A restraining order is a court order that helps protect people from abuse. Abuse can be spoken, written, or physical. You can ask for one if a person has abused you, and you have a close relationship with that person (married, divorced, separated, dating or used to date, live together or used to live together), or you are related (parent, child, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, in-law). The first (also called "temporary") order lasts until your next court date. At that time, the judge will decide to continue or cancel the order. The order could last for up to 5 years. Child custody orders have different end dates and usually last until the child turns 18.

A restraining order can order the restrained person to:

Not contact or go near you, your children, other relatives, or others who live with you
Not have a gun
Move out of your house
Follow child custody and visitation orders
Pay child support
Pay spousal or partner support