Need an Order of Protection? Then realize . . .

Need an order of protection in Illinois? If you think you do, then you should realize a couple things about orders of protection (or as some call them, “restraining orders”).

Tip 1: You need to be in a “domestic relationship” with the abuser.

You can’t get an order of protection again just anyone. It has to be someone with whom you have had a “domestic relationship.” For example, a family member, a significant other, a roommate. It’s not for co-workers. So you will NOT get an order of protection if your co-worker is harassing you if you never dated that person, are not related to that person, or do not live with that person.

Tip 2: You need evidence

I do help clients get order of protection. And I also help people defend against order of protection.

Do you know how many cases I have lost defending an order of protection? ZERO.

There are a couple reasons for that. First, many people who try to get orders of protection do not deserve them. Second, as a domestic violence lawyer, I know how to attack someone’s case, and to ruin the credibility of an accuser. Anyone lawyer can go into court and make some allegations for a client. But it takes a good lawyer to really fight a case, and win.

What wins cases? Evidence.

When clients hire me to start an order of protection case, I help them gather an present evidence in the most effective manner.

Tip 3: Think big picture

Sometimes people are a in a hurry to get an order of protection. But as a divorce lawyer, I know that orders of protection can tie into other matters – such as a divorce in Illinois.

I will use big-picture thinking to help you strategize about the best way to handle your case. The idea is to avoid making mistakes early on. And do to that, you need to prepare for what can happen down the line. I’ve been there, and I can help you do that.

About the author: Contact Illinois family law attorney David Wolkowitz at 312-554-5433 or online. He is a family law and divorce attorney serving Chicago and the Counties of Cook, Champaign, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. Areas of practice include divorce, uncontested divorce, child custody, visitation, spousal maintenance, child support, and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction & Enforcement Act (the “UCCJEA”).