Part 4 of 7
Legal First Steps
Plain-language orientation to protection orders, with everything jurisdiction-specific handed off
She understands what a protective order is, knows free help exists, and knows where her evidence is
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What a protective order is
A protective or restraining order is a court order that can legally require an abuser to stay away from you. It's available in every state, though the process, the forms, and even the name vary — in Florida, for example, it's called an "injunction for protection."
Laws and procedures vary by state — confirm current requirements with a local attorney or legal aid clinic before filing.
Free legal aid organizations can advise you on whether and how to file, at no cost. You never have to figure this out alone or pay a lawyer to get started.
Laws and procedures vary by state — confirm current requirements with a local attorney or legal aid clinic before filing.
This app doesn't walk through court forms or filing steps on purpose — those differ by state and change over time. Your Resources tab links WomensLaw.org, your state coalition, and free legal aid for everything specific to where you are.
Your evidence
Move the evidence you saved into somewhere you can access easily
The texts, photos, and voicemails from Stage 1 — make sure they're in your private email or cloud account and that you can pull them up on request. Legal aid will tell you what matters in your state.
Contact one legal resource this week — even just to ask questions
WomensLaw.org for reading, or a free legal aid line for talking. You don't have to be ready to file anything to ask what your options are.
Legal help near you is in your Resources tab.
An injunction for protection (sometimes called a restraining order) is filed with the Clerk of Court. There is no filing fee for a domestic violence injunction, and the clerk's office will help you fill out the forms. You can file even if you have already left home.
WomensLaw.org
Plain-language legal information for every state — protective orders, custody, and what the process is actually called where you live.
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