Salt Lake County Domestic Violence Attorneys
Offering Compassionate Counsel & Legal Protection
For those with questions about domestic violence and divorce rights, domestic violence and child custody, or concerns about their safety, it is important to meet with a knowledgeable and trusted attorney. If you are facing this kind of sensitive and potentially dangerous situation, you can turn to Eric M. Swinyard & Associates, PLLC for legal guidance and protection.
Contact us at (801) 515-4133 for a case review to see how we can help. From our South Jordan office, we serve Salt Lake County and Utah County.
What Is Domestic Violence?
While many people have specific images of what is considered domestic violence in their mind, the law defines it as the abuse of one partner by the other while the two are engaged in an intimate relationship, such as marriage. Domestic violence can also occur between dating partners, parents and children, siblings, and roommates.
Some types of domestic violence include:
- Physical assault, such as striking the other partner
- Shoving a partner
- Sexual assault (including rape)
- Stalking the partner
- Intimidation
- Trying to isolate the partner from his or her family members or friends
- Emotional abuse
- Withholding money or hiding funds in an effort to control the other partner’s actions
Sometimes, when the violence reaches its worst point – such as in a life-threatening situation – one partner may decide to leave the relationship. It is important for those who are considering leaving an abusive relationship to think about their safety during this time. Some of the factors to consider when divorcing an abusive spouse include restraining orders related to the divorce and domestic violence.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Eric M. Swinyard & Associates, PLLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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Eric did an awesome job.
Eric did an awesome job for my heavily contested custody case. Each of the professionals we worked with seemed to speak very ...
Gavin S. -
I would definitely refer them to others for any legal needs!
I worked with Eric and his team during a stalking case. They were awesome to work with! They kept me informed and comfortable ...
Mallory H. -
He is very prompt with his responses to emails and phone calls which makes the process less stressful.
Eric was very knowledgeable about the process and explained the options available without pressuring me into something I was ...
Amy Lee -
He handled all matters promptly and thoroughly. He cares deeply about his clients and makes sure their needs are fully understood.
Eric is an outstanding attorney. He handled all matters promptly and thoroughly. He cares deeply about his clients and makes ...
Thomas M. -
I have had an absolutely positive experience through and through with them. They’re professional, empathetic, and ethical. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.
It takes a lot to say that you love the experience you had with your lawyer, but it’s true. Ryan Ficklin is awesome. Eric ...
Nicolle G. -
Highly recommend Eric and Preston without reservation. Their fees are more than reasonable and their service more than expected.
Very professional and represented both parties fairly. At the end of the day, we received such empathy and understanding at a ...
Bart -
This was all so stress free. I’m extremely great full for Preston and his staff for putting forth all the time to help me out!
Guys! I had THE best experience! I had NO idea how to file for my divorce but Preston was amazing, very patient and made sure ...
Dalisa -
I couldn’t be more pleased with the results and would definitely recommend Eric to anyone looking for a fantastic lawyer and a great price. You won’t be disappointed.
Eric is amazing! I have worked with several lawyers over the years and Eric is the first I have felt actually cared about my ...
Logan
Leaving an Abusive Relationship: Establishing an Emergency Order of Protection
Those who are in a violent relationship should prioritize the safety of themselves and their children. Domestic violence divorce rates and statistics demonstrate that one of the most dangerous points in the relationship is leaving. Therefore, if you are involved in an abuse relationship, you and your children need to find a location where the abusive partner cannot find you. Think about staying with a friend the abuser doesn’t know, a domestic violence shelter, or even a hotel.
If you have time to plan, some of the important things to think about include:
- Leaving clothing and other essentials with a friend to hide the packing
- Starting to document the examples of physical or emotional abuse
- Noting dates and times of important events
- Making a list of safe contacts
- Starting to stockpile cash when possible
Domestic Violence in Child Custody Cases
Those who are leaving an abusive relationship also need to think about how this is going to affect their children. The emergency order of protection will keep the abuser away temporarily, but more permanent rulings are needed.
When the courts rule on child custody, they are going to rule in the best interests of the children. This means considering whether the home is safe. Judges in Utah will consider the presence of abuse and domestic violence charges when making their child custody decisions. It has been well-established that violence impacts children, that seeing violence negatively affects their upbringing, and that children who witness violence may accept it as normal. Therefore, this will likely influence both child custody and visitation decisions in domestic violence cases. Therefore, making a long-term plan for the children is a crucial part of all divorce proceedings.
Tips for Divorce Cases Involving Domestic Violence
Finally, there are also several other tips that you should remember if you are leaving an abusive relationship.
These include:
- Do not forget to document evidence of abuse to help establish a protective order with the help of a lawyer
- If you have experienced domestic violence and need help with a divorce or custody case, do not agree to attend mediation without first hiring an attorney to help you negotiate a settlement
- Even the simple threat of harm to children will lead to full custody being awarded to you
Most importantly, remember to ask for help from a trained legal professional. At Eric M. Swinyard & Associates, PLLC, we offer compassionate counsel to the victims of domestic violence. We are here to help you through this difficult and emotional situation.
Call (801) 515-4133 now to request a consultation.
