San Antonio Domestic Violence Attorneys

Unfortunately, domestic violence is still a problem in Texas and throughout the country. If you feel unsafe in your relationship or in your home, you need a caring attorney to help you find the resources you need to stay safe. If someone has accused you of domestic violence or has filed a protective order against you, you need to understand what legal rights you have.

No matter what side of the issue you face, you must act quickly. You should have a legal advocate who will help you through the process. The San Antonio family law attorneys at Reuter Law Group, PC have nearly three decades of combined legal experience and know how to address these matters. We understand the urgency involved and will represent your best interests.

How Domestic Violence Can Affect Your Divorce

Texas laws take a serious stance on family violence. They especially prioritize the safety of children. Allegations can affect your ongoing family law case in several ways, including:

• Custody rulings – Domestic violence can result in the accused losing out on custody rights or may result in limited visitation, including supervised visitation.
• Termination of parental rights – In extreme cases that involve child abuse, the court may terminate an abusive parent’s parental rights permanently.
• Spousal maintenance – In some divorce cases, the court may award a victim of domestic abuse a certain amount of spousal maintenance.
• Protective orders – The court may grant the accuser a protective order as part of the divorce proceeding, which will limit the accused from contacting or going near anyone named in the order, possessing a firearm or committing further violence.

The court may also order that the person accused leave the family home and give up any rights to use or possess community property.

The Texas Protective Order Process

The person who wants a protective order, known as the complainant or applicant, files an application in their county naming the alleged abuser or respondent. Note that the Texas Department of Human and Regulatory Services  can also file for a protective order when they see fit. Courts will often issue a temporary order until the hearing, which is within 14 days of filing. At the hearing, the judge reviews all evidence and listens to the testimony. If the judge decides to issue the order, it will be valid for one year.

Texas also allows for temporary restraining orders, which are similar to protective orders. The main differences are that a restraining order cannot be part of another family law petition and only lasts for 14 days. It protects both people and property, but does not affect child custody or child support.

Take Action Today

Time is of the essence when it comes to domestic violence cases. Consult with one of our experienced San Antonio domestic violence lawyers to find out what you can do now. You can schedule an appointment at our office by calling 210-761-6184 or completing our online contact form.