Uncover the Truth Behind Protective Orders Filed
So, you have kids, and your ex has filed protective orders against boyfriends in the past, but you don’t know why. You don’t know what happened. Well, you should—and you’d better find out. Hi, I’m Tulsa protective order defense attorney Clint Hastings. I practice here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I focus on fathers’ rights, and I’ve been practicing for about 25 years. Let me tell you, I can’t believe how many times I’ve had clients come in with custody issues—usually modifications—and when I start asking what reasons they have, they’ll mention, “Well, she’s had protective orders against a couple of boyfriends.”
Take Action and Investigate
So, I ask, “What were they about?” And the response is, “I don’t know. She never told me, and the kids didn’t know for sure.” My reaction is always, “Why? Why don’t you know?” You should have gone to the courthouse, pulled the records, and found out what was being claimed in those protective orders.
Now, if the protective order hasn’t been expunged, you can still do this. But here’s the problem—you’ve already lost valuable time. Let’s say you finally pull the records, and it shows dangerous behavior involving your children. If six months or a year has already passed, the urgency is diminished. Still, you can argue that there is ongoing danger, especially if the same person is still around your kids.
Importance of Knowing Allegations
I see this often: protective orders get filed, then dropped, but the relationship continues. Sometimes another protective order is filed, then dropped again, and the same person remains involved with the kids. If you never investigated, that’s a failure on your part.
Many parents assume that if a protective order gets dismissed, the problem must have gone away—that the guy wasn’t dangerous after all. That’s not necessarily true. You need to know what was alleged. Sometimes protective orders also reference police involvement or domestic violence reports, which can be highly relevant in custody or modification cases.
Take Control of the Situation
So, if your ex has filed protective orders—whether against her or against her partners—you need to go to the courthouse, get copies of the petitions, and see the allegations for yourself. Don’t just assume.
Give Tulsa men’s divorce attorney Clint Hastings a call if you need help with this or any other family law matter.
Call Now for a Consultation
To take the next step towards protecting your rights and your children, call us at 918-962-0900 for a low-cost consultation.
