Restraining Orders

A temporary ex parte order or an order issued after a hearing can order the abuser:

1. not to abuse, harass, intimidate, molest, attack, strike, stalk, threaten, sexually assault, batter, isolate, or call the elder or dependent adult; this includes annoying phone calls;
2. not to destroy the elder or dependent adult’s personal property or disturb their peace;
3. not to contact the elder or dependent adult in any way, including in person, by mail, or through other people;
4. to stay a certain distance away from the elder or dependent adult;
5. to stay away from the elder or dependent adult’s pet or animal and not to do anything to harm or get rid of it; this includes not taking, hiding, threatening, or hurting it, or giving it away; and
6. to move out of the elder or dependent adult’s home if certain legal requirements are met.¹

In an order issued after a hearing, the judge can also order the abuser to attend counseling or anger management classes with a licensed mental health professional.²

Note: The protections in numbers 1-4, above, can also protect the elder or dependent adult’s family members, people who live with them, or their conservator if the judge believes there is a good reason (“good cause”) to include them.³

¹ Cal. Wel. & Inst. Code § 15657.03(b)(5)(A)-(B), (d)
² Cal. Wel. & Inst. Code § 15657.03(z)(2)(aa)
³ Cal. Wel. & Inst. Code § 15657.03(b)(5)(A)