Restraining Orders

An ex parte temporary relief from abuse order can:

• order the abuser to stop contacting you and/or your children directly, indirectly, or through a third party, including in writing or by telephone, e-mail, or other electronic communication;
• order the abuser to stop abusing and interfering with the personal liberty of you and/or your children;
• order the abuser to stay a certain distance away from you, your children, your home, and your work;
• order the abuser to not mistreat or kill any animal (pet) owned or possessed by you, the defendant, or a minor child living in the household;
• If the abuser forced you and/or your children out of the home and you have no where to go, the judge can order the defendant to immediately leave the home and order that you have sole possession of the home; 
• grant you temporary custody of your children if the judge believes that there is an immediate danger of physical or emotional harm to the children; and
• order the abuser to immediately give up his/her firearms and to not get any new firearms while the order is in effect.¹

A permanent relief from abuse order can:

• order the abuser to stop contacting you and/or your children directly, indirectly, or through a third party, including in writing or by telephone, e-mail, or other electronic communication;
• order the abuser to stay away from you and/or your children, your work, children’s school or other locations you specify;
• order the abuser to stop abusing and interfering with the personal liberty of you and/or your children;
• order the abuser to immediately leave the home you share with him/her and give you sole possession of the home;
• award temporary rights and responsibilities (temporary custody) of minor children to you and give the defendant parent-child contact under such conditions as are necessary to protect the you and/or the children from abuse;
• order the abuser to pay you spousal support for up to three months;
• order the abuser to pay you child support for up to three months;
• decide the possession, care and control of any animal owned or kept by you, the abuser, or a child in the home;
• order that the defendant return to you any personal documentation in his/her possession, including immigration documentation, birth certificates, and identification cards for you and/or your children;² and
• anything else you need to keep you and/or your children safe.

Whether a judge orders any or all of the above depends on the facts of your case.

¹ VT ST 15 § 1104(a)
² VT ST 15 § 1103(c)(2)