{"id":373581,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-02-09T10:24:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T15:24:19","slug":"kentucky-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Kentucky Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Kentucky<\/span> protective orders are issued by a judge to protect victims of domestic violence<\/span>, dating abuse, sexual assault<\/span>, or stalking. These court-sanctioned documents, including Emergency Protective Orders<\/span> (EPO<\/span>) and long-term Domestic Violence Orders<\/span> (DVO<\/span>), typically prohibit an abuser from contacting or approaching the petitioner. Violating these terms is a serious criminal offense and often results in immediate arrest or jail time.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Victims of abusive acts often need assistance to escape their abusers. Kentucky<\/span> protective orders aren’t foolproof, but often prove an effective means of deterring the abuser from inflicting further hardship on their victim. These court orders<\/span><\/a> use provisions that keep the abuser away from the victim. Certain types can also decide on temporary child custody<\/span>, mandatory counseling, and more.<\/p>\n

It’s a bit confusing to figure out which restraining order<\/span> is for you. This guide will examine the two types of protective orders<\/span> Kentucky<\/span> offers<\/a>, explain what they can do, and show you how to apply for the one you need through the court system<\/span>. Nobody should have to suffer abuse. Read on to learn about protective orders in Kentucky<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Kentucky<\/span> Protective Orders Laws: Types of Orders Available<\/h2>\n

All Kentucky<\/span> protective orders work in the same way. Provisions dictate what an abuser can and can’t do concerning the victim. The differences lie in the people involved<\/a> and the scope of what the conditions can do. Let’s take a look at each protective order available in Kentucky<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Domestic Violence Protective Orders (EPO<\/span>\/DVO<\/span>)<\/h3>\n

Domestic violence<\/a> and abuse crimes have somewhat strict requirements. Certain abusive acts must occur between people sharing qualifying close relationships for domestic violence and abuse classification.<\/p>\n

The people involved are family members<\/span> and members of an unmarried couple<\/span><\/a> under Kentucky<\/span> law<\/span>. This includes the following:<\/p>\n