Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Louisiana
In Louisiana, if you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Louisiana's civil protection order goes by the name protective order, and the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act authorizes it under Louisiana Revised Statutes 46:2131 and following. A current or former spouse, a co-parent, or someone abused by a family or household member can petition district court for one. Filing costs nothing. When danger is immediate, a Louisiana court can grant a temporary restraining order that same day. Once a hearing follows, a protective order can bar contact, remove the respondent from a shared home, and set temporary custody terms for children the parties share.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Louisiana law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Louisiana paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a protective order
The Domestic Abuse Assistance Act reaches family or household members in Louisiana. Current and former spouses fall under that umbrella, as do people related by blood or marriage. So do people who currently share a household or once lived together. Dating partners qualify, and so do people who share a child. A separate Louisiana statute handles stalking and other situations where this family or household link isn't present.
Temporary orders and the full hearing
Showing immediate danger lets a petitioner get a same-day temporary restraining order, and the respondent does not need to be present for that step. Once served, the order stays active until the full hearing. Louisiana law typically sets that hearing within about two weeks, giving both sides a chance to be heard. After the hearing, a protective order in Louisiana can run up to 18 months, and a court can extend it beyond that.
Hearing dates depend on the calendar of the district or parish court handling the case. Check the exact date and any local paperwork with the clerk of court where you filed.
Filing is free, and where to file
Filing a domestic abuse protective order petition costs nothing in Louisiana. The right venue is the district court of the parish where the petitioner lives, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse took place. Self-help resources from Louisiana courts walk petitioners through filing these civil protective order cases without a lawyer.
Firearms provisions
While a Louisiana protective order is active, a court can order the respondent to surrender firearms. Separately, federal law bars firearm possession for anyone subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders. Breaking a Louisiana protective order is a crime, and it can lead to arrest.
Protective orders and divorce or custody cases
A Louisiana protective order stands as its own case, apart from any divorce or custody matter. No open divorce or custody case is required to request one. While active, the order can still set temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children. If a divorce or custody case is already underway, let that court know about the protective order so both proceedings stay consistent.
Sources: Louisiana Legislature, Louisiana Revised Statutes, Louisiana Supreme Court, Civil Proceedings Self-Help, Protective Orders, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, hotline 1-888-411-1333
Not independently confirmed
- Exact hearing scheduling window can vary by parish; confirm with the filing district court clerk.
- Whether the 18-month maximum applies uniformly to every protective order type under Louisiana's statute; confirm with the filing court or a legal aid resource.
Protective Orders in Louisiana: frequently asked questions
What is a protective order in Louisiana?+
It's Louisiana's civil protective order, authorized under the Domestic Abuse Assistance Act, La. R.S. 46:2131 and following. Spouses, family and household members, dating partners, and co-parents can use it, and while active it can order no contact and restrict firearms.
Where do I file for a protective order in Louisiana?+
File in the district court of the parish where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse happened. Louisiana courts offer self-help resources with the forms needed to file without a lawyer.
Does it cost money to file in Louisiana?+
No. Filing a domestic abuse protective order petition costs nothing in Louisiana.
How fast can I get protection in Louisiana?+
Show immediate danger and a judge can grant a temporary restraining order that same day, without notifying the other person first. A full hearing for both sides typically follows within about two weeks.
How long does a protective order last in Louisiana?+
Up to 18 months once a hearing has taken place, and a Louisiana court can extend that if the petitioner still needs protection when it's set to expire.
Can a protective order affect custody in Louisiana?+
Yes. Temporary custody and visitation terms for shared children can be part of it, even with no separate custody case open. Tell the divorce or custody court about the protective order if one already exists.
This page is general information about protective orders in Louisiana, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Louisiana's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Louisiana. Virdix does not prepare or file Louisiana divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Louisiana.
More Louisiana divorce guides
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In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Louisiana, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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