Experience
Our firm’s founder Attorney Charles Montgomery has over 40 years of proven, award-winning legal experience.
In 1979, North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Domestic Violence Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § Chapter 50B), to deal with the increasingly recognized issue of domestic violence. This statute protects a wide spectrum of individuals, including:
Under this statute, any act which intentionally causes, or attempts to cause, bodily injury is classified as domestic violence. Any act which places a person in fear of "imminent serious bodily injury" by threatening the use of force is also domestic violence, as are sexual violence and non-consensual sexual contact.
The statute also protects against acts of "continued harassment," which consists of unwanted communications that serve no legitimate purpose. These communications can include:
In Wake County, North Carolina, you can contact InterAct of Wake County's 24 Hour Crisis Line at 919-828-7740 or 866-291-0855 (toll-free).
To obtain a protective court order against your abuser, you must file a complaint at your county courthouse (or if the courthouse is closed, with your local county magistrate) alleging the specific facts of domestic violence and your relationship to the abuser.
The complaint forms are available from the Clerk of Superior Court at all county courthouses in North Carolina, or from the magistrate's office after regular courthouse hours.
By law, no court costs will be assessed for the filing of a complaint seeking a domestic violence protective order.
Based upon your complaint, the court may issue an ex parte protective order. “Ex parte” is a legal term meaning that the court entered the order based on a hearing in which one of the parties was not present.
In an ex parte order, the court can order that you be given possession of your: home, personal property, household possessions, vehicles, and animals kept as pets.
The court may also order that your abuser stay away from your residence, place of employment, or your children's schools, and in some cases, custody of minor children you share can be awarded on a temporary basis.
By law, the court must conduct a second hearing (a "return hearing") within 10 days after issuing an ex parte protective order. At that hearing you will again testify to the specific facts of domestic violence.
Your abuser will also have the opportunity to testify in his or her own defense. Witnesses may be called to testify as well.
If the presiding judge is convinced that acts of domestic violence took place after hearing testimony from the parties and any other witnesses, the court will issue a permanent protective order which is effective for one year.
Protective orders automatically terminate after one year. Prior to its termination, a victim may apply to the court for the renewal of his or her protective order for up to an additional two-year term (which can itself be renewed for "good cause" prior to its expiration).
Once you obtain a protective order, the Sheriff's Department in your county will attempt to serve the order on your abuser as soon as possible. You should also keep a copy of the protective order ready at hand if there is any future need to call the police for protection against your abuser.
If you have experienced domestic violence, you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 4 million women in the United States are subjected to domestic violence each year.
Although women make up the vast majority of those who experience domestic violence (85%), men and children are also affected. There are specific laws in North Carolina that provide quick and effective protection to domestic violence victims.
If your abuser becomes uncontrollably violent, and you believe that you or your children are in danger, you should immediately call the police. When you have reached safety, you should then call the domestic violence agency in your county for additional advice and directions to a shelter if you are fearful of returning home.
For more information, please contact us at (919) 348-2317. Our team can provide you with resources and support from domestic violence groups.
Our firm’s founder Attorney Charles Montgomery has over 40 years of proven, award-winning legal experience.
At Montgomery Family Law, each of our attorneys dedicates 100% of their law practice to family law and divorce.
Two of our attorneys are N.C. Board Certified Family Law Specialists, a certification earned by only 1% of lawyers statewide.
Known for our dedication, our firm is rated AV Preeminent® by peers, the highest rating possible for ethics and legal skill.