In Florida, you can ask the court for a domestic violence injunction if someone in a qualifying relationship has committed domestic violence or if you have a factual basis to believe domestic violence is about to happen. The court can order that person to stay away from you, your home and, in some cases, your children.
Who can ask for this kind of protection?
Florida limits this injunction to certain relationships. It generally applies if you and the other person married each other, were married in the past, share family ties, share a child or live together now or did so before as a family unit.
Filing starts with a verified petition
You begin the process by submitting a verified petition to the court. There is no filing fee for a domestic violence injunction in Florida. A judge must review the filing on the day you submit it or by the next court day to decide whether to grant temporary protection before the full hearing.
If the court issues temporary relief, that order stays effective for up to 15 days. Law enforcement then serves the other person with the hearing information. Court instructions for a person seeking protection can also help explain the filing process and required forms.
What evidence matters at the hearing?
At the hearing, both sides can testify and present evidence. Useful proof may include:
- Police reports or prior incident records
- Photos of injuries, property damage or forced entry
- Threatening text messages, emails or voicemails
A final injunction may also address temporary use of the shared home or parenting arrangements, which can overlap with broader family law matters already in dispute.
A final injunction can affect more than contact
If the judge enters a final injunction, the order can reach beyond no-contact terms and may also affect parenting time, housing or related family court issues. Violating the order can lead to arrest, so understanding exactly what the court requires after the hearing matters.
A Florida family law attorney can help you prepare for the hearing and understand how the injunction may affect related custody or divorce issues.