Legal Research Guides > Protective Orders (last updated: 06/14/2024)
General Information
Texaslawhelp.org contains several research articles about Protection from Violence or Abuse in Texas. Read More.
Domestic Violence: Relevant Even If Nonphysical or Unreported
Getting a Sexual Assault Protective Order: What happens in court?
Sexual Assault Protective Orders: What They Are, Who Can Get One
TROs, Temporary Injunctions, and Temporary Orders in Child Custody Emergencies
Other related resources:
Emergency Protective Orders – Texas Advocacy Project
Protective Orders – Harris County District Attorney’s Office
Texas Laws
Texas Family Code
Protective Orders and Family Violence – Applying for Protective Order – Texas Family Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 82
Application Filed During Suit for Dissolution of Marriage or Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship – Texas Family Code § 82.005
Application Filed After Dissolution of Marriage – Texas Family Code § 82.006
Application Filed for Child Subject to Continuing Jurisdiction – Texas Family Code § 82.007
Application Filed After Expiration of Former Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 82.008
Application Filed Before Expiration of Previously Rendered Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 82.0085
Application for Temporary Ex Parte Order – Texas Family Code § 82.009
Answer – Texas Family Code § 82.021
Confidentiality of Application – Texas Family Code § 82.010
Confidentiality of Certain Information – Texas Family Code § 82.011
Contents of Notice of Application – Texas Family Code § 82.041
Form and Content of Application – Texas Family Code § 82.004
Request by Respondent for Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 82.022
Service of Notice of Application – Texas Family Code § 82.043
Venue – Texas Family Code § 82.003
Who May File Application – Texas Family Code § 82.002
Protective Orders and Family Violence – General Provisions – Texas Family Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 81
Appeal – Texas Family Code § 81.009
Court Enforcement – Texas Family Code § 81.010
Entitlement to Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 81.001
Presumption – Texas Family Code § 81.0015
Protective Orders and Family Violence – Hearing – Texas Family Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 84
Extended Time for Hearing in District Court in Certain Counties – Texas Family Code § 84.002
Time Set for Hearing – Texas Family Code § 84.001
Protective Orders and Family Violence – Issuance of Protective Orders – Texas Family Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 85
Application Filed While Suit for Dissolution of Marriage or Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship Pending – Texas Family Code § 85.062
Agreed Order – Texas Family Code § 85.005
Confidentiality of Certain Information – Texas Family Code § 85.007
Default Order – Texas Family Code § 85.006
Delivery of Order to Other Persons – Texas Family Code § 85.042
Delivery to Respondent – Texas Family Code § 85.041
Duration of Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 85.025
Order Valid Until Superseded – Texas Family Code § 85.009
Required Findings and Orders – Texas Family Code § 85.001
Requirements of Order Applying to Any Party – Texas Family Code § 85.021
Requirements of Order Applying to Person Who Committed Family Violence – Texas Family Code § 85.022
Separation of Wireless Telephone Service Account – Texas Family Code § 85.0225
Separate Protective Orders Required – Texas Family Code § 85.003
Transfer of Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 85.064
Warning on Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 85.026
Protective Orders and Family Violence – Modification of Protective Orders – Texas Family Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 87
Modification May Not Extend Duration of Order – Texas Family Code § 87.002
Modification of Protective Order – Texas Family Code § 87.001
Protective Orders and Family Violence - Temporary Ex Parte Orders – Texas Family Code, Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 83
Duration of Order; Extension – Texas Family Code § 83.002
Enforcement of Temporary Ex Parte Order – Texas Family Code § 83.0025
Exclusion of Party from Residence – Texas Family Code § 83.006
Motion to vacate – Texas Family Code § 83.004
Requirements for Temporary Ex Parte Order – Texas Family Code § 83.001
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
Proceedings Before Magistrates to Prevent Offenses – Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 7
Protective Order for Victims of Sexual Assault or Abuse, Indecent Assault, Stalking, or Trafficking – Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 7B, Subchapter A
Stalking Protective Order – Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 7B, Subchapter B
Temporary Orders Texas Family Code
Conservatorship, Possession, and Access
Temporary Orders – Texas Family Code § 153.702
Modification
Temporary Orders – Texas Family Code § 156.006
Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship
Temporary Orders Before Final Order – Texas Family Code § 105.001
Suit for Dissolution of Marriage
Temporary Injunction and Other Temporary Orders – Texas Family Code § 6.502
Temporary Restraining Order – Texas Family Code § 6.501
Injunction Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Injunction - Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 65
Court Rules
*Be sure to check the website of the court to which you are assigned. Policies, procedures, and requirements may vary from court to court.
Forms
Online
Forms and Templates (280th Family Court)
I want to get a TRO, temporary injunction, and temporary orders in a child custody emergency.
O’Connor’s Texas Family Law Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Texas Jurisprudence Pleading and Practice Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote.)
Texas Legal Practice Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote.)
Texas Practice Series: Texas Methods of Practice (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote.)
West’s Texas Forms (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote.)
Print Resources
O’Connor’s Texas Family Law Handbook, By Randall B. Wilhite and Eileen Gaffney, Thomson Reuters (Reference Desk). This handbook offers a comprehensive look at handling a probate matter from the death and disposition of the body to the closing of the decedent’s estate. Relevant topics include intestate and testate administrations, dependent and independent administrations, personal representatives, and taxes. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library.)
Texas Jur III, Thomson Reuters (Texas Section). This legal encyclopedia summarizes several issues relating to family law, including protective orders. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote).
Texas Practice Guide: Family Law, By Ike Vanden Eykel and Kathryn Murphy, Thomson Reuters (Texas Section). This book provides forms, practical guidance, comprehensive discussions, and strategies for handling issues that arise in family law proceedings. Chapter 15 focuses on protective and emergency orders. (Also available through Westlaw at the Law Library and through Westlaw Patron Access Remote).
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Resources: The State Bar of Texas requires licensed attorneys to take 15 credits of CLE each year. CLE courses typically focus on a particular area of law and might include legal theory, practice tips and guidance, developments in the law, or legislative updates. CLEs are secondary resources that are especially useful in that they provide current information about legal topics and issues.
State Bar of Texas Annual Advanced Family Law Course