We are a full service family law firm and represent clients in a wide range of issues, including but not limited to: adoptions, protection orders, guardian ad litem/court visitor appointments, parenting coordination, and representation in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.
PROTECTION ORDERS
In general, to qualify for a protection order you have to fall within a certain category of people (for example a spouse or ex-spouse or persons in an intimate relationship who are living together). In addition, there must be an assault.
Each state offers pro se forms (they can be filed without an attorney) for people to obtain protection orders.
Minnesota – Petition for Order of Protection (OFP) and instructions
Minnesota law also provides for a harassment restraining order (HRO). Under Minn Stat. 609.748 harassment includes: “(1) a single incident of physical or sexual assault, a single incident of harassment under section 609.749, subd 2, clause (8) [uses another’s personal information, without consent, to invite, encourage, or solicit a third party to engage in a sexual act with the person], a single incident of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images under section 617.261, or repeated incidents of intrusive or unwanted actions, words, or gestures that have a substantial adverse effect or are intended to have a substantial adverse effect on the safety, security, or privacy of another, regardless of the relationship between the actor and the intended target; (2) targeted residential picketing, and; (3) a pattern of attending public events after being notified that the actor’s presence at the event is harassing to another.” Click here for the form for a Petition for Harassment Restraining Order and instructions
Iowa – Petition for Relief from Domestic Abuse