A Tennessee order of protection could save your life. This court order could be what stands between you and an abuser, stalker, or violent individual. It could be the mechanism that prevents serious injury or assault and in many instances the catalyst for keeping your children and other loved ones safe. In short, if you feel threatened or unsafe around another human being, you should consider a Tennessee order of protection.

However, there is a big difference between knowing you need an order of protection and knowing the steps to get one. This is where a Nashville order of protection lawyer can help. You can also start with these four steps, which will make it far more efficient to finalize a much-needed Tennessee order of protection.

#1: Take Notes on Encounters & Incidents

A Tennessee court must issue a Tennessee order of protection. To issue the order of protection in Nashville, Clarksville, or Murfreesboro, the court must have evidence that an order of protection is needed. You are the primary source of this evidence and the more information and facts you can provide to the court, the better.

Therefore, one of the most important things you can do when seeking a Tennessee order of protection is documentation of the events. Your notes, memories, and recall of when encounters with the other individual occurred and what happened are imperative, and their value can’t be overstated. Over time your memory of these incidents will fade or skew, so you should write things down immediately.

#2: Take Pictures & Collect Physical Evidence

In many cases, there is other evidence of a violent encounter, stalking, or assault. If you were hurt or abused, you should thoughtfully and thoroughly document your injuries. This includes taking photographs of any bruises, cuts, or other physical signs of harm. Other evidence may include photographs of the location where an assault or incident took place, evidence of a weapon used, text messages, phone records, and social media posts.

Any evidence that can corroborate your story will be helpful to a Nashville order of protection lawyer and influential to a judge.

#3: Seek Medical Attention as Needed

If you are injured because of an assault or encounter with a violent individual, you want as much documentation of your injuries as possible. One of the best ways to confirm your story and prove the events took place is a medical report. To obtain a medical report, you need to see a doctor or receive emergency medical treatment.

Therefore, if someone hurts you, it is appropriate to go to the hospital or seek medical attention. Ultimately, the opinion or notes from a doctor could be the most powerful evidence before a judge because it is unbiased and based on extensive prior experience. As well, speaking with a medical professional is an opportunity to recount the events that led to your injuries or illness. This is a confidential environment, unless you approve the doctor’s notices and medical record for the court’s review and investigation, and documents the legitimacy of the events.

#4: Have a Tennessee Lawyer Explain the Court Documents

You are not a bystander in your court case for a Tennessee order of protection, but rather a direct participant. This means you should understand the proceedings and process for obtaining the order of protection and why each step is necessary. To begin, you should have a complete understanding of the seven-pages of paperwork that must be filed for an order of protection.

You or a Nashville order of protection lawyer must complete all seven pages of information and file those pages with the court to apply for an order of protection. If you understand the requests and requirements of this document, you are likely to provide more complete and persuasive responses. That makes the judge’s decision much easier when reviewing the filing.

Hiring a Nashville Order of Protection Lawyer

In Tennessee, there is cost-effective legal assistance and representation available for filing an order of protection. If you are uncertain about the process or paperwork required for obtaining a Tennessee order of protection, this legal advice could make all the difference. At Suber, Asher, Suber & Moushon, PLLC, we strive to provide the very best order of protection advice. To speak with one of our experienced lawyers, simply call (615) 997-1908.