What does shielding a peace or protective order mean? It means that the court records are removed from the view of the public.
Are physical records still kept at the courthouse if they are shielded? Generally, shielded records are removed to a separate and secure area where the general public would not have access to them.
Are electronic records still accessible if they are shielded? No, electronic information will no longer appear on Case Search if they are shielded.
Who can file a request to shield records? If the Respondent was found not guilty or if there is no pending interim or temporary peace or protective order, you may file a request to shield. There also must not be any pending criminal charges against the Respondent between the same parties and no other final peace or protective orders were previously issued against the Respondent from the same Petitioner.
When can you file a request to shield? A request to shield may not be filed earlier than 3 years after the denial or dismissal of the Petition or after the consent expires UNLESS you file a Request for General Waiver. A Request for General Waiver means that you release all of your claims for damages or tort claims relating to this proceeding.
When you’re contemplating a divorce, many thoughts run through your head. Am I going to be financially stable and sound? Will my kids be ok? Can I manage my career, children, and life all on my own? The answer is YES!
As a single parent myself, I can say without a doubt that you can navigate through your divorce and move on to have a full and rewarding life. The key to getting through your divorce is to have a plan in place. I often help my clients to be strategic about having a plan in place and encourage them to look at the big picture. Regardless if your divorce is contested or uncontested, the process can be managed and you will come out of it okay. I take the time to evaluate each step of your life, your finances, your children, your goals and I work tirelessly to make sure that your divorce matter is handled with care.
Do not stress. Having independence can be a positive thing for you and for your children. I had many clients tell me after their divorce is over (which can be stressful throughout) that once the dust settled, they now live a much happier life and they have taken control of it.
- Neveen Kurtom, Esq.
It’s difficult to make the decision of who your divorce attorney will be when there are so many to choose from. However, finding the right divorce lawyer is key to what lead to a faster and more cost-effective divorce. When choosing your divorce lawyer, you should consider the following factors:
Goals: What are your goals? Divorce can be a long legal process that can be both financially and emotionally draining. Do you have marital property, custody issues, child support issues or all of the above? Your divorce attorney can help you identify your goals and explain the legal process required to get you through it.
Finances: Let’s face it, legal services are not cheap. A family law attorney will likely have an hourly rate and require a retainer to start your case. Hence, you should sit down with your lawyer and ask how much your case will end up costing. If it is a contested case, the costs will run high, and if it’s uncontested, you will save yourself a lot of money. An experienced attorney will help evaluate your case and LISTEN to you and find the best ways to resolve your case without unnecessary litigation.
Trust: Does your divorce lawyer listen to you, understand you, and is able to give you sound legal advice? Trust your instincts. We often meet with clients who are not happy with their first lawyer and want to change attorneys. Make sure you make the best of your initial consultation and ask your lawyer all the questions that you have to ensure you’re making the best decision when selecting your divorce lawyer. Remember, each case is unique and different from others so do your due diligence!
Trial Experience: You want an attorney who will negotiate on your behalf, but if negotiations fail, you want to trust that your lawyer is confident in court and will fight for you! While many cases settle, some parties are not able to and you will have to attend a series of hearings and you want to make sure that your lawyer will fight for you.
At Kurtom Law, we have handled hundreds of cases and we can guide you on your divorce matter each step of the way. Contact us at (443) 741-2567.