- Domestic violence, although it’s been around a long time, is more recognized now
- The laws have evolved so that intervention can happen rapidly as possible, to prevent serious consequences
- Delaware has a legal procedure called a “protection from abuse petition”
- A party can file it, name the abuser, and require the abuser to come into Family Court, to either consent to the agreement, or to go through a proceeding to prove that abuse has taken place
- Domestic violence can be physical, mental, or emotional, with a constant history of demeaning conduct, name-calling, and demeaning words and expressions
- A protection from abuse petition can be used in a situation of domestic violence
- The petition can be for a one or two year period
- It can require the abuser to vacate the marital residence, to make support payments, and to pay expenses associated with the marital residence while the abuser is out of the residence
- Further, it can require that a motor vehicle be awarded to the party residing in the marital residence
