A DVPO can do more than protect you and your children. Depending on the facts of your case it may:

• Allow you to live in the home where you and the abuser have lived together and order the abuser to move out and not return, no matter who owns the home or is on the lease;
• Order the abuser to provide for you to live elsewhere;
• Have the police to remove the abuser from the home and assist you in returning to the home;
• Give you possession of personal property including a car and household goods;
• Order the abuser not to assault, threaten, abuse, follow, harass, or interfere with you and your children in person, at work, on the telephone, or by other means;
• Order the abuser to stay away from any place you request including your school, your children's school, your work place, your friends' homes, or any place where you are seeking shelter;
• Give you temporary custody of a minor child, order the abuser to pay temporary child support, and establish temporary visitation (custody, child support, and visitation only apply if the abuser is the parent of the child);
• Order your spouse to pay temporary spousal support;
• Prohibit the abuser from possessing or purchasing a firearm;
• Order the abuser to attend treatment program;
• Order the abuser to pay attorney's fees; and/or
• Order the abuser to do anything else you ask for and the judge agrees to.

The laws governing domestic violence are complex. The experienced family law attorneys of Haas McNeil & Associates, P.A. will guide you through the legal process. Commitment and responsiveness to our clients' needs are our top priorities. Please contact us at 1-866-783-9669, or via our online contact form, to get more information and schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.

read North Carolina law regarding relief from Domestic Violence