There is nothing quite as horrible as being involved in a case of domestic violence. You might have been threatened or physically harmed. You worry about yourself and your children.
The good news is that there are ways to modify custody and take other steps to protect yourself against potential abuse in the future. Pennsylvania takes abuse seriously and provides several different options to help you protect yourself.
When you speak with your attorney about your fear of abuse taking place or the history of abuse in your home, they will discuss possible protective measures. You may want to seek one of the following protections:
- A Protection From Abuse order for yourself or your kids
- An application to the Address Confidentiality Program, which helps you get a P.O. box instead of having a physical address for receiving mail
- Modifications to your spousal support or custody orders
Everyone’s situation is different, so your attorney will discuss the options that are open to you.
Can you seek a modification of custody if you feel that your children are threatened?
Yes, but you will need to have supporting evidence for your claims. The court also takes allegations of abuse seriously, but you could be accused of making false allegations if you have no evidence to support what you said took place. If you want to seek a modification based on abuse, it’s important to work with your attorney to build a case, so you have the supporting documentation you need to show the court.
It’s not easy to deal with situations like this, but if you’re concerned about your family’s safety, there are steps that you can take to protect yourselves and to get out of a dangerous situation.