Restraining Orders

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

• order the abuser to not commit acts of domestic violence and abuse against you;
• order the abuser to not contact you or anyone else specified in the order, including contact that is made face-to-face, by telephone, in writing, electronic, through a third party, etc.;
• order the abuser to stay up to 500 feet away from you or anyone else specified in the order;
• order the abuser to not come within a certain distance of a specific home, 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
• order any other protections necessary to eliminate future domestic violence.¹

A domestic violence order (DVO) can include:

• everything that an EPO can order, listed above; and
• one or both of the following terms:
  • give you temporary child support; and
  • order that either or both of you receive counseling services available in the community.²

Note: After a final DVO is issued, it’s possible to file a motion to amend it to request that the abuser wear a GPS device. The judge can grant your request if the abuser has committed a serious violation of a prior 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)