RESTRAINING ORDER QUESTIONS

I HOPE SOMEONE OUT THERE HAS AN AN ANSWER TO MY NUMEROUS QUESTIONS. I HAVE LIVED WITH MY BOYFRIEND FOR 2 YEARS NOW. WE HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD SON TOGETHER.I WANT TO LEAVE HIM BECAUSE HE CONTROLS MY EVERY MOVE . NOT ALOUD TO HAVE FRIENDS, TO GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT HIM AND I'M NOT ALLOWED TO SPEND ANY OF THE MONEY THAT I HAVE MADE WORKING FULL-TIME(HE FORGES MY SIGNATURE ON MY PERSONAL CHECKING ACCOUNT TO PAY BILLS EVEN THOUGH HE MAKES TWICE WHAT I DO AND HE COULD EASILY PAY THE BILLS.HE'S AN AWFUL FATHER. HE TELLS ME HE'LL SPEND TIME WITH OUR SON WHEN HE GETS OLDER AND CAN PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S TOO MUCH OF A BOTHER FOR HIM.I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO GO TO FLORIDA TO LIVE WITH MY FAMILY (WE LIVE IN WEST VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW) AND HE BECAME VIOLENT AND TRIED TO TAKE OUR SON . I CALLED THE POLICE AND NOW THERE'S A RESTRAINING ORDER ON HIM. THE HEARING TO MAKE IT PERMENENT IS TOMORROW. HE HAS FILED PAPERS WITH A LAWYER SAYING HE WANTS JOINT CUSTODY.I WANT TO LEAVE FOR FLORIDA AS SOON AS THE HEARING IS OVER. WHAT RIGHTS DO I HAVE TO LEAVE WITH MY SON? WILL IT BE CONSIDERED KIDNAPPING EVEN THOUGH HE HAS A RESTRAINING ORDER ON HIM?

[Edited by Bethany on 01-02-2001 at 02:14 PM]

Domestic Violence

I am not a lawyer, but there are abuse centers that will work with you and provide you with counseling as well as legal counsel. I also suggest you take one of their advocates with you to court for support.