Washington County Attorneys Help Abuse Victims Get Orders for Protection

Helping protect clients in Washington County, Dakota County, Burnsville, Stillwater and Woodbury, MN

In Minnesota, if you are the victim of domestic violence, you can petition the court for an Order for Protection, informally known as a protective order. An Order for Protection orders the abuser to stop harming or threatening you and your children. When an Order for Protection has been issued, the abuser must stay away from your home, workplace, school or other locations frequented by you and your minor children. If you are the victim of domestic abuse and need an Order for Protection, the attorneys at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. are here to help. With more than 60 years ’ combined experienced, we have the knowledge and skills to help solve any family law problem you face.

Who can get an Order for Protection?

To be eligible for an Order for Protection, you must be the victim of domestic abuse committed by a family or household member. For purposes of the domestic violence laws, a family or household member includes:

If you do not qualify for an Order for Protection, you may qualify for a Harassment Restraining Order. Our attorneys can help you obtain the appropriate protection from the court.

An Order for Protection can have significant effects on the parties, including the children of the parties. A court can award temporary custody and parenting time, child support, spousal maintenance and divide property of the parties. It is important to contact an experienced family law attorney if you have filed or intend to file an Order for Protection or have been served with an Order for Protection.

What is the process for getting an Order for Protection?

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can apply for an Order for Protection from the district court in your county. You first obtain a temporary order, which is effective as soon as the alleged abuser is served with a copy of the order.

The temporary order stays in effect until the court holds a hearing, which is usually seven days after the initial filing. At the hearing, the court meets with both parties to determine if the temporary order should be extended for up to one year.

Are there different types of Orders for Protection?

You can ask the court for one of three types of temporary Orders for Protection:

• Exclusion order — If you and the alleged abuser live together, the alleged abuser is ordered to leave the home at least until the court hearing on whether to extend the temporary order.
• Protection-only order — If you and the alleged abuser live together and you wish to remain together in the same residence, the alleged abuser is ordered not to harm you or cause you fear, but is not ordered to leave the residence.
• Non-exclusion order — If you and the alleged abuser do not live together, the alleged abuser is ordered to stay away from your home at least until the court hearing on whether to extend the temporary order.

Contact our Minnesota attorneys if you need an Order for Protection

Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A. serves clients throughout Minnesota, including in Washington County, Dakota County, Burnsville, Eagan and Woodbury, MN. Contact us online, or call us at 651-379-3024. Initial consultations are free, and flexible scheduling is available.