Domestic Violence Victims Feel Like They Have No Choice: I Help You Understand You Do!
Violence between people in intimate relationships is a major problem across Hampton Roads and all of Virginia. Domestic violence leads to suffering, injuries, and fear. And often, ending the situation may take the involvement of a dedicated, compassionate domestic violence attorney.
My name is Melissa Kelley, and I’m an attorney dedicated to solving problems. As a woman-owned firm, I understand the struggles and fears of my clients with domestic violence issues. I empathize and care, and I fight for the outcome my clients deserve.
Your Safety Is My Priority
Survivors of domestic violence have everything to worry about and often everything to lose. Domestic abuse can happen in so many ways, but they typically fall into these categories:
- Physical abuse: Physical abuse and domestic violence involves all actions of contact, from assault to rape to stalking and other aggressive actions. These leave people injured and traumatized.
- Mental abuse: Causing fear or self-doubt, frequent shouting and angry outbursts, gaslighting, and monitoring all communications are actions that place a toll on a person’s mental health and create suffering.
- Financial abuse: Monitoring bank accounts, denying access to funds, changing passwords, and withholding financial records are all efforts to control a person’s spending and, by extension, their resources and freedom.
Domestic violence creates among the most challenging situations to leave. These actions above are intended to create dependencies that cannot be easily overcome or walked away from by their victims. This is known as “Coercive control.” If you’ve suffered from these types of interactions and abuses, you probably need help moving on.
I’m sensitive to the problems facing my clients. People suffering from domestic violence need to know that their attorney is only in their corner, and that’s what I offer. I give my clients total commitment to their care and safety.
How I Can Help With Your Case
As your domestic violence attorney, I will provide you with the services you need to take the next step. I’m always ready to work for my clients in such situations as:
- Protective orders: In Virginia, you can receive a protective order either on an emergency basis or a more long-term basis. An emergency protective order is – by necessity – easy to obtain, but keeping it in effect can be complicated.
- Custody battles: Access and threats to children are a primary method of control for an abuser. However, I can help you secure the legal protections that you and your children need to get away.
- Criminal charges: Filing a criminal charge against your spouse or romantic partner is a high-stress situation. You may not have thought you’d get to this point, but this may be the right choice for you.
Filing domestic violence charges or taking action on any instance of domestic violence can improve your position in your divorce.
However, the goal is your safety. And I will help you secure that safety and improve your case in whatever way I can.
A Lawyer And A Counselor
When is enough enough? That is a question my clients have to answer for themselves, but it isn’t a question you have to struggle with alone. I’m a lawyer. Before that, I was a litigation manager for an insurance company. My training and life have been around solving problems, and part of that is thinking everything through to the endpoint.
I’ll provide you with answers to your questions, like:
- How do I know if I’m in a domestic violence situation?
- How does Virginia define “Family Violence”?
- What is the difference between domestic abuse, domestic violence and intimate partner violence?
I can speak with you about your worries and concerns. I can help you prioritize and visualize what life will be like on the other side of a potential legal action. Most of all, I’ll be there to listen to you about the struggles you’ve survived and help you know that there is a future for you and a way to get there.
I’ll Help You However You Need
If you need a dedicated fighter for your divorce, I will be there. If you need a barrier between you and your abuser, I will be there. I am your resource, confidante, and advocate so you can get to a safer place and move on to a happier, more fulfilling life.
You get to have a future, and it will be my pleasure to help you secure it, whether that means representing you in a criminal case or simply filing paperwork when necessary. Reach out to me in Hampton Roads by calling or sending an email using this online form.