Gomez

BACKGROUND

Eva and Charles “used to be married or registered domestic partners” and had a son together. On July 30, 2024, Eva, in pro per, filed a Request for DVRO (Request) against Charles, seeking to protect herself and her two children, including her son with Charles.2 In the Request, Eva alleged that Charles verbally abused her on many occasions and took “things from [her]

1 Because the parties share the same last name, we refer to them by

their first names. No disrespect is intended. 2 As a pro per, Eva filed a similar request for DVRO against Charles

over three years earlier.

1 back porch . . . .” She also alleged two incidents where Charles became angry and aggressive and “intimidated” Eva when he picked up their son. Eva also sought sole legal and physical custody over their son and an order preventing Charles from abducting him. On August 20, 2024, the trial court held a hearing on the Request. Eva and Charles, who both appeared in pro per, were sworn in and testified. They were the only two testifying witnesses. And the only documentary evidence admitted into evidence was a screen shot of a short text message conversation between Eva and Charles. After hearing the…