My Ex is Harassing Me. What Can I Do?

You can apply for a protective injunction if your current partner, ex-partner, or anyone else, is stalking you. But what does that mean? Well, a person is stalking you if they are repeatedly (at least 2 times) following or harassing you for no legitimate reason, and to such a degree that it is causing you substantial emotional distress.

But, just because a person is unpleasant or uncivil towards you does not mean you are entitled to an injunction. Mere irritation, annoyance, embarrassment, exasperation, aggravation, or frustration, without more, will not get you an injunction. Profanity, insults, or uttering falsehoods about you might be offensive, but it is not sufficient to get an injunction. What is needed is more extreme or outrageous conduct -- enough to cause a reasonable person substantial emotional distress.

In one recent Florida case, an ex-husband went to his ex-wife's home in the middle of the night and looked inside her darkened windows with a flashlight for 3 nights in a row. This was sufficient to issue a protective injunction. In another recent Florida case, an ex-partner constantly drove by the other partner's residence several times a day, and also operated a drone over the residence on at least 3 occasions. This was also sufficient to issue a protective injunction.

These are very fact-intensive issues, and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. It is always a good idea to seek out the advice of an attorney who practices this area of law to learn what your rights are -- for both you and your children!