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Legal Information: Puerto Rico

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 25, 2023

What protections can a child get in an order of protection for the welfare and protection of children?

In an order of protection, a judge can do one or more of the following:

  • grant temporary custody of the mistreated child to the person who filed the petition, to the Department of Family Services or to the closest family member who can guarantee the best welfare and security of the child;
  • order the abuser to move out of the home if s/he is living in the same house as the child;
  • if the abuser is ordered to move out of the home, the judge can also order the abuser to pay the rent or mortgage of that home or to pay child support if s/he has a legal obligation to do so;
  • order the abuser to stop harassing, stalking, intimidating or threatening the child, or to stop interfering with the temporary custody granted to the petitioner or to a close family member;
  • order the abuser to stay away from the child or from any place where the child is;
  • order the abuser to attend a program or treatment to control his/her abusive or negligent behavior;
  • order the abuser to pay for any treatment or any program the child may need as a result of the abuse; and
  • order anything else that the judge believes is necessary.1

1 8 L.P.R.A § 1183