Restraining Orders

You can get a protective order for yourself and your minor child against a “cohabitant” who commits domestic violence or abuse against you or when the judge believes there is a “substantial likelihood” of abuse or domestic violence.¹ 

A cohabitant is defined as someone who is at least 16 years old and is:

• your current or former spouse;
• someone who is or was living with you as if they were a spouse;
• a person related to you by blood or marriage, including:
  • a parent;
  • a child;
  • a sibling;
  • any other person related by blood (consanguinity) to the second degree, which includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews; and
  • any other person related by marriage (affinity) to the second degree, which includes in-law and step relatives;
• someone with whom you are or were in a consensual sexual relationship;
• a person with whom you have a child in common or are expecting a child, if one of you is pregnant; or
• a person with whom you live or have lived in the same home.²

A “cohabitant” does not include:

• the relationship of natural parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent to a minor child; or
• the relationship between natural, adoptive, step, or foster siblings who are under 18 years of age.³

If you do not meet these requirements, there may be another type of order that applies to your situation. See I did not get a protective order. What can I do? for more information.

¹ Utah Code​ § 78B-7-602(1)
² Utah Code § 78B-7-102(7)(a)
³ Utah Code § 78B-7-102(7)(b)