​Wheaton Order of Protection Attorneys

Assisting Individuals with Obtaining Orders of Protection in DuPage County and Throughout Illinois

​Orders of protection are provided by the Illinois Domestic Violence Act to protect victims from abuse where they have experienced harassment, physical abuse, intimidation of a dependent, interference with personal liberty or deprivation. Under the Act, the definition of abuse is interchangeable with that of domestic violence. If you are the victim of abuse, contact Beck & Houlihan, P.C. immediately at 630-933-9220. Our attorneys can help you file for an order of protection and ensure your safety as you plan your next step.

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​Obtaining an Order of Protection

The law defines potential victims covered by orders of protection as:

• High-risk adults with disabilities that are abused, neglected, or exploited by a family or household member (including elderly adults);
• Any minor child or dependent adult under care;
• Any person residing or employed at a private home or public shelter that is housing an abused family or household member; or
• Anyone abused by a family or household member.

Family or household members may include:

• Spouses or former spouses;
• Parents, children, stepchildren and other persons related by blood or by present or prior marriage;
• Those who share or formerly shared a common dwelling;
• Those who have a child in common;
• Those who share a blood relationship through a child;
• Those who have or have had a dating or engagement relationship; and
• Those with disabilities and their personal assistants or caregivers.

A petition for an order of protection may be filed by the person who has been abused, someone who is acting on behalf of a minor child, or someone who has been abused and, due to a disability or age/health impairment, they cannot file it themselves. An order of protection is typically issued by a judge in the form of an emergency order but can also be an interim or plenary order.

​Overlap With Other Proceedings

A petition for an order of protection can be filed under the same case number as another civil proceeding involving the same parties, including but not limited to any proceeding for:

• Divorce;
• Paternity/parentage;
• Nonsupport (i.e., child support or spousal support); and/or
• Child custody or visitation.

Remedies

If the court finds that the petitioner has been abused, remedies can include:

• Prohibition of the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the petitioner;
• Prohibition of stalking of the petitioner;
• Exclusive possession of residence and personal property, including a prohibition on entering;
• Protection of animals, granting the petitioner exclusive custody of any animal co-owned or cared for;
• Required counseling for the respondent;
• Petitioner being granted temporary child custody, if applicable;
• Ordering the respondent to appear in court;
• Ordering a payment for losses and payment of shelter services;
• Prohibition of access to records; and
• Ordering injunctive relief (that which is necessary to prevent further abuse, neglect, or exploitation).

​Assistance from an Experienced Attorney

​Dealing with domestic violence issues, as well as ensuring your safety and the safety of your loved ones, can be a complicated and confusing process. It is important that, if you need an order of protection, you have an experienced attorney file for one in civil court for you. If you are also seeking a divorce or child custody as a result of abuse, your attorney will also need to be well-versed in other areas of family law in order to adequately protect your rights and represent you.

The skilled Wheaton family law attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C. practice in all areas of family law including divorce, guardianships, child custody, adoption, child support, and more. We are prepared to obtain an order of protection for you and any of your loved ones if you need it. Contact our office at 630-933-9220.

Practice Areas​

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• Divorce​
• Family Law
  • Adoption
  • Civil Unions
  • Parentage / Paternity
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
  • Orders of Protection
  • Grandparent Visitation
• Mediation / Pre-Decree and Post-Decree
• Criminal Defense
• Traffic Violations
• Juvenile Law
• Bankruptcy​​​​

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