Step 5-6
- The Judge may order any type of relief deemed appropriate. Some of the common orders include:
- Direct the respondent to refrain from such acts
- Grant to a party possession of the residence of the parties and exclude the other party
- Require a party to provide suitable alternate housing for the petitioner
- Award temporary custody of minor children and establish temporary visitation rights
- Order assistance to the victim in returning to the household or retrieving property
- Order either party to make payments for the support of a minor child as required by law
- Order either party to make payments for the support of a spouse as required by law
- Provide for possession of personal property of the parties
- Order the respondent to refrain from harassing or interfering with the victim
- Award costs and attorneys fees to either party
- Order the respondent to receive appropriate psychiatric or psychological services
- The victim will take a copy of your signed order back to the Clerk's office. The Clerk will file it and make the victim three certified copies. One goes to the Sheriff’s Office, another will be delivered to the Women’s Resource Center, and the victim will keep one to have with her at all times.
- The victim will take two of the three certified copies and the rest of the paperwork to the Sheriff’s Office / Civil Division on the ground floor of the courthouse. They will give one of the copies to the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and the other will be for their records.
- They will ask the victim several questions about the respondent (i.e., where he works and best time for him to be served). They will also ask where the victim will be so that they may contact you when the Order is served.
- Once the TPO is served, it is valid until the second hearing date.
At this hearing the offender (respondent) will be present. You do not need a lawyer; however, you can choose to have one with you.