Domestic Violence Lawyers
Services We Offer For Domestic and Family Violence:
1) Drafting an Application for a Restraining Order
Our lawyers will obtain your instructions and draft your Application for submission for restraining orders in the local Magistrates’ Court.
This application for restraining orders will be supported on a factual basis, by the information you provide to us in support of your application for restraining orders in order to protect you and your loved ones. Our lawyers will then appear on your behalf at the first Court hearing to ensure your application is well-positioned and you have a strong advocate who understands how to address the legal requirements of a restraining order application, what the issues at law are, and what matters need to be addressed.
2) Contesting a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Made Against You
If you are the Respondent to an application and summons, meaning that you have been served with paperwork giving you a date to appear in Court, then it is imperative that you act without delay.
Our lawyers will provide you with sound legal advice, can represent you at the Court hearing and ensure that you have competent advice on the laws that are impacting your life. We ensure that you are receiving objective and qualified legal advice.
You may have the best intentions to represent yourself, but you are unlikely to give yourself objective advice, understand the relative questions that the law requires, understand how case law interacts with statutory law or to have the years of education and training that a qualified lawyer has. Our lawyers will to inform you of the substantive and procedural laws surrounding domestic violence and any potential restraining orders you may face. Our lawyers will provide you with a legal strategy and present you with your options and obligations in contesting any restraining order application or complying with Court Orders.
Call us today and with your instructions our lawyers can help you prepare for your appearance and assist you to achieve the best outcome available in the circumstances.
3) Preparation of Court Documentation for Mention or Final Hearing
With your instructions, our lawyers can prepare an Affidavit in support for a mention or for a final hearing or trial.
4) Attending Court Hearings
Our lawyers can prepare for and attend Court dates, including a final hearing and trial.
Additional Services
My Legal Crunch also provides advice on existing Court Orders in addition to appearing for both Applicants and Respondents. Our lawyers can provide advice on extraneous issues which form part of Court Orders for family and domestic violence matters, such as:
- Criminal charges for breach of Orders or assault matters
- Practical advice on counselling and undertaking a course of action to improve your circumstances
- Child and parenting arrangements
- Visa disputes
- Property disputes
If you require further assistance, call us today to speak with a lawyer to learn about your rights.
Domestic Violence is behaviour towards another person that includes:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Economical abuse
- Threats or coercion
- Attempts to control or dominate another person, causing them to fear for their (or someone else’s) safety or wellbeing
Family Violence is defined as:
- When someone is violent or is threatening to be violent towards a family member
- Any other behaviour that coerces or controls another family member, or causes them to be fearful
- Includes physical, financial, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse
Family members are:
- People who share intimate or personal relationships (i.e. married, de facto or domestic partners)
- Parents and children (including stepchildren)
- Birth relatives, relatives through marriage or adoption
- People who you treat like a family member (i.e. caretaker, guardian, or person related to you within the familial structure of your culture)
- Anyone who used to be considered a family member in the past (including ex-partners)
Depending on the area you reside in, the specific legal methods used to safeguard yourself or a loved one from domestic violence may differ, although they are similar for the most part. Select your state/territory below to learn more:
New South Wales – Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO) (APVO)
Victoria – Intervention Orders (IVO) (PSIO)
Western Australia – Violence Restraining Orders (VRO) (FVRO)
Queensland – Domestic Violence Orders (DVO)
A single incidence of domestic violence can greatly affect the lives of involved parties. Restraining orders issued by the police or the courts can ban someone from contacting or communicating with the perpetrator for a certain time period.
Our team of lawyers are committed to providing you with first-class legal advice and legal representation at an affordable rate. We will also provide you with an estimate of your costs ahead of time.
We provide a free 15-minute consultation with one of our solicitors. During this consultation, you’ll receive a clear understanding of:
- The type of services we offer
- The costs that may be associated with your matter
- Some legal strategies to help improve your situation.
We can start working on your case after you decide to retain us. Once retained, we can then start preparing for your matter without delay.
Domestic Violence Lawyer FAQs
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence which is sometimes called Family Violence is where a family member through an act or omission makes someone feel unsafe or afraid or commits a physical act such as punching, kicking or pushing. Domestic violence generally includes controlling or threatening behaviour which can be direct or indirect and often occurs over time but can be a one-off occurrence.
A Family Member can include, anyone you have a family relationship with, which includes:
- Your partner
- Children whether biological or under your care
- Relatives
- Anyone you treat as family
Domestic Violence can take many forms and includes when another person you are in a relationship with:
- Is physically abusive
- Is sexually abusive
- Is emotionally or psychologically abusive
- Is economically abusive
- Is threatening
- Is coercive
- In any other way controls or dominates a person and causes a person to fear for their safety or wellbeing or that of someone else
Relationships covered by the law include:
- An intimate personal relationship (married, de facto, registered relationship, engaged, couple and same-sex partners)
- A family relationship (a parent, or former parent, of a child, or your relatives)
- An informal care relationship (where one person is dependent on the other person for help in an activity of daily living like dressing and cooking for them.
For more information about Domestic Violence call us today on 1800 572 417 and speak with one of our lawyers.
If you are in immediate danger please call 000 or contact your local police station.
If you require emergency housing or counselling and support please consider calling:
- DV Connect in Queensland, Domestic Violence Support Services Victoria
- Domestic Violence help in New South Wales
- Respect in Western Australia and for the rest of Australia
- Womensline 24 hours / 7 days on 1800 811 811
- Mensline 9am to 12 midnight, 7 days on 1800 600 636
I need a lawyer who can meet with me on a flexible schedule, can you accommodate my lifestyle?
Yes. We have a range of resources and a team of Lawyers who offer top-quality legal services. Our lawyers can arrange to meet with you in one of our offices, at our meeting rooms, in chambers, at a Court or other agreed location. We can also arrange Skype and telephone appointments saving you time and money. We are here to work with you and to make your life easier.
How do I know if you can help me?
We help many people across Australia work through issues of family and domestic violence. If you have domestic violence or family law matters in Court, or if you are looking to make an Application to have Court Orders put in place, then call My Legal Crunch on 1800 572 417. We can provide you with a 30-minute free consultation, and if we are unable to assist you for any reason, we will refer you to another legal practice, legal aid or a community legal centre that may be able to assist you.
Do you use barristers and if so do they cost extra?
Our lawyers are experienced in appearing in Court for matters that relate to Domestic Violence. Usually, unless the matter is very complex, we can forgo the cost of retaining a Barrister which is one of the ways we can offer our clients affordable legal services. In some complex matters, we can engage one of our trusted Barristers to attend Court for your matter. We have great relationships with our Barrister, and as such we are able to secure competitive rates, keeping your costs down.
Do you undertake other legal work like criminal matters?
Yes, our lawyers handle a variety of different areas of legal practice, including providing robust Criminal defence legal services, family law and we also defend individuals who are charged with a breach of Court orders.
How much do you charge?
We can offer you affordable pricing and in some instances fixed fee prices when it comes to Domestic Violence and Family Law matters. When we discuss your matter during our free consultation, we will let you know if your case falls within our fixed price structure and if not, we will tell you upfront what the expected cost would be.
Do you provide legal aid?
At this time we do not provide legal aid legal services.
I need more information and resources about domestic violence and family law, can you help me?
Our lawyers can provide you with information and resources regarding Domestic Violence and Family Law.
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If your ready to take the next step, lets chat about how we can help to get your life back on track. Call us at: 1800 572 122 to arrange an informal chat. We are here to help every step of the way. Please note that My Legal Crunch does not provide legal aid services.