Marriage of Walker CA6

I. Background

Ralph and Elena married in 1993 and have two minor sons. In September 2007, Ralph punched Elena several times and caused a large bruise to her arm. On another occasion, Ralph put his arms around the neck of the older son, lifted him off the ground, and choked him. Ralph and Elena separated in January 2008, and Elena filed for a dissolution in February 2008. She also sought a temporary DVRO against Ralph that protected both her and their two sons. Elena declared that Ralph suffered from mental health disorders and had “anger management issues.” She recounted how Ralph had repeatedly threatened her and verbally abused her and their sons. In February 2008, Ralph threw a piece of wood at Elena’s car as she was driving away with their older son in the car. The piece of wood struck the windshield, which terrified their son. The temporary DVRO was granted. After Elena obtained the temporary DVRO, Ralph repeatedly violated it. He “showed up” at their younger son’s baseball games, and he sent letters to Elena and to the children. The temporary DVRO remained in place until November 2008, when the court granted Elena’s request for a three-year DVRO. This DVRO permitted Ralph…