Protecting Maria and her child from domestic violence
Maria* was referred to Clancy & Triado by Relationships Australia. She had been accessing their personal counselling services and they had suggested she seek legal advice.
Maria had been living in a same-sex violent relationship and had one child with her abusive partner. Although she had wanted to leave the relationship for many years, she was paralysed by concerns about the possible consequences for leaving – both for herself and for her child.
Clancy & Triado’s accredited experts in family law listened to Marias’ story and helped her to obtain an intervention order and sole use of the home. In court, her partner chose to represent herself. She was difficult to deal with as she was non-responsive. When she did respond, she was aggressive and inflexible.
Having developed a clear insight into her partner’s personal character, Clancy & Triado were able to negotiate appropriate supervised parenting arrangements on Marias’ behalf. The arrangements were set out in Court orders, which provided Maria and her child with some protection. Additionally, a satisfactory property settlement and ongoing child support package as well as ongoing spousal maintenance payments were negotiated and agreed.
Although the process took some time, Maria gradually became more confident and was able to move on with her life in the knowledge that she and her child were safe from domestic violence.
*The name of this client was changed to protect her privacy.