Seeking protection
We help clients explain their concerns, identify relevant information, and prepare for proceedings involving protective orders. Your circumstances guide the discussion about the next steps.
DM LAW · CENTRAL FLORIDA FAMILY LAW
Domestic violence & injunctions
Focused on Family | Committed to Results
Seeking or responding to an injunction can be an urgent and emotional experience. DM LAW provides careful attention to the facts, hearing preparation, and related family-law concerns.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Responding to a petition
If you have been served with an injunction petition, we can review the documents, discuss your response, and help you prepare to present your position at the hearing.
The wider family-law picture
Protective-order proceedings may overlap with parenting or divorce disputes. We consider the related issues and help clients keep track of the orders and proceedings affecting their lives.
YOUR FIRST CONVERSATION
What to have in mind.
You do not need every answer before calling. These details can help frame the conversation:
- The petition, any temporary order, and hearing notices
- Relevant communications or records already in your possession
- Information about related family-law cases
Our staff can explain how to provide documents after the initial intake and conflict check.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers for the decisions ahead.
Can you help me seek protection or respond to a petition?
DM LAW represents people seeking and responding to injunctions, subject to a conflict check and an agreement for representation. We review the allegations, available evidence, existing orders, and hearing schedule to prepare an appropriate response.
Do I have to be married to seek a domestic violence injunction?
No. Florida’s domestic violence injunction law applies to qualifying family or household relationships, not only spouses. The relationship and alleged conduct determine which form of protection may apply. We review those facts before discussing the appropriate proceeding.
Must a divorce case already be filed?
No. A domestic violence injunction may be sought whether or not another case is pending between the parties. Tell us about every related family-court matter and existing order so we can assess overlapping issues.
What should I bring to discuss an injunction case?
Bring the petition, any temporary order, the hearing notice, and relevant existing court orders. Identify messages, photographs, records, or witnesses that may help explain what happened. Preserve original materials and discuss with counsel how evidence should be prepared for court.
What happens at an injunction hearing?
The court considers the request and the evidence presented under the applicable procedures. Preparation may include organizing a timeline, identifying relevant witnesses, and addressing disputed allegations. Douglas’s prior service as a Virginia Magistrate included more than one hundred domestic violence hearings and informs his approach to preparation.
Can an injunction affect parenting or use of the home?
Depending on the facts and the relief ordered, an injunction can affect contact, access to a residence, and parenting arrangements. Related family-court orders also matter. We review the actual terms and how they interact with your family-law case.
What if a hearing is coming up soon?
Contact the firm promptly and provide the date and copies of the papers. Continue to comply with existing court orders while seeking advice. A website inquiry alone does not establish representation or extend a court deadline. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
General information; the options in a particular case depend on its facts and applicable law.
Florida law: § 741.30
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR NEXT STEP
A plan starts with
a conversation.
Contact DM LAW in Sanford.