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Manhattan Beach Domestic Violence Lawyers

Domestic violence is a term used to describe any violent or abusive action from one partner toward the other in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, or even friendship. Domestic violence can include a variety of actions such as physical abuse as well as any forms of emotional and even sexual abuse. It is estimated that approximately 1.3 million women are victims of domestic violence every year in the United States. Unfortunately, less than one percent of all cases are actually reported to the police.

After seeking help from friends, family, and the authorities, you may also want to pursue legal measures to put an end to domestic violence. Do not suffer any longer through this unjustifiable violation. Contact the Manhattan Beach domestic violence lawyers of the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield at 310-546-5858 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

Reasons to Seek Legal Help

At the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield, we are vigorously committed to helping victims of domestic violence to hold their abuser accountable. Any of the following should lead you to immediately seek legal help:

This can be a very trying time in your life. Dealing with a violent and abusive relationship can take a toll on all aspects of your life, including your physical and emotional health. You need to speak with someone you can trust and someone who can support you in this difficult matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Domestic violence is a stressful and frightening experience. To ease some stress, we have provided the answers to a few of the questions we hear most often below.

What are my legal options if I’m a victim of domestic violence in Manhattan Beach?

If you’re a victim of domestic violence, there are several different avenues that you can pursue, including criminal charges, protective orders, divorce, and temporary orders, each one with a different purpose and different procedures. For example, criminal charges involve making a police report and waiting for a district attorney or prosecutor to authorize charges. On the other hand, a protective order is a civil order that you may petition the court for at any time. As part of a divorce proceeding, there are also critical steps to take to protect yourself and your children.

Regardless of which avenue you select, it’s crucial to take action. It’s also important to understand the differences between the criminal and civil remedies available to domestic violence victims in Manhattan Beach. You may want to work with a domestic violence counselor to create a safety plan. A safety plan helps you think through what steps you can take to protect your safety before a dangerous situation arises.

Can domestic violence influence a child custody decision in Manhattan Beach?

Yes, domestic violence can influence a child custody decision in Manhattan Beach. In fact, domestic violence is a key consideration in a child custody decision in California. Family violence is one thing that the court considers, along with the child’s community ties, emotional ties with each parent, and the ability of each parent to care for the child. For the court to properly consider domestic violence as part of a child custody determination, the court must have evidence that the domestic violence occurred. Police reports, photographs, 911 recordings, and admissions are all critical to showing the court what has happened in your case and what’s in the best interests of the children.

Domestic violence is a serious consideration for the court’s determination of both physical and legal custody. Physical custody refers to the person who provides physical care for the child and determines the child’s visitation schedule. Legal custody involves major decision-making authority for the child. A situation with domestic violence involving parents or children could impact both physical and legal custody. The court may believe that it’s not appropriate to expect a victim of domestic violence to make major decisions about the children with the other parent when the other parent engages in domestic violence.

How is divorce different when there’s domestic violence involved?

In cases of divorce that involve domestic violence issues, temporary orders, protection orders, and detailed custody orders may be necessary to protect domestic violence victims. In addition, joint physical and legal custody may be inappropriate in situations where there domestic violence is present. Spousal support and child support may be appropriate to help victims cover expenses and transition. While most divorce cases use a process called mediation to resolve issues of dispute, the courts do not expect domestic violence victims to participate in mediation. California law protects victims of domestic violence both during and after the divorce process.

Contact Us

Contact the Manhattan Beach domestic violence lawyers of at the Law Offices of Baden V. Mansfield for compassionate and committed legal counsel and representation. Call us at (310) 546-5858 today.

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