I’m dealing with a really long history of DV with my ex, and it’s honestly overwhelming. It’s like a classic projection case—everything I’ve been accused of is what they’ve done themselves: alienation, intimidation, the whole thing. I’ve made the mistake of not speaking up sooner, and now I’m scared for my life. I have a lawyer, but the work needed for my case goes way beyond their scope. I’ve got over 800 pages of messages with scattered threats, admissions, and lies. It’s too much for me to handle on my own, especially since I’m dealing with severe PTSD. So, my question is, who can I hire or reach out to for help building my case? I feel like I need someone who understands the crossover between DV and Family Law. What kind of person or organization can help me get through this?
Have you tried reaching out to the YWCA? I know they have attorneys who might be able to help with situations like yours.
Keenan said:
Have you tried reaching out to the YWCA? I know they have attorneys who might be able to help with situations like yours.
Thanks, that’s a good suggestion. I think DV organizations are definitely the next step for me. I didn’t realize they had attorneys, so I’ll explore that. I’m even willing to pay someone if needed—seems like there’s a real need for that kind of help in situations like this.
What’s your end goal with all of this? Are you looking to get a restraining order, deal with custody issues, or are you going for some kind of financial compensation in a civil case? If it’s for a restraining order, I’d say gather the most important dozen or so pages of evidence to turn in. For custody cases, some of the harassment you’ve experienced might not even be relevant.
@Querida
Honestly, right now I’m just trying to figure out who can help me go through all of this information. But yeah, I guess eventually it’s about safety and custody, so I need to be prepared for both.
You mentioned having PTSD, and that’s gotta be making this process even harder. Have you considered working with an advocate who specializes in both DV and legal cases? They can help you figure out what’s relevant and how to organize your evidence without getting overwhelmed.
@Yasmine
I haven’t looked into that yet, but it sounds like exactly what I need. The sheer amount of information I have is just too much for me to go through alone, especially with my mental health situation. I’ll definitely look into finding an advocate.
@Moore
Yeah, an advocate could really help you break everything down into manageable pieces. They can also help you figure out what’s most important for the court to see.
You could also consider reaching out to your local legal aid office. They might be able to connect you with someone who can help you organize your documents and build your case. It’s overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
@Camila
I didn’t think of that. Legal aid could be a good option, especially if they can help with the specific crossover between DV and Family Law. Thanks, I’ll look into that.
You didn’t really ask for specifics, which is probably why people are having trouble understanding your question. Could you clarify what kind of help you’re looking for?
LegalLiam said:
You didn’t really ask for specifics, which is probably why people are having trouble understanding your question. Could you clarify what kind of help you’re looking for?
I actually did ask three specific questions. I’m looking for help with documentation, someone who understands DV and Family Law, and I want to know what organizations might be able to help me with this.
@Moore
Ah, got it now. In that case, I’d suggest combining legal aid with an advocate for DV cases, they might work together to help you manage the paperwork and make sense of the legal aspects.