Restraining Orders

An emergency protective order (EPO) and a can do the following:

• order the abuser to not commit acts of domestic violence and abuse against you;
• order the abuser to have no contact with you or with anyone else specified in the order (including face-to-face, telephone, written, electronic, through a third party, etc.);
• order the abuser to stay away from you or anyone else specified in the order (for a distance of up to 500 feet)
• order the abuser to not come within a certain distance of any specified residence, school, or place of employment;
• order the abuser to not sell or destroy any of your property or any property you share with him/her;
• order the abuser to leave the home you share;
• give you temporary custody of your children; and/or
• provide you with any other protection necessary to eliminate future domestic violence.¹

A domestic violence order (DVO) can do the following:

• order everything that an EPO can order - listed above; and, additionally:
  • award you temporary child support; and/or
  • order that either or both of you receive counseling services available in the community.²

Note: A DVO can be amended (after you file a request and the judge holds a hearing) to require the abuser to wear a GPS device if the abuser has committed a substantial (serious) violation of a domestic violence order and if the judge believes that the GPS device would increase your safety.³

¹ KRS §§ 403.730(2)(a)(1); 403.740(1); see also the petition on the Kentucky Courts website
² KRS § 403.740(1)
³ KRS § 403.761(1)