How to Get a Protective Order in Louisiana
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Louisiana · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Louisiana, a protective order is a civil court order under the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act (La. R.S. 46:2131 and following) that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you. You seek one when a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, household member, or family member has abused, threatened, or harassed you. The process has two stages. First, you file a Petition for Protection from Abuse, using Louisiana's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms, with the district court in your parish. A petitioner is not required to prepay court costs (La. R.S. 46:2134). On good cause shown, a judge can sign a temporary restraining order (TRO) the same day, without the other person present. When a TRO is granted without notice, the court sets a rule to show cause within twenty-one days, when both sides appear (La. R.S. 46:2135). At that hearing, if you prove abuse, the judge can issue a protective order for a fixed period of up to eighteen months, which can be extended (La. R.S. 46:2136). Louisiana also lets the judge make the part of the order that tells the abuser to refrain from abusing, harassing, or interfering with you effective for an indefinite period, so that protection can be permanent. If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Find out where you stand in Louisiana
Where are you in getting a restraining order?
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How do I get a protective order in Louisiana?
File a Petition for Protection from Abuse, using Louisiana's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms, with the district court in your parish. A petitioner is not required to prepay court costs (La. R.S. 46:2134). On good cause, a judge can sign a same-day temporary restraining order and set a hearing.
How long does a temporary restraining order last in Louisiana?
When a judge signs an ex parte temporary restraining order without the other person present, the court sets a rule to show cause within twenty-one days (La. R.S. 46:2135). The TRO stays in force until that hearing, where a judge decides whether to issue a longer protective order.
How long does a protective order last in Louisiana?
A protective order can last for a fixed period of up to eighteen months and may be extended after a contradictory hearing (La. R.S. 46:2136). The portion that orders the abuser to refrain from abusing, harassing, or interfering with you can be made effective for an indefinite period, meaning permanent.
Which court handles protective orders in Louisiana?
You file in the district court for the parish where you live, where the abuse happened, or where the abuser lives. Some parishes, such as East Baton Rouge, route these cases to a family or juvenile court. The clerk of court accepts the petition and cannot charge you to file it.
Louisiana protective order law at a glance
In Louisiana, a protective order under the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act (La. R.S. 46:2131 and following) directs a spouse, partner, household member, or family member to stop abusing you and stay away. You start it by filing a Petition for Protection from Abuse, using the state's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms, with the district court in your parish, and a petitioner is not required to prepay court costs (La. R.S. 46:2134). On good cause shown, a judge can sign a temporary restraining order the same day, without the other person present. When the TRO is granted without notice, a rule to show cause is set within twenty-one days (La. R.S. 46:2135). After that hearing, a protective order can last up to eighteen months and may be extended, and the part ordering the abuser to refrain from abuse can be made permanent (La. R.S. 46:2136).
Getting a Louisiana protective order after threats from an ex-partner
A former boyfriend in Louisiana repeatedly comes to your apartment uninvited and sends threatening texts at night. You complete a Petition for Protection from Abuse on the state's LPOR forms, describing each threat with dates, and file it with the district court clerk at no cost (La. R.S. 46:2134). The same day, a judge finds good cause and signs a temporary restraining order without your ex present, and the court sets a rule to show cause within twenty-one days (La. R.S. 46:2135). A deputy serves your ex with the papers. At the hearing you show the messages and testify. The judge issues a protective order and, because the threats continued, makes the no-abuse portion effective for an indefinite period (La. R.S. 46:2136). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
La. R.S. 46:2135 (temporary restraining order and 21-day hearing)
Authorizes a court to enter a temporary restraining order without bond on good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding, and provides that when a TRO is granted without notice the matter shall be set within twenty-one days for a rule to show cause why a protective order should not be issued.
La. R.S. 46:2134 (no prepaid court costs)
Provides that a petitioner shall not be required to prepay or be cast with court costs or costs of service or subpoena for the filing of the petition or the issuance of a temporary restraining order or protective order under this Part.
La. R.S. 46:2136 (protective order duration and indefinite term)
Provides that a final protective order or approved consent agreement shall be for a fixed period not to exceed eighteen months and may be extended after a contradictory hearing, and that the portion directing the defendant to refrain from abusing, harassing, or interfering may be made effective for an indefinite period.
La. R.S. 46:2131 (Domestic Abuse Assistance Act; purpose)
Establishes the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act to provide a civil remedy for domestic abuse that affords immediate and easily accessible protection, and states the legislative purpose that violent and abusive behavior against household members is not tolerated.
Regional Variances
Louisiana protective order rules at a glance
Order name
Protective order under the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act (La. R.S. 46:2131 and following), preceded by an ex parte temporary restraining order (TRO). Louisiana also has separate orders for dating violence and for stalking or sexual assault.
Where to file
The district court in the parish where you live, where the abuse happened, or where the abuser lives. Some parishes, such as East Baton Rouge, route these cases to a family or juvenile court. A petitioner is not required to prepay court costs (La. R.S. 46:2134).
Emergency and temporary orders
On good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding, a judge can sign a temporary restraining order the same day, without the other person present. When granted without notice, a rule to show cause is set within twenty-one days (La. R.S. 46:2135).
Final order duration
A protective order runs for a fixed period of up to eighteen months and may be extended after a contradictory hearing. The portion ordering the abuser to refrain from abuse, harassment, or interference can be made permanent (La. R.S. 46:2136).
Main form
Petition for Protection from Abuse, filed on Louisiana's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms and entered in the Louisiana Protective Order Registry (La. R.S. 46:2136.2). The clerk of court provides the forms.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Petition for Protection from Abuse (LPOR forms)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out the Petition for Protection from Abuse on Louisiana's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms, describing your relationship and each incident with dates. Use the clerk of court forms and legal aid help if you need it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your petition with the district court clerk
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the petition with the clerk of the district court in the parish where you live, where the abuse happened, or where the abuser lives. A petitioner is not required to prepay court costs or costs of service (La. R.S. 46:2134). Ask when the judge will decide on your TRO.
Get and carry the temporary restraining order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge signs an ex parte temporary restraining order (La. R.S. 46:2135), keep a copy with you at all times. It stays in force until your hearing. Note your rule to show cause date, which is set within twenty-one days of an ex parte TRO.
Confirm the abuser is served
Before the hearing days after startingThe sheriff serves the defendant with the TRO and notice of the hearing, usually within twenty-four hours of the order (La. R.S. 46:2135), and you do not pay for service. Service is required before the judge can issue a full protective order at the hearing.
Attend the rule to show cause hearing with your evidence
On the hearing date (within 21 days of an ex parte TRO) days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, medical records, and any witnesses. You must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (La. R.S. 46:2135). If you miss the hearing, your temporary restraining order can expire and no protective order will issue.
Track the duration and ask to extend or make it permanent
Before the order expires (up to 18 months out) days after startingA protective order can last up to eighteen months and be extended after a hearing, and the no-abuse portion can be made permanent (La. R.S. 46:2136). Calendar the expiration date and file to extend before it ends if you still need protection.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Petition for Protection from Abuse (LPOR forms) | Fill out the Petition for Protection from Abuse on Louisiana's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms, describing your relationship and each incident with dates. Use the clerk of court forms and legal aid help if you need it. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your petition with the district court clerk | File the petition with the clerk of the district court in the parish where you live, where the abuse happened, or where the abuser lives. A petitioner is not required to prepay court costs or costs of service (La. R.S. 46:2134). Ask when the judge will decide on your TRO. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the temporary restraining order | If the judge signs an ex parte temporary restraining order (La. R.S. 46:2135), keep a copy with you at all times. It stays in force until your hearing. Note your rule to show cause date, which is set within twenty-one days of an ex parte TRO. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Confirm the abuser is served | The sheriff serves the defendant with the TRO and notice of the hearing, usually within twenty-four hours of the order (La. R.S. 46:2135), and you do not pay for service. Service is required before the judge can issue a full protective order at the hearing. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the rule to show cause hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, medical records, and any witnesses. You must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (La. R.S. 46:2135). If you miss the hearing, your temporary restraining order can expire and no protective order will issue. | - | On the hearing date (within 21 days of an ex parte TRO) |
| Track the duration and ask to extend or make it permanent | A protective order can last up to eighteen months and be extended after a hearing, and the no-abuse portion can be made permanent (La. R.S. 46:2136). Calendar the expiration date and file to extend before it ends if you still need protection. | - | Before the order expires (up to 18 months out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. La. R.S. 46:2134 provides that a petitioner shall not be required to prepay or be cast with court costs or costs of service or subpoena for filing the petition or for the issuance of a temporary restraining order or protective order. You are also not charged for having the abuser served.
On good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding, a judge can sign a temporary restraining order without the other person present (La. R.S. 46:2135). Good cause means an immediate and present danger of abuse. When the TRO is granted without notice, the court sets a rule to show cause within twenty-one days.
You can file if the person who abused you is a current or former spouse, a dating partner, a household member, or a family member covered by the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act (La. R.S. 46:2131 and following). A parent can file for a child. Louisiana also has separate orders for dating violence and stalking.
You file a Petition for Protection from Abuse using Louisiana's Uniform Abuse Prevention Order (LPOR) forms, which are standardized statewide and entered in the Louisiana Protective Order Registry (La. R.S. 46:2136.2). The clerk of court's office provides the forms, and legal aid or self-help staff can help you complete them.
Both you and the abuser can appear, present evidence, and testify. You must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (La. R.S. 46:2135). If the judge finds abuse occurred, the court issues a protective order and decides its terms, such as no contact, stay-away, and who keeps the home.
Yes, in part. A protective order runs for a fixed period of up to eighteen months and may be extended after a contradictory hearing (La. R.S. 46:2136). The court may make the portion directing the abuser to refrain from abusing, harassing, or interfering with you effective for an indefinite period, meaning permanent.
Violating a Louisiana protective order is a crime, and the abuser can be arrested and prosecuted. Call the police and report every violation. Louisiana orders are entered in the statewide Louisiana Protective Order Registry (La. R.S. 46:2136.2), so any law enforcement officer can verify and enforce your order at any time.
No. Louisiana lets you file a Petition for Protection from Abuse on your own using the standardized LPOR forms, and clerks, legal aid programs, and domestic violence advocates can help. A lawyer can be useful if the case is contested, the abuser has an attorney, or custody or property is disputed.
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