{"id":377344,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-protective-orders-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-05-05T13:36:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T18:36:40","slug":"wisconsin-protective-orders-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/wisconsin-law\/wisconsin-protective-orders-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin Protective Orders Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wisconsin Protective Orders Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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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Protective orders, also called orders of protection or restraining orders, are court orders issued by judges to protect victims from abusers. These Wisconsin court orders can require an abuser to stay away from you, cease all contact, surrender firearms, vacate a shared home, and follow other conditions designed to keep you safe.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wisconsin offers four different types of protective orders to address different situations, including domestic abuse, child abuse, harassment, and abuse of vulnerable adults. Understanding which type of order you need and how to obtain one is crucial for your safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

This guide explains the types of protective orders available in Wisconsin, what they do, how to get one, what happens if an order is violated, and other resources available to victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Domestic Abuse in Wisconsin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before understanding protective orders, it’s helpful to know what Wisconsin considers domestic abuse, since this determines eligibility for domestic abuse restraining orders\u2014the most common type of protective order.<\/span><\/p>\n

Domestic abuse in Wisconsin requires two elements: a qualifying relationship and a qualifying abusive act.<\/span><\/p>\n

Qualifying Relationships<\/span><\/h3>\n

Wisconsin law defines specific relationships<\/span><\/a> that qualify:<\/span><\/p>\n