In and around Eatonton, expecting a baby or caring for a newborn should be a hopeful time, but for some it is exactly when a partner grows more controlling or dangerous. We offer private information about protective orders so you can protect yourself and your child.
Daniels & Taylor serves Eatonton families from our office in Lawrenceville.
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With a baby on the way or a newborn at home, you may feel more vulnerable and more dependent than ever, just as a partner's behavior turns frightening. The early days with a child are when many people feel most trapped, and that is when reaching out matters most. A judge can put safety, temporary support, and custody terms in place quickly. Tell us what is going on, and we will help you understand your options.
You are not alone. Georgia's statewide domestic violence
hotline is 1-800-33-HAVEN (1-800-334-2836),
free, 24/7, and confidential.
What most people pay for a case evaluation to learn
A Georgia protective order can do more than tell someone to stay away. In a
family violence case the judge may grant exclusive use of the home, temporary
custody of the children, temporary support, and can even include the family pet
(O.C.G.A. 19-13-4).
You do not need a police report or a criminal charge to ask for one. It is a
civil petition you file yourself, and the court can issue a same day ex parte
order to protect you right away, followed by a hearing (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3).
Family violence is broader than physical harm. It covers acts like stalking
and criminal trespass between people in the same household, former spouses,
parents of the same child, and others living or formerly living together
(O.C.G.A. 19-13-1). If you were in a dating relationship but never lived together
and share no child, your path is a separate stalking protective order (O.C.G.A.
16-5-94).
How a Georgia family violence protective order works
You file a civil petition, with no police report required, and the court can
grant a temporary ex parte order the same day, then set a hearing (O.C.G.A.
19-13-3). The order can reach beyond no contact to the home, custody, and support
(O.C.G.A. 19-13-4). You file in the superior court of the county where the
respondent lives (O.C.G.A. 19-13-2).
Common questions about protective orders in Eatonton
Will my baby be covered, not only me?
A protective order can set temporary custody and support for your child along with your own safety. We walk you through exactly how that works.
Do I need proof gathered before I reach out?
No. Save messages, photos, and dates only when it is safe to do so.
What if I am unsure it qualifies?
Describe what happened and your relationship to the person. The legal label is our job.
You can ask about your options without committing to file or to hire anyone. Reach out from a safe device whenever you are able.
Call (770) 285-1673 for a free case evaluation.
You may feel the account is one sided, or that the stress of a pregnancy or a new baby strained things to this point. The order controls what you can do now, including contact and any temporary custody or support terms. The hearing is where you respond. Following it exactly until then protects you. Taking the order seriously is not the same as agreeing with it.
If a protective order has been filed against you
Nothing lasting happens without a hearing. An ex parte order is temporary, and
the court sets a hearing, usually within about 30 days, where the petitioner has
to prove family violence by a preponderance of the evidence, and that burden is on
them (O.C.G.A. 19-13-3(b), (c)).
A final order can require no contact, order you to leave a shared home, and set
temporary custody or support; it can last up to one year and may be extended to
three years or made permanent (O.C.G.A. 19-13-4). Knowingly violating a protective
order is a separate crime (O.C.G.A. 16-5-95). A family violence finding can also be
weighed in a later custody case (O.C.G.A. 19-9-3(a)(3)(P), (a)(4)). If the petition
comes from a dating relationship, it may fall under the stalking statute instead
(O.C.G.A. 16-5-94).
Until the hearing, follow the order exactly as
entered, even if you believe it is unfair. The time to be heard is at the hearing,
not by contacting the petitioner.
Common questions if an order was filed against you
Can I be involved with my child right now?
Only as the order allows. Do not make contact; raise custody and support through the court, not directly.
What should I gather?
The order, the hearing notice, messages, and the names of anyone with direct knowledge.
Does this settle custody or support?
It can set temporary terms, but the lasting decisions follow their own process and facts.
Have the order and the hearing date ready. A free case evaluation can help you address custody and support the right way.
Call (770) 285-1673 for a free case evaluation.