Dealing With Harassment During Your Illinois Divorce

 Posted on October 02, 2020 in Divorce

It is completely normal to feel strong emotions during your divorce. After all, you are ending your relationship with the person with whom you thought you were going to spend the rest of your life. Most people are able to control the emotions that they feel during the divorce, but others are unable to handle their emotions in a healthy manner. Rather than finding healthy and appropriate ways to cope with the feelings they may be experiencing, they instead stoop to bitter and spiteful actions. When this behavior includes harassment or stalking, it puts even more stress on your plate and is actually illegal in some situations. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family from this type of danger during your divorce.

What Counts as Harassment?

In the state of Illinois, harassment is defined as actions taken knowingly with no legitimate purpose that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress and that actually does cause you emotional distress. There are many different types of behavior that could qualify as acts of harassment, including:

• Constantly calling, leaving voicemails, or sending text messages or emails to you, your children, or any other family members

• Refusing to leave you alone when you have requested him or her to do so

• Following you in public or waiting for you outside of your workplace

• Verbally abusing or threatening you, your children, or any other family members

• Posting personal information or degrading or offensive comments about you on social media

Protecting Yourself and Your Family

Fortunately, the state of Illinois provides ways for you to protect yourself in situations like these. Many people do not realize that there are options available to them to take legal action against their spouse if their spouse’s behavior makes them fear for their safety or the safety of their children. Your attorney can help you obtain an order of protection against your spouse, which would prevent him or her from committing any further harassment and to cease all forms of communication. In some cases, you may even be able to file criminal charges against your spouse if he or she committed an offense that was serious enough to warrant a charge.

Contact a Kendall County Divorce Attorney Today

There are many issues that could possibly apply to your situation when you get a divorce, such as spousal maintenance, child support, and even harassment or stalking. If you are experiencing any type of difficulty with your divorce, you should discuss your situation with a knowledgeable Yorkville divorce lawyer. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we can help you navigate the legal proceedings, including what to do if your spouse is harassing or stalking you as a form of intimidation. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+26%2E5&ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=75200000&SeqEnd=75900000

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3123&ChapterID=57