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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Domestic violence in Parchim is addressed under German federal law and enforced locally by the police, prosecutors, and the family court at the local district court. Domestic violence covers physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse between spouses, partners, ex-partners, family members, or people living in the same household. It also includes stalking and coercion. Victims and people accused both have rights and obligations under civil and criminal procedures.
Germany uses a two-track system. The criminal law track investigates and prosecutes offences such as bodily harm, threats, coercion, stalking, sexual assault, rape, and deprivation of liberty. The civil law track offers rapid protection through court orders that can require an alleged aggressor to leave the home, ban contact, and stay away from certain places. These protections apply regardless of marital status or national origin.
In urgent situations, the police in Parchim can remove an aggressor from the home for a limited period for danger prevention. The family court can then issue longer protection orders. Children are given particular protection, and the youth welfare office can be involved if their wellbeing is at risk.
A lawyer helps you understand your options, protect your rights, and avoid mistakes that can affect safety, children, immigration status, or finances. Common situations where legal help is important include seeking a protection order under the Protection Against Violence Act, accompanying a criminal complaint, negotiating child custody and contact, arranging temporary use of the shared home, filing for divorce or separation with safety conditions, defending against allegations, and claiming compensation for injuries and trauma.
Legal counsel is especially valuable for urgent applications to the family court, communication with police and prosecutors, gathering and preserving evidence, coordinating with shelters and counselling services, applying for legal aid, and ensuring that court orders are enforceable and tailored to your needs. If you are a foreign national, a lawyer can also advise on residence rights where domestic violence is a factor.
Protection Against Violence Act - This federal law allows the family court in Parchim to issue immediate protection orders. Measures can include no-contact and stay-away orders, prohibition from entering the shared home, and allocation of the home to the victim. Orders are often granted quickly based on a sworn statement and evidence. Violating a protection order can be a criminal offence.
Criminal Code - Relevant offences include bodily harm, threats, coercion, stalking, sexual assault and rape, unlawful restraint, insult, and property damage. The police document evidence, secure the scene, and inform the public prosecutor, who decides on charges. Victims may join the proceedings as a private accessory prosecutor and can receive a court-appointed victim lawyer in serious cases.
Police powers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - Local police can remove an aggressor from the home and impose a short-term return ban to prevent further harm. This is a danger prevention measure and is separate from criminal charges and civil protection orders. The police can also seize weapons and notify the youth welfare office if children are affected.
Family and child protection law - The family court can regulate custody and contact to protect children if there is a risk to their wellbeing. Supervised contact or temporary suspension of contact can be ordered. The youth welfare office in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district participates where necessary.
Victim compensation and support - Victims may receive benefits under the social compensation law in Germany for health consequences of violent crimes. Counselling, psychosocial trial support, and trauma-informed services are available through regional providers. White Ring offers nationwide victim support.
Legal aid - Beratungshilfe can cover initial out-of-court legal advice for people with low income. Prozesskostenhilfe can cover court proceedings where there are reasonable prospects of success. A local lawyer can help you apply and assemble documents.
Immigration aspects - Victims on a spouse-dependent residence permit may qualify for an independent residence permit earlier in hardship situations that include domestic violence. Seek individual advice quickly because timelines and documentation are important.
Domestic violence covers any physical, psychological, sexual, or economic abuse in close relationships, including threats, stalking, and coercion. It applies to spouses, registered partners, people who live together, ex-partners, and family members.
Call the police if you are in danger. The police can remove the aggressor from the home for a short period, document injuries, and start criminal proceedings. As soon as possible, apply to the family court for a protection order under the Protection Against Violence Act. A lawyer or a local counselling service can help you file an urgent application.
In urgent cases the court can issue an interim order quickly based on your sworn statement and supporting evidence. Depending on the situation and court workload, this can be the same or the next working day. A full hearing follows where both sides can be heard.
No. The court can order the aggressor to leave and stay away. The Protection Against Violence Act allows the allocation of the shared home to the victim for a defined period, even if the aggressor is the main tenant or owner, if this is necessary to protect you.
Save medical reports, photos of injuries and damage, threatening messages, call logs, and names of witnesses. Ask your doctor to document injuries and note your account of what happened. Police reports are valuable. Keep a chronological incident diary with dates, times, and details.
Violations can lead to police intervention, fines, and criminal charges. Call the police immediately. Keep records of each violation and notify your lawyer so the court can respond, for example by increasing penalties or extending the order.
Do not contact the accuser if a no-contact rule may be in place. Exercise your right to remain silent with police until you have legal advice. Hire a defense lawyer quickly, collect your own evidence, and obey any interim orders. Violations will harm your case.
The family court prioritizes child safety. If there is risk, the court can restrict or supervise contact, or suspend it temporarily. The youth welfare office can be involved. The court may require safe handover arrangements and protective conditions.
If you have low income, you can apply for Beratungshilfe for out-of-court advice and Prozesskostenhilfe or Verfahrenskostenhilfe for court proceedings. You will need income documents and a brief description of your case. Ask your lawyer for help with the forms.
Yes. Protection orders and criminal law apply regardless of nationality or residence status. If your residence depends on your spouse or partner, consult a lawyer urgently, as domestic violence can support an independent residence permit in hardship cases.
Police emergency - 110. Call in any immediate danger. The police in Parchim can intervene, remove an aggressor, and document evidence.
Medical emergency - 112. Seek medical care to treat injuries and obtain documentation.
Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen - 08000 116 016. Nationwide confidential counselling in many languages for women affected by violence.
Hilfetelefon Gewalt an Männern - 0800 123 99 00. Confidential counselling for men affected by violence.
Weißer Ring Opfer-Telefon - 116 006. Nationwide victim support, counselling, and assistance navigating authorities.
Frauenhäuser and safe accommodation in Ludwigslust-Parchim and nearby Schwerin - Shelters offer confidential refuge and practical help. Staff can support court applications and safety planning.
Intervention and counselling services in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - Specialized teams assist with risk assessment, safety planning, and coordination with police and courts.
Jugendamt Landkreis Ludwigslust-Parchim - Youth welfare office that supports families and protects children where domestic violence is present.
Amtsgericht Parchim - Family court for protection orders, custody, and home allocation applications. Court staff can inform you about filing procedures and office hours.
Psychosoziale Prozessbegleitung - Free professional support for vulnerable victims throughout criminal proceedings where eligible.
Prioritise safety. If you are in danger, leave the situation if possible and call 110. Consider a safety plan that includes a packed bag, spare keys, essential documents, and safe contacts.
Get medical care. Have injuries examined and documented, even if you do not plan to press charges immediately.
Preserve evidence. Save messages, photos, and witness details. Do not delete anything. Make backup copies.
Consult a local lawyer in Parchim. Ask about a protection order, criminal complaint options, child protection measures, and temporary use of the home. Request help with legal aid applications if needed.
Apply for a protection order quickly. Urgent applications can be filed to the family court with a sworn statement and evidence. Your lawyer or a counselling service can assist with forms and submission.
Coordinate with support services. Contact a shelter or counselling centre for safety planning, housing, and practical support. Consider psychosocial trial support if a criminal case proceeds.
Plan for children. Inform the youth welfare office if necessary and discuss safe handover and contact arrangements. Document any incidents affecting children.
Follow up and update orders. If the situation changes or orders are violated, inform your lawyer and the police. Orders can be extended or modified to fit new circumstances.
Note - This guide is general information, not individualized legal advice. For case-specific guidance, speak to a qualified lawyer familiar with domestic violence cases in Parchim.
