Family law
Restraining order
Also called injunction for protection or protective order
A court order that can require a person to stay away from and not contact someone, and sometimes to move out or stay away from children or other family members.[1]
In more detail
California has several types, including domestic violence, civil harassment and elder abuse restraining orders.[1] Florida calls the domestic violence version an injunction for protection, which a victim, or someone in imminent danger of becoming one, can ask the circuit court for.[2]
Varies by state
Names, types and procedures differ by state. Find your state’s rules.
Related terms
- Domestic violenceAbuse by a family or household member.
- InjunctionA court order that stops one or more parties from taking some action.
- Domestic violence screening in mediationThe safeguards courts and mediators use when there has been domestic violence between the parties, from screening questions before mediation to safety measures, or not mediating at all.
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Sources
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MediationList. (2026, October 28). Restraining order: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/restraining-order/
APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.