What Can I Do If My Ex Is Stalking Me in Illinois?

 Posted on June 20, 2024 in Order of Protection

Divorce is known for being a difficult process that breeds unpleasant emotions. Some spouses who go through divorce do so amicably, but with others, it turns into a hostile feud. The process brings out the ugly side in some people, leading them to do things that they previously might never have imagined doing.

Stalking, for example, is something that sometimes happens during or after a divorce. People who get divorced are more likely to be stalked by a former spouse than by others. Stalking is often driven by feelings of jealousy, where a spouse has trouble letting go of his or her partner and accepting that the relationship is over.

Stalking is illegal and is known to cause severe anxiety, fear, and distress in victims. If you are being stalked, an Illinois family law attorney may be able to help you obtain an Order of Protection.

What Is Stalking?

Stalking is more a behavior than a single act. It is when someone repeatedly makes unwanted intrusions into your personal life. Illinois law defines stalking as behavior that is directed at a specific person with the knowledge that it will likely cause the victim to fear for his or her safety. 

Today, technology allows stalking to take place online, but it also still occurs in person. Examples of stalking include:

• Tracking a person’s movements, either electronically or in person

• Conducting surveillance of a victim or his or her family members

• Showing up at the victim’s residence or work

• Making unwanted phone calls

• Sending unwanted messages on social media

• Leaving unwanted “gifts” for the victim

• Vandalizing the victim’s property

• Injuring the victim’s pet

What Can I Do If I Am Being Stalked?

There are legal measures you can take if you are being stalked. One of them is to ask a court to issue an Order of Protection. In the order, a judge can:

• Order the stalker to cease his or her activities immediately

• Forbid the stalker to enter certain locations

• Forbid the stalker to contact you

• Forbid the stalker to contact your family members

• Forbid the stalker from owning a firearm

• Order other injunctions as necessary

An Order of Protection is legally binding. If your ex violates it, he or she will have committed a criminal act and may face jail time.

Contact a Schaumburg, IL Order of Protection Lawyer

Stalking does not always end in violence, but sometimes it does. Even when it does not, it often causes people to fear for their safety and the safety of their children. It can also lead to trauma and feelings of anxiety that can affect a person’s quality of life. If you feel you are being stalked, contact a Schaumburg, IL order of protection attorney.

At A. Traub & Associates, your safety is our top priority. We have helped many clients obtain orders of protection for themselves and their families. Let our highly experienced attorneys help you live safely and worry-free. Call A. Traub & Associates to start protecting yourself today.