Domestic violence is a devastating form of abuse between two people who share an intimate or personal relationship. The effects domestic violence can have on women and children are incredibly difficult and long-lasting.
Abusive partners often become more frightening, controlling, and abusive as time goes on. Abuse is often cyclical, and you may experience stages where the abuser expresses deep remorse, followed by periods of high tension and conflict.
If you are a victim, then it is essential you contact an Ohio domestic violence attorney as soon as possible. They will act quickly to protect you and your children if you have them.
You should not try to leave an abusive partner without the help of a skilled Blue Ash domestic violence attorney. It is essential that you have the support of a legal professional who has experience in these types of cases and understands the care and dedication they require.
Woodford Sathappan McGee exclusively represents women in family law matters. This narrow focus provides us with a unique ability to meet the needs of women, especially when it comes to cases involving domestic abuse.
Many women who are victims of domestic violence do not realize that they have powerful constitutional rights. We will support you to bring you back to a place where you can take strong action. Our goal is for you to be able to leave your marriage feeling confident and secure about your future. Many of the women we support do not initially see how that can be possible and are amazed by what they can achieve with our help.
If you are dealing with an abusive spouse, then we will get to work quickly to file a protection order, which will keep your spouse away from you and your children and give you exclusive rights to your home and children. We will then act as your guide in every negotiation and will be prepared to stand for you in court.
Your divorce decree is a legally binding document, and how family law issues such as child custody, property division, and child support are resolved may impact the rest of your life. It is essential that an abusive partner is not allowed to control the situation. When you have experienced representation from a domestic violence attorney, you will arm yourself with the tools you need to protect your rights and secure a bright future.
Contact our law firm today at 380-212-3731 to schedule a free consultation with a family law lawyer.
We understand how much courage it takes to leave a violent relationship, and it may take several attempts for you to finally leave for good. When you contact Woodford Sathappan McGee, we will get to work quickly.
We will help you obtain a civil protection order so that your spouse is forced to stay away from you. You can also ask for exclusive rights to your residence, temporary financial support, and temporary child custody. If the judge determines that domestic violence has occurred and will probably occur in the future, then they will grant your protective order, which can last up to five years.
This will give you the space to make decisions from a place of clarity, and you will be able to regain your life without having to hide or move away from your home.
If you do not feel safe in your home, then we can help you find a domestic violence shelter, sometimes called a women’s shelter. This will provide a safe space for you and your children. The location is not public, so it will be very difficult for your partner to find you.
You may need to be prepared for your ex-spouse to have their own family law or criminal defense attorney. When you have your own high-quality legal representation, you will help ensure that the truth is made clear. Your attorney will help you gather evidence to support your claims and will ensure that the court understands the extent of your experiences.
Taking a stand for your own safety and for the safety of your children is incredibly difficult. But with friendly support and dedicated representation throughout the entire process, you can begin to look forward to your new life.
In Ohio, domestic violence is taken very seriously. If you or your child is a victim, then you should seek support as soon as possible to prevent further harm.
Contacting a family law firm is a great place to start. However, if you are in immediate danger, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which is open 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233. They offer free, confidential advice either via call, text, or chat.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, you may also choose to contact the Ohio Health Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) at 614-267-7020.
Sometimes an emotionally abusive partner may attempt to control aspects of divorce by making false claims of domestic violence. False claims of domestic violence could harm your reputation, relationships and career. They could also prevent you from having custody of your children and limit the support you receive after divorce.
Woodford Sathappan McGee will passionately fight for the truth and protect your future. Ultimately, the court will not look favorably at anyone who makes false claims of abuse.
Despite the word domestic, domestic violence can occur anywhere, not just in the home; domestic refers to the relationship between the victim and abuser, not the location where it occurs.
Domestic violence law covers the threat or act of violence that one person commits against people related by marriage or blood, who share a child, or have lived together as a couple in the previous five years.
Domestic violence offenses are not just physical attacks; in accordance with the Ohio Domestic Violence Statute, it can take many forms, including:
In Ohio, you can choose to file for an at-fault or no-fault divorce. Most people file for no-fault divorces, which allows couples to separate on grounds of insupportability and does not require much evidence.
However, as a victim of domestic violence, you can choose to file for an at-fault divorce. This will help you to highlight your spouses’ behavior and can help you to more explicitly express your needs when it comes to factors such as child custody and financial support. Justifications for an at-fault divorce include:
Your attorney can help you decide whether to file for a fault or no-fault divorce and will help you to evidence your claims. Either way, you will need to file separate domestic violence charges to secure protective orders. Any evidence you present in fault-based divorces can also be used to evidence your claims.
For women with children, divorce can be particularly complex and emotional. If there has been a history of domestic violence, then it can change the outcome of a custody case.
In Ohio, the majority of divorces result in a shared custody arrangement. The family court is required to make decisions that are in the best interest of the child, and that usually means keeping both parents heavily involved in their life. However, if one parent poses a danger to the child, then the other can fight for sole custody.
Even when sole custody is awarded, the other parent may still be granted rights to supervised visitation. In some cases, visitation may be terminated altogether, but this will require strong evidence that it is in the child’s best interest.
In order to secure sole custody, it is necessary to have a child custody attorney who can help you to provide evidence that your ex-spouse poses a danger to your child. It is rare for parents to agree on sole custody, and it is likely that your case will need to go to trial. Your attorney will also help make sure that any visitation orders are in the best interests of your child and meet your and your child’s needs.
Supervised visitation is where all visits between a child and an abusive parent take place in the presence of a designated third party. Although it may be difficult for you, it is important that you facilitate these visits. If not, you could be guilty of contempt of a court order.
Supervised visitation is often temporary, and if an abusive parent takes certain steps, such as therapy, or they can show that they are no longer a danger to the child, the court may lift a supervised visitation requirement.
If your ex-spouse is fighting for better access to your child and you are concerned about your child’s welfare, then you should seek advice from a family law attorney who can help to protect you and your child.
In Ohio, parents are awarded rights and responsibilities. Responsibilities refer to the time each parent spends with the child and where their primary residence is. Parental rights refer to the right to make important decisions on behalf of the child, such as where they go to school, what medical care they receive, and whether they practice a religion.
Once parental rights are terminated in Ohio, the decision cannot be reversed. Parental rights are only terminated in severe circumstances; if you believe that the other parent should not have parental rights to your child, you will need an attorney who can present your case in court.
Situations that can lead to a loss of parental rights include:
In Ohio, both parents are legally required to financially support the upbringing of their children. Usually, the non-custodial parent pays child support to the other unless they earn significantly more.
Child support payments are determined by Ohio state guidelines and are based on each parent’s income and benefits. Domestic violence cases do not affect child support obligations. However, if one parent has limited or supervised custody, then they will be required to pay child support.
Spousal support, sometimes referred to as alimony, are payments one spouse is made to pay another after divorce. They are not always granted, and if they are, it is usually to allow both people to maintain a standard of living that they became accustomed to during the marriage.
Ohio sets guidelines for spousal support, and domestic violence is not a determining factor. However, the court will consider factors such as your ability to earn money, each spouse’s property and income, and the length of the marriage. There are cases where a history of abuse could affect your ability to work. For example, if you are suffering from PTSD, you may not feel able to work right away. In these situations, an attorney can help you make a strong case for spousal support.
You may also be able to seek monetary damages for domestic violence in a separate civil suit against your abuser.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, then securing representation from an attorney who understands your situation and is able to give your case the care and dedication it requires is essential.
You may have never needed an attorney before, which can make it difficult to know what to look for. Here are some things to consider when looking for an Ohio domestic violence attorney.
In family law cases involving domestic violence, it is essential that you feel comfortable speaking with your attorney. These cases can be highly personal and emotional; you need to feel comfortable speaking with your attorney without being judged so you can be honest about your experiences. You also need to feel confident that your attorney is taking your experiences seriously and is willing to do everything possible for your case.
Many family law firms offer free consultations, which will allow you to speak with them and decide whether you feel comfortable speaking with them. A high-quality domestic violence attorney is not only there to provide legal services, they are also an important source of support.
Domestic violence victims often feel isolated. You may be concerned with your children’s well-being, the reaction from friends and family, and your future security. Divorce is often one of the most difficult things a person goes through, and when domestic violence is involved, family law matters are even more challenging.
Therefore, you need to be supported throughout all family law matters. Although an experienced domestic violence lawyer may have a full caseload, they will still have time to keep you informed and will be prompt to answer you when you need to contact them.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we are proud of our personalized approach to the attorney-client relationship. We will take the time to get to know you and will guide you throughout the divorce process. We believe in empowering women with knowledge of their rights and will always be prompt to answer your questions.
When it comes to family law matters involving domestic violence, the stakes are high. It is essential that decisions in your case are made which protect you and your children. That requires an attorney who is able to convince the judge of your experiences.
It is also important that your attorney has a deep understanding of both state and federal family law. That will enable them to do everything possible to secure a good outcome in your case. If they are local to you, they may have experience with the judge overseeing your case and can tailor their approach.
If a law firm practices everything from personal injury to criminal defense, you might question whether they really have an in-depth understanding of Ohio family law.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, 100% of our time is dedicated to supporting women in family law matters in Ohio.
Most family law matters involve mediation, which is where a trained mediator sits ex-spouses down together and helps them come to amicable agreements. This limits court involvement, which saves time and money and allows for more personalized arrangements.
However, when a case involves domestic violence, mediation can be extremely difficult. It is very likely that a trial will be necessary so that a judge can make rulings on the couples behalf. Therefore, it is essential that your attorney is skilled in both mediation and litigation.
At Woodford Sathappan McGee, our attorneys are highly skilled litigators. We are prepared to handle even the most complex and high-conflict cases and have successfully litigated many cases involving domestic violence.
When you find a family law firm that seems like a good fit, you can seek a consultation. At Woodford Sathappan McGee, we offer a free consultation so that all women can seek some initial advice.
Some questions you may like potential law firms are:
Attorney Natalie McGee is a fierce advocate for women, she is committed to helping women transition to a new and better life. Natalie believes that women are often defined by their role as a wife or mother, despite being so much more.
Natalie attended The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she worked for the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office and was immersed in courtroom dynamics. She has represented clients in the Ohio Courts of Appeal and the Ohio Supreme Court.
Natalie is passionate about defending women in criminal matters and serves as a Marsy’s Law Attorney to victims of domestic violence and other abuse. She is uniquely qualified to support victims of domestic violence and is ready to dedicate herself to your case. `
In 2021, Attorney Natalie McGee, along with her partners Katie Woodford and Hari Sathappan, started Woodford Sathappan McGee to support women in family law matters and to help them feel confident in their lives after divorce.
Attorney Jennifer Scheller is the managing attorney for the Cincinnati office. She takes an educational approach to ensure her clients are comfortable and understand the entire process.
Jen is an active member of the Board of Directors for Safe Harbor, a non-profit that helps shelter and transform the lives of domestic violence victims and human trafficking. She is passionate about women’s needs and spends much of her professional and personal time helping women achieve their goals. She is highly skilled in both mediation and litigation and has helped countless victims of domestic violence so that they can move forward.
Thanks to our dedication to women, we have created a safe space for women to share their experiences. We have helped hundreds of women navigate family law matters involving domestic violence and helped them feel confident about their future.
Contact our law offices today at 380-212-3731 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced domestic violence lawyer.
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