m more terrified than ever. I’m afraid my Landlord will inadvertently mention some detail leading to my doom. Can he refuse the call?
A: In Florida, it is typically permissible for your husband's lawyer to contact your landlord, especially if it is relevant to the ongoing legal proceedings. However, given your concerns about privacy and safety, it's important to take steps to protect yourself. First, discuss your concerns with your attorney and inform them about your fears. They can guide you on how to proceed and may communicate with your husband's attorney to request that they respect your privacy and safety by not contacting your landlord. Additionally, consider notifying your landlord about your situation and kindly request that they do not share any information about you without your explicit consent, emphasizing your need for privacy due to safety concerns.
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