What to Do If Your Future Ex Spouse is “Stalking” You During Your Divorce

When you are going through a divorce, the last thing you need is your future ex-spouse stalking you. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence and can add stress and even more discomfort to the divorce process. If you believe your future ex-spouse is stalking you during your divorce, read on.

What is Stalking?

A pattern of behavior that makes you feel nervous, scared, harassed, or in danger is defined as stalking. Your future ex-spouse may be stalking you if they are:

• Always calling, texting, and emailing you even when you ask them not to
• Constantly driving by your home
• Running into you in public on a regular basis
• Using social media to follow and friend your social media followers and friends in order to keep an eye on you
• Spreading rumors or publishing personal information about you on social media
• Giving you gifts on birthdays and holidays when you do not want them
• Refusing to leave you alone when you ask them to

Steps to Take If You Believe You Are a Victim of Stalking

If you believe that your future ex-spouse is stalking you, you should know that you may be in serious danger, especially if you do not respond in the way your future ex-spouse expects. You should avoid downplaying the issue as it can get worse.  

As soon as you notice any signs of stalking or any type of domestic violence, it is in your best interest to speak to family law attorney. An attorney may help you obtain an order of protection so that you can protect yourself and move forward with your divorce.

How Do Orders of Protection Work in Illinois

Orders of protection are intended to stop any type of domestic violence or abuse. In addition to stalking, intimidation, harassment, exploitation, willful deprivation, physical harm, and interference with personal autonomy are all examples of domestic violence or abuse. 

Depending on your particular circumstances, an order of protection can provide you relief from your future ex-spouse’s stalking by:

• Prohibiting them from contacting you via phone, text, email, social media, or in person
• Banning them from entering your home
• Awarding you temporary custody of your minor children
• Ordering them to attend counseling classes
• Ordering them to pay for any losses that their stalking has caused you
• Ordering them to give up their right to own firearms

Contact Our Order of Protection Attorneys

If you believe you are a victim of stalking, you should reach to our order of protection attorneys right away. We can help put an end to the fear and discomfort you are experiencing and ensure your rights are protected. For a free consultation, call our DuPage County order of protection attorneys today at 630-932-9100.

Sources:

http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/women/victims.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-equation/201611/3-tips-stay-safe-when-ex-becomes-stalker