Sometimes the truly abused spouse just wants out of the marriage and does not understand that the presentation of a written marital settlement agreement, even with all the terms that spouse may want, may precipitate other violence and death. The lawyer may have to encourage the client to seek protection in different forms, including seeking an ex parte relief from the court, filing a petition for injunction for protection against domestic violence, and completing the process of obtaining permanent injunctive relief.

“I want nothing. Just get this over as fast as you can.” This can mean a number of scenarios, some of which are extremely dangerous for the abused spouse and even the children.

Domestic violence indicator. A person who is an abused spouse may present in this fashion, afraid to ask for anything, and just wanting to get away. The danger of ignoring this position is giving an extremely favorable written agreement to the persons’ spouse and finding the person is later in the hospital or dead thereafter. This person should be sent for a “lethality assessment” to an individual psychologist or to the local domestic violence agency. The assessment alone takes only 15 minutes but