Are you going through a divorce? If so, this could be a stressful and tumultuous time. Even when divorce is the right option, it can still be difficult and emotionally draining. The divorce could be raising worrisome emotions and behaviors with your former spouse. Perhaps they're lashing out or blaming you for problems. They may even make threats against you or your children. This may be a challenging time, but you have options available. You can work with a family law attorney to obtain a protection order for you and your children. Below are a few signs a protection order may be necessary.

Your spouse has been abusive.

Abuse is the most common and obvious reason for a protection order. If your spouse has physically abused you or the children or has threatened abuse, you should file for a protection order immediately. You will need to provide some form of evidence. A police or hospital report detailing the abuse is often sufficient. If you have voice mails or text screenshots showing threats, those can also be effective. Keep in mind that the abuse doesn't have to be physical. Communications that degrade you, attempt to control or manipulate you, or threaten you can be deemed as psychological abuse. You don't have to wait for physical abuse to occur to obtain a protection order.

Your spouse is financially abusing you.

The financial aspect of divorce is often the most difficult. You may have to wait until the divorce is final before you can fully separate your financial life from your spouse's. In the meantime, they could be draining your accounts and running up your credit cards. A protection order can get them off your accounts even if the divorce isn't final. Once the judge issues the protection order, you can present the order to banks, lenders, and credit card companies to separate your accounts from your spouse. Again, you need to provide evidence that they are financially abusing you and depleting assets.

They are stalking you.

Sometimes a spouse has a hard time moving on during estrangement or divorce. They may want to keep tabs on your activities and see if you're spending time with someone else. You may notice your spouse following you or showing up at random places at the same time as you. This can be harassment and can be justification for a protection order. Again, you will need proof. Document all the times your spouse has followed you. Have your car inspected for air tags or other GPS devices. Change all the passwords on your social media apps and email. This will show that you have done everything you can to separate from your spouse but they still keep following you.

Contact a family law attorney for more information.