North Carolina’s Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that victims of domestic violence in same-sex relationships can obtain 50B domestic violence restraining orders. The Supreme Court’s decision affirmed a 2020 ruling from the Court of Appeals which held that the State’s law allowing same-sex couples to seek domestic violence protective orders only if they’re married or divorced is unconstitutional. This means North Carolinians in abusive same-sex dating relationships can now pursue the protection of 50B restraining orders against their abusers.

The Charlotte Observer describes the case in more detail in its article, NC can’t bar same-sex couples from domestic violence protection, state’s top court says, and the Supreme Court’s opinion can be viewed in full here: M.E. v. T.J., 2022-NCSC-23.

If you need legal assistance with a domestic violence protective order (50B), Siemens Family Law Group can help. Request a consultation with family law attorney Katie Becker through our website, and we will be in touch to schedule an appointment to discuss your next steps.

Katie Becker is a family law attorney practicing in Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding area. Katie serves as co-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee’s Advancement and Engagement subcommittee. She is a strong advocate for her clients in and out of the courtroom and is currently accepting new cases, including those involving domestic violence restraining orders.

Request a consultation with Katie Becker through our website here: https://www.wnclaw.com/request-a-consultation.

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This article is intended for information purposes only and is not to be considered or substituted as legal advice. This article is based on North Carolina laws in effect at the time of posting.