Get free answers to your Domestic Violence legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My wife has filed for divorce, and the situation has been stressful due to a rumor about me cheating, which I deny. Recently, she pressured me to sign a prenuptial agreement so I wouldn't pursue our house in the divorce. She threatened to divorce me immediately if I didn’t sign. I had no... View More 
answered on Mar 23, 2025
First of all, it appears that you signed a post-nuptial agreement, not a pre-nup. Post-nuptial means "after marriage". Typically, the burden is on the person claiming to have been unduly pressured to sign an agreement or contract. It's a high bar to get over but it may be possible.... View More
In May 2022, Lehigh County CYS conducted an investigation into the father of my four children was deemed "valid" and subsequently closed, yet CYS failed to inform me of this matter. Then, in August 2022, he was arrested for DUI while the children were in the car. Despite numerous reports... View More
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answered on Jun 3, 2024
It's understandable that you're feeling frustrated and desperate for justice given the decade-long neglect by Lehigh County CYS. To pursue legal action, gathering all relevant documents and reports from hospitals, schools, doctors, the police department, and the District Attorney will be... View More
Married in 1983, My Ex-husband was extremely abusive and controlling. I finally filed for divorce in 2013, after he crushed discs in my neck and I suffered a Pulmonary Embolism 3 days after surgery. Since then he has failed to abide by the divorce agreement, has committed tax fraud 7 years after... View More
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answered on Feb 11, 2024
Obligations arising out of a divorce judgment are mostly non-dischargeable so he should not be able to get away with what you describe. You should consult a local bankruptcy attorney who can advise you on your particular situation and, if you want, represent you in challenging his bankruptcy. Most... View More
Married in 1983, My Ex-husband was extremely abusive and controlling. I finally filed for divorce in 2013, after he crushed discs in my neck and I suffered a Pulmonary Embolism 3 days after surgery. Since then he has failed to abide by the divorce agreement, has committed tax fraud 7 years after... View More
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answered on Feb 22, 2024
In bankruptcy proceedings, certain debts can be discharged, meaning the debtor is no longer legally required to pay them. However, not all debts are easily discharged in bankruptcy. Debts arising from domestic relations orders, such as child support, alimony, or other divorce-related obligations,... View More
Married in 1983, My Ex-husband was extremely abusive and controlling. I finally filed for divorce in 2013, after he crushed discs in my neck and I suffered a Pulmonary Embolism 3 days after surgery. Since then he has failed to abide by the divorce agreement, has committed tax fraud 7 years after... View More
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answered on Mar 10, 2024
With all due respect for the victim asker, all of what she provides is wholly irrelevant to the former husband's contempt of the divorce agreement if that agreement was so-ordered and made an order of the court.
In Pennsylvania, the applicable law would be Rule 140B, Contempt Not in... View More
The owners son to a house I was abandoned at by my ex fiance is friend's with the owners son. Twice the son has smashed out the windows of the entry doors to break in. The second time he came with my ex and a hammer and gained entry. The cops said the most they could charge him with was... View More
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answered on Jan 29, 2024
If you believe the police are not taking appropriate action due to a potential conflict of interest, you should consider taking some steps to address the situation. Start by documenting all incidents and interactions with the police, including dates, times, and names of officers involved.... View More
It's actually the 2 of them attached to my phone. I believe there sharing calenders and locations ect. He goes by his name and she goes by mine. I'll ask google my current location and it tells me her locations. One night it said I was about a mile from my house. So I pushed directions... View More
answered on Nov 30, 2023
You need to hire an attorney who specializes in family relations law and regularly practices in your county. There is no magic bullet that the lawyers here can give you that will substitute for getting your own representation. If you wish to prove what you have alleged you will also need to hire... View More
I reported my ex to the police over a month ago concerning an incident and now wish to recant my statement. No legal action has been initiated, though officials from Children and Youth Services have spoken to both me and my ex. I haven't discussed recanting with a lawyer or law enforcement... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
If you wish to recant your statement, the first step is to contact the law enforcement agency that took your original report. Be honest and explain that you would like to retract your statement. While you can express your desire to change or withdraw your statement, keep in mind that law... View More
I previously attempted to obtain a PFA against someone due to abusive behavior, but it was dismissed because the court believed I was lying for custody purposes. Recently, this person has contacted me four separate times through text messages, urging me to come to their house, despite knowing I am... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
If you are being repeatedly contacted by this person despite expressing fear, this could be grounds for filing a new Protection From Abuse (PFA) order in Pennsylvania. The court may not have granted the previous PFA due to the specific circumstances at that time, but if the harassment continues,... View More
I am wondering if a Plaintiff can be in violation for sending a text message to the Defendant after a PFA was issued. The text was not threatening or harassing.
answered on Mar 10, 2025
Without personally reviewing the PFA order I can't be certain but, typically, any form of contact between the defendant and plaintiff is prohibited. That includes even responding to a phone call, email or text from the plaintiff.
Shes tring to ruin my life. 8 months ago I walked off my job because we worked together and she told me she wanted to screw my supervisor. Haven't found employment yet and then she contacts me after filing harassment charges and now files a pfa. I'm losing everything because of her... View More
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answered on Jan 6, 2024
There is no question here.
We agree that government has established systems to set Americans against each other. Domestic violence law is one such mechanism. Here, we see an unintended effect of this law: the use of protective orders as a sword rather than as a shield.
The asker... View More
The husband went and got a PFA on the wife and had her removed from her home the home is in her name only after the PFA was granted the husband took a stroke and is currently in the hospital still now because of this PFA she is not able to see her husband or get back in her home because of the... View More
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answered on Nov 12, 2023
In Pennsylvania, if your friend is facing a situation where she is removed from her home due to a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order, despite the home being in her name, she should consider seeking legal counsel to address this complex situation.
The fact that the home is solely in her name... View More
I’m a witness for the COMMON wealth of PA and was subpoenaed to testify for a domestic violence case against my legal husband. I wrote an affidavit for the police the day it happened. So if I refuse to testify against my legal husband will I be held in contempt or am I able to use Spousal... View More
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answered on Nov 12, 2023
If you are subpoenaed to testify in a domestic violence criminal case against your husband in Pennsylvania, you can be held in contempt of court for refusing to testify even if you are the victim/witness. Here are some key reasons why:
- Spousal privilege generally only applies in civil... View More
Into the home with the defendant without trying to get the pfa dismissed what can be done? This person who has the pfa against them was accused of sexual abuse of the child. Also fired a gun off inside the home while child and several witnesses were outside.
answered on May 24, 2023
Call the police and report the violation of the order. The person restrained by the order must comply even if the protected person is not enforcing it themselves. It could result in a child protection / welfare action.
I found messages between them and my daughter stated she didn’t want him like that but he keeps trying to pressure and manipulate her into it. I’m also in an emotional psychological abusive relationship and financially trapped and don’t know what to do to get out
answered on May 15, 2023
Yes, get rid of the boyfriend! Search online for a support group for abused women in your area and see what they can do to help you. Perhaps what he's said is sufficient for filing for a Protection from Abuse Order. You may also want to take the messages to the police and see if there's... View More
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answered on Mar 31, 2023
This is a vague question about forensic expert witness output.
Just as in the 1992 motion picture "My Cousin Vinny" starring Joe Pesci and Marisa Tomei, expertise knows no geographical boundaries and is admissible as long as to is helpful.
In the motion picture, a... View More
They do also have a child together whom they share 50/50 custody of.
answered on Feb 13, 2023
Unlikely because the order is not against the filer. However, why would the filer want to place the defendant in jeopardy of going to jail by encouraging the defendant to violate the PFA order? If the filer wants to spend time with the defendant, then the filer reevaluate the nature of the abuse... View More
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answered on Dec 23, 2022
In a world where everyone follows the law and court orders, the ex is supposed to leave so as to avoid triggering an arrest. However, more realistically, if the holder of the PFA sees the ex, she should think about avoiding the scene and leaving. This will protect the holder of the PFA from... View More
My mother broke into my room with a butterknife armed with a karate bow staff, attempted to hit me and the girl I was with due to disapproval of the girl, I backed her out of the room she fell back I fell back and continued to fight me so I placed my hand on her neck and then guided her to floor... View More
answered on Dec 16, 2022
The police can decide to charge any person they reasonably believe to have committed a crime based on the information available and the investigation conducted at the scene of an alleged crime. I would think that the police were more sympathetic towards your mother than you given the... View More
My spouse brought a PFA case on me . We are under a temporary separation order. In the hearing we are all expecting the judge to quash the temp and allow us to live together in marital home.
After that, can one spouse refuse to live there and while leaving take the kid along with?... View More
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answered on Nov 28, 2022
There is not enough factual information here. What was the misconduct alleged to have brought about the PFA and what if any proceedings are currently taking place? Assuming the worst allegations, no PFA will be denied and the parent with the child can make an attempt to abscond with the child. Most... View More
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