Recently updated on May 6th, 2026 at 02:12 pm
Create and File Your Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order (EARO) Online
This free website helps elders, dependent adults, and their loved ones prepare and file for an Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order (EARO) in California.
Victims of elder or dependent adult abuse may request an EARO against the person abusing, neglecting, harassing, isolating, or financially exploiting them.
The website guides users through a series of simple questionnaires with helpful explanations based on California court forms and procedures. After completing the questionnaires, you may be able to electronically file your forms or download completed forms and filing instructions for your local court.
An Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order (EARO) can help protect an elder (someone age 65 or older) or a dependent adult from abuse, neglect, harassment, isolation, abandonment, or financial exploitation.
An EARO may be requested by the elder or dependent adult themselves, or by certain people legally allowed to act on their behalf, such as a conservator, trustee, attorney-in-fact, guardian ad litem, or a representative of Adult Protective Services.
Abuse may be physical, emotional, financial, or neglect-related, and can happen in person, online, or through isolation from friends, family, money, or basic needs.
How it Works - Video Overview
A short video that outlines how you can prepare your official EARO court forms (also known as a packet). Then file it at the local Superior Court.
Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse may involve abuse, neglect, harassment, isolation, abandonment, or financial exploitation by a family member, caregiver, household member, acquaintance, or another person.
When you begin preparing your case on this website, you will first complete a screening questionnaire to help determine whether an Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order (EARO) may fit your situation.
Only a judge can decide whether to issue a restraining order.
This step involves answering questionnaires about the person you are seeking protection from and the overall situation. The questions are based on official California court forms, but are presented in a more user-friendly format. After you complete the questionnaires, your answers will be used to generate court forms that are ready for filing.
Unless you choose to file your forms with the court, your responses on this website are generally not part of a public court case. You may complete the questionnaires even if you are only exploring your options.
Filing your case documents with the court is the first step in starting the official restraining order process.
In California, restraining order requests are generally filed with the Superior Court in the county where the protected person lives or where the abuse occurred. Some counties also offer filing assistance through self-help centers or family justice centers.
A court clerk will review and process your filing. If accepted, the court will assign a case number that you can use to track and reference your case.
A judge will review your paperwork and decide whether to issue a temporary restraining order before the hearing.
If the judge does not grant the requested temporary orders, the court may deny the request or set a hearing with limited or no temporary protections.
If the judge grants the request, the court will schedule a hearing and issue a temporary restraining order that generally remains in effect until the hearing date.
After filing, the court clerk will provide the filed court papers that must be formally served on the respondent. These documents notify the respondent about the restraining order request and the upcoming court hearing.
The person who serves the court papers on the respondent must complete a Proof of Service form. For California Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders, this is typically form EA-200. The completed Proof of Service must then be filed with the court.
Filing the Proof of Service is an important step because the court generally requires proof that the respondent was properly served before the hearing can proceed.
A hearing is a court proceeding where the judge reviews the facts, evidence, and statements from both parties to decide whether to issue a restraining order.
If the judge grants the request, the court may issue a restraining order after the hearing. For California Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse cases, this is typically issued on form EA-130.
The issued restraining order must be formally served on the respondent so they are notified of the court’s orders and aware of the restrictions imposed.
After the restraining order is served, a Proof of Service form must also be completed and filed with the court to show that the respondent received the issued order.
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
1. Take Screening
Start with the online screening, which will guide you through a few questions to help determine whether your situation may qualify for an Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order (EARO).
2. Prepare Documents
Prepare the main set of your court documents by covering one topic at a time. Each topic offers questions in simple and non-legal language. Just do your best and in case you need help you can get reach out for help just with a few clicks.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
If you are seeking protection for elder or dependent adult abuse, you may consider speaking with an advocate or support organization. An advocate may help explain the process, review your court forms, discuss safety planning, and connect you with local resources or services related to elder or dependent adult abuse.
4. Submit to Court
Submit the paperwork to begin the legal process. You can do that by either printing and visiting the court or directly E-filing from this website.
How do restraining orders help?
Research and court guidance suggest that restraining orders may help reduce abuse, harassment, threats, and unwanted contact for elders and dependent adults. They can also provide court-enforced protections such as stay-away orders, no-contact orders, and protections against financial exploitation or caregiver abuse.
1. Reduce Violence
Civil protective orders, including Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders (EAROs), may help reduce abuse, harassment, threats, and contact in many situations. While outcomes vary by case, restraining orders can provide important legal protections and help improve safety for elders and dependent adults.
2. Cost Effective
Restraining orders are generally a low-cost legal remedy and can provide important protection and court-enforced restrictions for elders and dependent adults experiencing abuse or exploitation.
3. Urban vs. Rural
Restraining orders may help protect elders and dependent adults in both rural and urban communities. In areas where support services or resources may be limited, reducing barriers to obtaining court protection and related assistance can be especially important.
When you pass the screening and complete the questionnaires, you can download California court forms filled out with your information and ready for filing. These are official Judicial Council forms used throughout California for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders (EARO).
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Request for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order - EA-100
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Temporary Restraining Order - EA-110
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Description of Abuse - DV-101
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Notice of Court Hearing - EA-109
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Confidential CLETS Information - CLETS-001
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Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order After Hearing - EA-130
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Response to Request for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders - EA-120
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Proof of Firearms Turned In, Sold, or Stored - EA-800
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Request to Continue Court Hearing - EA-115
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Order on Request to Continue Hearing - EA-116
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Proof of Personal Service (CLETS) - EA-200
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Request for Interpreter (RI-IN007)
