It’s no secret that going through a divorce can be an emotional matter. However, when your ex begins harassing you during this time, it can make your divorce even more stressful. Unfortunately, many are unsure how to navigate these matters or what their legal options are during these times. If you are facing harassment, the following blog covers how Tampa divorce lawyers can fight for you during these upsetting instances.
What Constitutes Harassment?
In Florida, harassment is any behavior or action that is made with the intention to annoy, cause fear, or cause emotional distress to another person without any legitimate reason. There is a wide variety of behaviors that can constitute harassment in Florida, including stalking, property destruction, burglary, cyberstalking, or making threats.
For example, if your ex repeatedly calls you just to curse at you or hangs up as soon as you answer, simply to annoy you or disrupt your day, this would constitute harassment in Florida. Additionally, any threats made against you or your children, or if they continually show up at your home, place of work, or child’s school, even though you have asked them not to, would also be considered harassment.
What Should I Do if My Ex Harasses Me During Our Divorce?
It’s important to understand that, like many states, Florida no longer requires a reason for a divorce. As such, if you are experiencing violence or harassment from your spouse, you will be unable to cite this as the grounds on which you are filing. However, you can fight for protective orders against your spouse.
If you believe you are experiencing harassment at the hands of your ex during your divorce, it’s imperative to take the necessary steps to protect yourself. One of the most important things you can do is document harassing communications, instances in which your ex is showing up unwelcome in different locations, or cyberstalking.
Documentation can help the court take action, as it cannot issue protective orders based on your word alone. If the judge finds the evidence credible and believes you are in danger, they will grant the restraining order, which is then served to your spouse by a police officer. This order can help deter your spouse from contacting you or continuing their behavior, as violations of an order can result in fines and criminal penalties.
As you can see, going through a divorce in which your ex is continually harassing you can be an incredibly upsetting matter. However, the legal complexities of this process can make this issue overwhelming. As such, if you are being harassed by your ex during your divorce, connecting with an experienced attorney from Tampa Law Group is imperative. Our firm can assist you through these difficult matters so you can fight for the best possible outcome. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
