Restraining Orders

Whatever you’re going through, we’re here to help you get through it.

Lawyers for Restraining Order in California

At Next Legal, our team of restraining order attorneys understand the sensitivity and volatile nature of situations that involve domestic violence. California’s legal framework provides individuals with robust support to ensure their safety and protection.

We offer strategic advocacy and are prepared to stand with you every step of the way, making sure your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed. Whether it's evaluating your circumstances, representing you in court or determining the right type of restraining order, you can count on us for reliable legal counsel.

Here’s what you can expect from our restraining order lawyers:

  • Personalized assessment

  • Quick filing of temporary restraining orders

  • Documentary and evidence support

  • Advocacy for child and family protection

  • Empathy-driven counsel and compassionate approach

  • Robust court representation

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Our Family Law Services

Next Legal’s top-rated family law attorneys combine legal expertise, local knowledge of specific court procedures and judicial nuances with a steadfast commitment to resolution-focused strategies. 

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What Is a Restraining Order?

In California, individuals in a registered domestic partnership, such as parents, former spouses, or cohabitants, can file a restraining order in a civil court to protect themselves against domestic violence. This restricts another person from communicating and being in close physical proximity and prevents harmful personal conduct such as threatening, harassment, destroying property, and acts of physical assault.

Restraining orders are different from protective orders, such as emergency protective orders (EPOs) and criminal protective orders (CPOs), as they’re issued by law enforcement or criminal courts. Restraining orders and protective orders are often wrongly used interchangeably, and it's important to understand this distinction, as enforcement, timelines, and courts differ.

Next Legal’s team comprises some of the best restraining order lawyers in California, backed with decades of extensive courtroom experience and the legal expertise to match. To learn more about how we can help, get in touch with us today.

Restraining Orders We Handle

Our temporary restraining order attorneys specialize in Domestic Violence Restraining Order ("DVRO"). These are issued to prevent further domestic violence or abuse. A DVRO may be issued between parties who are spouses, divorced or separated from each other, dating or used to date each other, have a child together or live together as romantic partners. 

A DVRO may also protect the parties' children, grandparents and in-laws (with a current marriage). This can include no contact orders, firearm surrender, maintaining a specific distance, and being prohibited from entering a residence to ensure physical safety and security.

Next Legal’s restraining order attorneys have exceptional experience in winning restraining order hearings, which often means that these cases can be resolved early without the need for a trial.

Let us help protect you and your family. Book a consultation and receive empathy-driven, strategic legal counsel to safeguard your rights.

What our Clients are Saying

  • They made me feel like part of their family, safeguarded and supported at every step.

    I have complete faith in their guidance, and thanks to them, I have achieved remarkable victories. My children are now with me after enduring difficult times when I could only see them for a few hours per month, while their father, who was subjecting them to physical and emotional abuse, had custody.

    Erika Rendon

  • Definitely use this law firm!

    My attorney and her team helped me secure one half of a financial profit from a house sale that was legally mine. My separated husband refused to give me this money after leaving me and I needed it to protect myself and my child financially.

    Sabrina Hunter

What Evidence Is Needed for a Restraining Order?

"Domestic violence" or "abuse" means to intentionally or recklessly cause or attempt to cause bodily injury to you; or sexually assault you; or to place you or another person in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or to molest, attack, hit, stalk, threaten, batter, harass, telephone, or contact you; or to disturb your peace; or destroy your personal property. Abuse can be spoken, written, or physical. 

California courts require credible, documented evidence that demonstrates threat, harassment or harm to your personhood. This can include texts, emails, phone recordings, social media posts, photographic evidence, medical examination records, witness testimony, etc.

A lack of physical injury or harm is not a ground for dismissal, provided emotional distress and concerns about physical safety are well-documented and supported by conduct, abuse, or harassment. Our restraining order lawyers organize evidence and ensure proper documentation to secure protection effectively.

How to Apply for a Restraining Order

Next Legal’s restraining order lawyers will provide you with reliable support and professional guidance. In California, this process involves several steps, and when you partner with us, you benefit from a streamlined process that takes the stress out of court filings and ensures a speedy outcome.

From professionally written drafts and filing the DVRO ex parte to advocating for temporary restraining orders (TROs), our experienced restraining order attorneys will take care of every detail. We also coordinate with the local sheriff’s office to ensure the defendant is legally served and represent you in court at permanent hearings.

Call us today to receive strategic legal counsel for restraining orders.

Work With Us

The Next Legal team boasts of some of the best restraining order lawyers, combining legal expertise, local knowledge of specific court procedures and judicial nuances. We’re committed to a proactive approach and use our vast courtroom experience to ensure your case is handled with sensitivity, precision and urgent care.

Our local expertise with the California court system has helped us provide our clients with realistic advice based on how local courts interpret and enforce restraining orders. Experienced restraining order attorneys at Next Legal strive to obtain outcomes that emphasize client safety and long-term stability.

We understand how disruptive, overwhelming and scary such situations can be and offer a compassionate approach with expert-led advice to navigate this challenging phase. At Next Legal, we provide support at every step of this journey, assuring you of empathy-driven counsel, keeping your best interests in mind. 

Why Choose Next Legal for Restraining Orders

  • Led by Paul Donsbach, our restraining order attorneys have a proven track record of protecting clients from domestic violence threats and ensuring their safety. Our law firm has extensive experience in prosecuting and defending domestic violence cases in the family law courts.

    To successfully handle a domestic violence case, the attorney needs expertise in courtroom advocacy, evidentiary rules, investigative strategies and negotiating skills. The best restraining order lawyers combine this expertise and use a proactive, empathetic approach to help individuals move forward with dignity. 

    Transparency and clear communication play a vital role in attorney-client relationships. Our initial legal consultation is designed to offer you clarity, where we recommend the best possible pathway for your situation. You can expect discretion, legal expertise, consistent communication and compassionate support every step of the way.

    Based in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and Newport Beach, we’re here to support you through every challenge. Book a consultation today.

FAQs

  • Yes, you can file a DVRO at any time during a divorce. This will be handled within the same family law case as your divorce. This ensures consistency in court orders.

  • DVROs can impact spousal support eligibility and asset division, including child custody, where a spouse or partner against whom a DVRO is issued may face restrictions or limitations in visitation rights and impact joint physical custody arrangements.

  • Documented evidence that meets the definition of abuse under California law includes photographic proof of injuries, assault, and copies of threats made via online posts or messages. This should demonstrate that it has affected you mentally, emotionally or caused you to fear for your personal safety. 

  • Yes. Judges can issue move-out orders irrespective of whose name is on the lease or deed of the family home.

  • Under California law, violations of restraining orders are treated as felony or misdemeanour charges and can invite severe penalties, immediate arrest or jail time. This could also impact custody arrangements and spousal support eligibility.

Disclaimer and Legal Notice

Laws evolve constantly, and past results do not always guarantee future outcomes. The information we’ve shared does not constitute formal legal advice, and we highly recommend booking a legal consultation with one of our experienced restraining order lawyers.

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