Category: Lawyers

By Howard Iken

A typical day in Florida courts: A couple is at the end of their rope and starts to consider divorce. Both spouses begin to think about things they never bothered with before. How can I get the house to myself? How can I make sure I win custody of the children? After seeking advice from friends, lawyers, and Internet sources, they quickly realize how to score an early win: by filing a Domestic Violence Injunction, known by most people as a Restraining Order.

The next few steps happen quickly and can have a devastating affect on the intended target. In Florida it is fast and free to file a restraining order (domestic violence injunction). All it takes is a trip to the courthouse, completion of a quick and easy form, and one hour later a judge may decide to sign what is officially known as an order of protection against domestic violence. Within 48 hours, a sheriff is dispatched to serve the restraining order on the respondent. At this point it is critical to look for a domestic violence attorney.

Right after the injunction paperwork is served a series of events begins to unfold. Most important: it now becomes a criminal offense to approach, call, or communicate in any way with your spouse. If you are served with this order, you must immediately move out of the marital home. The emphasis is on the word ‘immediately.’ You have time to take your toothbrush, underwear, some clothing, and medications. Everything else you own is now in the forbidden zone, illegal to remove or touch until further word from a judge.

If you have children, chances are the restraining order grants temporary custody to the spouse that filed the petition. In this case, temporary custody means sole custody of the children. Until a judge decides the issue you won’t have any contact with your children. You may be ordered to pay child support and/or alimony.

The effect of the Restraining Order can have a devastating effect on your entire life. If you communicate with your spouse, your children, or come too close to your house there is a chance the police will arrest you and file criminal charges against you for violating the injunction. On top of this the state attorneys office may decide to file criminal domestic violence charges against you. Within 2 weeks of the initial restraining order (domestic violence injunction), a judge will hold a hearing to decide whether the order is permanent or temporary.

After the events unfold, it will be time to consider the effect on your upcoming divorce. The black and white truth: a restraining order can eliminate your chances at ever gaining custody of your children. Alimony that is ordered within an injunction hearing may become an order within the divorce. If you end up with a criminal record it can severely alter your prospects no matter what is at issue in the divorce.

The moral of the story: a restraining order (domestic violence injunction) is not a do it yourself case. Your rights to your children, your property, and your freedom may be changed for the rest of your life. Get the best help you can afford. Your future may depend on it.

About the Author: Howard Iken is a

Tampa Florida Custody Attorney

, Divorce, and Custody Attorney in Tampa Florida. He is the managing partner of The Divorce Center, a firm of dedicated

Tampa Florida Divorce Attorneys

that practice in all divorce and custody related matters. He can be reached at 1-888-469-3486 .

Source:

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By David Cowley

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take anything and everything out for a test drive before you bought it? Sure, a car you can spin around the block a few times but imagine if you could live in a prospective house for a week before buying, or could wear those new shoes for a few days before purchasing, and so on. But one thing you can do is rent a metal detector for just about as long as you want before you decide to actually buy one. Why would you want to do this, and is it really that important?

A lot of people have dreams of finding buried treasure on a nearby beach and so they rent a metal detector to comb those beaches. This looks fun and somewhat romantic even, the idea that coins and valuable artifacts can be found in the sand. But in reality hunting for buried treasure can be something of a long and tedious prospect, especially on beaches that are well populated. This means that many other treasure hunters have come before you! So it might be a good idea to rent a metal detector for a while to see if this is really something that you would enjoy doing for hours and even days on end.

Sometimes a person will rent a metal detector in a place where they know there’s buried or washed up treasure, but remember that in some areas of the country and world the government steps in and claims these artifacts for themselves. You may get a finder’s fee or small payment, but thinking you’re going to stock your own home or get rich from this type of thing may be shortsighted. This is why you may want to rent a metal detector rather than invest in one; it’s surprising how often people just don’t understand the laws governing such activities.

There are many different types of detectors on the market. Renting several different models can also assist you in determining the type of metal detector you may want to purchase in the future. You can look at all of the different options available for the model of detector you are interested in. Do you need a detector with a sensitivity meters which you can adjust, depending on the ground surface over which you’ll be hunting? Is the view screen to your liking? How about the weight of the device? Do you get tired after a few hours of treasure hunting? Is the display easy to see and read? All of these questions can be answered before you purchase your dream metal detector.

This isn’t meant to put you off from the idea of treasure hunting, which can be great fun if you live near a beach or are going on vacation. Most resorts and public beaches will allow you to rent a metal detector and many people have found great souvenirs and other items even during their first time out hunting. You can also ask some of the locals for a good recommendation when it comes to whether or not to rent a metal detector as many have been combing the beach for years. But just to be sure that this is a hobby or activity you know you’ll enjoy for the long run, it’s recommended that you rent a metal detector before you actually buy one just to be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth and will be using it for years to come.

Happy Treasure Hunting.

About the Author: David Cowley has created numerous articles on Treasure Hunting. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Treasure Hunting. Visit

Treasure Hunting

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