How to Get a Protective Order in Kentucky
Guidance for Kentucky survivors on seeking a protective order after domestic violence.
Understanding Protective Orders in Kentucky
What a Protective Order Is in Kentucky
A protective order in Kentucky is a court order that can place rules and limits on a person who has been violent, threatening, or abusive. It is sometimes called a “domestic violence order” or “interpersonal protective order,” depending on the relationship.
The order is meant to increase safety, create space, and set legal boundaries. It is a piece of a safety plan, not a guarantee of safety.
Procedures and forms in Kentucky can change. It is important to check current information with a local court, legal aid office, or advocacy organization before relying on any summary.
Who May Qualify Based on Relationship
In Kentucky, eligibility for different types of protective orders is based on your relationship with the person who harmed or threatened you. In general, people may be able to ask for a protective order if the other person is:
- A current or former spouse
- A current or former dating partner
- Someone you live with or used to live with
- A close family member (for example, a parent, child, or certain other relatives)
- The other parent of your child
Some people who are being stalked or sexually assaulted by someone they do not know well, or have never dated, may also be able to ask for protection, often through a different type of protective order.
Exact eligibility rules are set by Kentucky law and can be specific. A local legal aid office, domestic violence program, or court clerk can explain who may qualify in your situation.
Where to Go for Forms and Help
There are several places in Kentucky where someone can get information and forms to request a protective order:
- County courthouses or district courts – Court clerks usually have protective order forms and basic instructions. They can explain the process but cannot give legal advice.
- Domestic violence or victim service programs – Advocates can often help with safety planning, filling out forms, and preparing for court. Some may go with you to hearings if it is safe and available in your area.
- Legal aid organizations – Some Kentucky legal aid offices offer free or low-cost help with protective orders, especially for people with low income.
- Police or law enforcement – In urgent situations, police may help connect you with emergency protective order procedures after hours in some counties.
National and regional directories, including resources listed at https://www.dv.support, can help you locate Kentucky-based services that understand local court practices.
How the Protective Order Process Usually Works
Details can vary by county and over time, but many Kentucky cases involve these general stages:
1. Applying for a Temporary Protective Order
You usually start by filling out forms at the courthouse or online if that option is available. You may be asked to describe what has happened and why you are afraid or need protection.
A judge may review your request the same day or soon after. You may or may not need to speak briefly to the judge. If the judge believes there is an immediate safety concern, the judge may issue a short-term order, sometimes called an emergency or temporary order.
Temporary orders are generally made without the other person present, based only on your request and any information the judge has at that time.
2. Serving the Other Person
For a full hearing to move forward, the person you are seeking protection from usually must receive official notice of the case and any temporary order. This is called “service.”
- Service is usually done by law enforcement or another authorized person, not by you.
- The papers normally include the temporary order (if granted) and the date, time, and location of the court hearing.
- If the person cannot be found or is not served, the hearing may be delayed or rescheduled.
3. The Court Hearing for a Longer-Term Order
At the hearing, both you and the other person have a chance to speak to the judge, present evidence, and bring witnesses, if any. You can ask for specific protections you need, and the other person can respond or object.
After listening to both sides, the judge decides whether to issue a longer-term protective order and what conditions to include.
Many people feel nervous about court. An advocate or legal aid lawyer, where available, can explain what to expect and help you think through safety around the hearing date and afterwards.
Types of Protections a Kentucky Order May Include
The exact terms of a Kentucky protective order depend on your situation and the judge’s decision. Common protections can include:
- Stay-away orders – Requiring the other person to stay a certain distance away from you, your home, workplace, school, or other places you often go.
- No-contact orders – Prohibiting phone calls, texts, emails, messages through others, or contact on social media. Some orders may allow limited contact only about children or other specific issues.
- Move-out or exclusive possession orders – In some situations, the judge can order the other person to move out of the home you share, at least for the time of the order.
- Child-related protections – The order may address temporary parenting time, pick-up and drop-off arrangements, or rules to help protect children’s safety. It might also restrict the other person from coming to children’s schools or activities in some circumstances.
- Firearms and weapons restrictions – Some orders can limit the other person’s ability to have or use firearms or other weapons, depending on the type of order and the facts.
- Other conditions – Judges may include other terms meant to reduce risk, such as no damage to property, no threats, or no following or monitoring you.
How Long a Protective Order Can Last
In Kentucky, emergency or temporary protective orders usually last only until the court hearing date or a short time after, so the judge can decide whether to issue a longer order.
Longer-term protective orders can sometimes last months or years, depending on the type of order, the findings the judge makes, and Kentucky law at the time. In some cases, a person may later ask the court to extend, change, or end the order.
Because the length and renewal rules depend on current Kentucky law, it is important to confirm with a court clerk or legal professional how long an order might last in your situation.
Staying Informed and Getting Local Guidance
Kentucky’s protective order process, forms, and names of orders can change. Different counties may also handle some parts of the process slightly differently.
To get up-to-date information for your location, it may help to:
- Call or visit your local district or family court clerk and ask about current protective order procedures.
- Contact a Kentucky domestic violence or victim services program for support, safety planning, and help understanding next steps.
- Reach out to a Kentucky legal aid office or private lawyer for legal guidance that fits your situation.
A protective order is one tool among many. You can use it alongside other safety strategies, support from people you trust, and community resources that understand abuse and relationship harm.