 Click Here to Find a Lawyer or Attorney
You do not need a
lawyer or an attorney to file for an Order for Protection. However, you may wish to have a lawyer or an attorney, especially if your abuser has a lawyer or an attorney. If you can, contact a lawyer or an attorney to make sure that your legal rights are protected.
Protective
Order- Kentucky
Filing the petition
The petition is filed in the circuit clerk’s office in
your county of residence, or current residence if you have fled domestic
violence.
In the petition, you should describe the most recent
act(s) of abuse and/or threatening behavior. Be certain to note any
instances in which a weapon or dangerous instrument were used or
threatened.
Additionally, you should provide accurate home and
work addresses of the respondent, so the order may be served.
Types of protection available
If you believe you are in immediate and present
physical danger of injury or assault, you may request an Emergency
Protective Order (EPO). An EPO, which is effective until a hearing is
held, may require the respondent to:
- Have no contact or communication with the
petitioner
- Stop the abuse
- Leave the residence you share
- Award petitioner temporary custody of the
children
- Keep from disposing of or damaging property
- Any other orders
If you are not in immediate danger, but protection is
needed, the court may issue a summons for both people to appear in court
for a full hearing within 14 days.
To determine if a summons or EPO has been served, you
may call the circuit clerk or the agency assigned service.
You must be present at the court hearing. Be certain
to know the time, date and place. Keep a copy of the order and
instructions with you at all times.
During a full hearing you should be prepared to:
- Describe abuse and threats (note use of weapons
or dangerous instruments)
- Provide photos, medical and police records, if
available
- Identify safety needs for you and your children,
and
- Describe what protection and/or other needs you
require (i.e. child support, treatment for respondent, etc.)
A Domestic Violence Order (DVO) may be issued during a
full hearing. A DVO is effective as long as ordered by the judge, but no
longer than three years. The conditions of a DVO vary and may include:
- No contact or communication with the petitioner
- Dismissal of the case
- Stop abuse and threats
- Do not dispose or damage any property
- Respondent must leave the residence you share
- Temporary custody of children
- Temporary child support
- Required counseling for respondent, you, or both
- Other relief
Violation of an order
If a violation of an EPO or DVO occurs, immediately
inform law enforcement and the circuit clerk. Violation of a protective
order may be classified as a Class A misdemeanor or contempt of court
and the respondent can be arrested.
Changes in protective needs
If there is any reason to change a protective order,
you must first return to the circuit clerk's office and file a Motion
for Amendment. Failure to do so may result in a penalty against you.
Options
You may be able to file a criminal complaint against
the respondent for abusive or threatening behavior. The circuit clerk
can tell you how and where to file the criminal complaint. The county
attorney can advise you as to your legal rights in a criminal action.
A copy of the protective petition will be forwarded to
the local Department for Social Services. You should expect a social
worker to contact you to offer assistance to you and your family.
There are seventeen
domestic violence programs in Kentucky. The programs began
as safe shelters for victims of domestic violence, but as
understanding of the complex issues facing victims of
domestic violence continues to grow, domestic violence
programs are increasingly committed to providing strong
client support services. In addition to providing a safe,
secure environment for victims/survivors and their children,
programs now also offer a variety of support services to
residents and non-residents including:
- Legal/Court advocacy
- Case management
- Safety planning
- Support groups
- Individual counseling
- Housing assistance
- Job search
- Children's groups
Programs are also
working with clients on resume writing, improving basic job
skills, parenting, budgeting, and drug and alcohol issues.
The programs are
also committed to preventing future domestic violence
through public awareness and community education efforts.
Domestic violence programs are working with schools, local
professionals, and community groups to increase
understanding of domestic violence issues.
(1)
Purchase Area Development District
Includes the Western Kentucky counties of
Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, McCracken,
Graves, Marshall and Hickman; including the
communities of Paducah, Murray, Mayfield and
Benton.
Merryman House
Crisis
Line: (800) 585-2686
Business Line: (270) 443-6282
(2)
Pennyrile Area Development District
Includes the Western Kentucky counties of
Livingston, Crittendon, Lyon, Caldwell, Trigg,
Hopkins, Christian, Muhlenberg and Todd;
including the communities of Hopkinsville,
Madisonville, Cadiz and Greenville.
Sanctuary, Inc.
Crisis
Line: (800) 766-0000
Business Line: (270) 885-4572
(3)
Green River Area Development District
Includes the Western Kentucky counties of Union,
Webster, Henderson, Daviess, McLean, Ohio and
Hancock; including the communities of Henderson,
Owensboro, Beaver Dam and Providence.
OASIS
Crisis
Line: (800) 882-2873
Business Line: (270) 685-0260
(4) Barren
River Area Development District
Includes the South Central Kentucky counties of
Logan, Butler, Warren, Simpson, Allen, Monroe,
Barren, Metcalfe, Hart and Edmonson; including
the communities of Bowling Green, Glasgow, Horse
Cave and Russellville.
BRASS
Crisis
Line: (800) 928-1183
Business Line: (270) 781-9334
(5) Lincoln
Trail Area Development District
Includes the West Central Kentucky counties of
Breckenridge, Grayson, Hardin, Meade, Larue,
Nelson, Washington and Marion counties;
including the communities of Springfield,
Lebanon, Bardstown and Elizabethtown.
Springhaven Inc.
Crisis
Line: (800) 767-5838
Business Line: (270) 765-4057
(6)
KIPDA Area Development District
Includes the Louisville Metro Area counties of
Trimble, Oldham, Shelby, Jefferson, Bullitt and
Spencer; including the communities of
Louisville, Shelbyville, Taylorsville and
LaGrange.
The Center for Women and Families
Crisis
Line: (877) 803-7577
Business Line: (502) 581-7200
(7)
Northern Kentucky Area Development
District
Includes the Northern Kentucky counties of
Carroll, Gallatin, Owen, Grant, Pendleton,
Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties; including
the communities of Carrollton, Warsaw, Owenton,
Dry Ridge, Falmouth, Covington and Florence.
Women's Crisis Center
Crisis
Line: (800) 928-3335 or (859) 491-3335
Business Line: (859) 655-2650
(8)
Bluegrass Area Development District
Includes the Central Kentucky counties of
Franklin, Anderson, Mercer, Boyle, Lincoln,
Garrard, Jessamine, Woodford, Scott, Fayette,
Madison, Estill, Powell, Clark, Bourbon,
Nicholas and Harrison counties; including the
communities of Frankfort, Harrodsburg, Danville,
Richmond, Lexington, Cynthiana, Paris and
Winchester.
Bluegrass Domestic Violence Program
Crisis
Line: (800) 544-2022
Business Line: (859) 233-0657
(9)
Lake Cumberland Area Development District
Includes the South Central Kentucky counties of
Green, Taylor, Adair, Cumberland, Clinton,
Russell, Casey, Pulaski, Wayne and McCreary;
including the communities of Campbellsville,
Columbia, Jamestown, Liberty and Somerset.
Bethany House Abuse Shelter, Inc.
Crisis
Line: (800) 755-2017Business Line: (606)
679-1553
(10)
Cumberland Valley Area Development
District
Includes the South Eastern Kentucky counties of
Rockcastle, Jackson, Laurel, Clay, Knox,
Whitley, Bell and Harlan; including the
communities of Mt. Vernon, McKee, London,
Manchester, Williamsburg and Middlesboro.
Family Life Abuse Center
Crisis
Line: (800) 755-5348
Business Line: (606) 256-9511or (606) 256-2724
(11)
Kentucky River Area Development District
Includes the South Eastern Kentucky counties of
Wolfe, Lee, Owsley, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher,
Perry and Leslie; including the communities of
Campton, Booneville, Jackson, Hyden, Hazard and
Whitesburg.
LKLP Safe House
Crisis
Line: (800) 928-3131
Business Line: (606) 439-1552
(12)
Big Sandy Area Development District
Includes the Eastern Kentucky counties of
Magoffin, Johnson, Floyd, Martin and Pike;
including the communities of Salyersburg,
Prestonsburg, Paintsville and Pikeville.
Big Sandy Family Abuse Center
Crisis
Line: (800) 649-6605
Business Line: (606) 285-9079
(13)
Gateway Area Development District
Includes the Eastern Kentucky counties of
Montgomery, Bath, Menifee, Rowan and Morgan;
including the communities of Mt. Sterling,
Owingsville, Frenchburg, Morehead and West
Liberty.
D.O.V.E.S.
Crisis
Line: (800) 221-4361
Business Line: (606) 784-6880
(14) Buffalo
Trace Area Development District
Includes the North Eastern Kentucky counties of
Bracken, Robertson, Mason, Fleming and Lewis;
including the communities of Augusta, Maysville,
Flemingsburg and Vanceburg.
Women's Crisis Center
Crisis
Line: (800) 928-6708 or (606) 564-6708
Business Line: (859) 655-2650
(15)
FIVCO Area Development District
Includes the North Eastern Kentucky counties of
Greenup, Boyd, Carter, Elliott and Lawrence;
including the communities of Ashland,
Catlettsburg and Grayson.
Safe Harbor, Inc.
Crisis
Line: (800) 926-2150
Business Line: (606) 329-9304
Additional
Shelter Programs in Kentucky
Resurrection Home, serving
Lee and Owsley counties
Crisis
Line: (606) 464-8481
Crisis Line: (800)
928-4638 in Owlsey County
The
Caring Place, Inc.,
serving Washington, Marion and Nelson counties
Crisis Line: (800) 692-9394
Business Phone: (270) 692-9300
Safe Place,
serving Pike County
Crisis Line: (800) 292-7840
Business Phone: (606) 437-9587
The information on
this website is for informational
purposes only and does not
constitute legal advice.
For more
information about protective orders for the state of Kentucky, check
out
http://www.womenslaw.org/KY/KY_how_to.htm
for more information. The
information above was gathered from
http://www.kdva.org/
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Click Here to Find a Lawyer or Attorney
You do not need a lawyer to file for an
Protective Order in the state of Kentucky. However, you may wish to have a lawyer or an attorney, especially if your abuser has a lawyer or an attorney. If you can, contact a lawyer or an attorney to make sure that your legal rights are protected.
Lawyers
from the state of Kentucky.
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