Recently updated on April 9th, 2024 at 12:44 am
Create and File for Extreme Risk Protection Order
LegalAtoms is a website that allows you to prepare all the documents required to file for a Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) free of charge.
LegalAtoms currently assists with the initial filing for various counties in Washington state.
You will be led through a questionnaire in plain non-legal language, with helpful explanations from lawyers and court officials. Once you have completed the questionnaire you can submit your documents via email or download your documents for filing with any other Washington court that has jurisdiction to sign the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO).
Process Overview
This website presents a list of questions, and then at the end generates the paperwork for ERPO.
This website provides a guided experience to people who are working themselves on preparing the court forms for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
1. View Process, Laws Free
Answer a few questions online, anonymously to diagnose the key issues. View explanations from court staff next to the individual questions.
2. Create ERPO Packet Free
Step through each topic, evaluate decisions, while viewing lawyer-provided articles and video clips on Washington laws. Then download your official WA ERPP court forms (PDF, WORD).
3. Consult Advocates Free & Optional
Consult court staff members by making live appointment usually for the next day.
4. E-File Free
Download and file at the court. Example: King County Superior Court in Seattle.
The Protection Order such can require any number of the following items from your abuser:
- To not contact you and stay away from you (including move out)
- Not have access to a gun
- In case you share children, then follow child custody and visitation orders, pay child support,
- In case you were married or a formal domestic union, then pay spousal support
- Help in acquiring your common household items such as
- Passport or other IDs
- Cell phone
- Pets
A protection order cannot:
- End your marriage or domestic partnership. It is not a divorce.
- Establish parentage (paternity) of your children with the restrained person (if you are not married to, or in a domestic partnership with, him or her)
Under the Washington State law, its a crime of misdemeanor for a person to violate the terms or conditions of a court-issued restraining order, protective order, or stay-away order. This offense is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of up to one year in jail.
But a second-offense violation of a restraining order, or a violation that involves an act of violence, can be charged as a felony and punished by up to 3 years in jail or prison.
Extreme Risk Protection Order is always free.
No, a lawyer is not required. However, having a lawyer in any legal situation can benefit you.
You can get a temporary restraining order the same day as you file in case of an emergency. Courts can close as early as 12:30 p.m. so you need to file before then. Otherwise, the order would be issued the following day when courts open.
Courts are generally open Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday-Sunday.
The temporary order is valid until a formal hearing is held in which both parties need to be present. Typically a hearing is scheduled within 3 weeks of filing.
At the hearing a formal order may be issued.
A ERPO is typically issued for one year, though it can be requested for a different period.
Thousands of Washingtonians file for a ERPO every year
Washington Courts
Official website of the Washington Courts which provides court forms and instructions.
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
WCSAP unites agencies engaged in eliminating sexual violence and provides information and training to members
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WSCADV is a resource for programs that assist domestic violence survivors and their families
Victim Information and Notification Everyday
The VINE system is a free service that allows petitioners to register for notification when a protective order of any type that has been served or is about to expire.
Do Protection Orders Help?
Here the outcome of a research on domestic violence from University of New Hampshire
1. Reduce Violence
Civil protective orders (such as a Domestic Violence Protection Order, an Anti-harassment Protection Order, a Sexual Assault Protection Order) are effective in reducing violence and harassment. For example, for half the women in the sample studied, a protective order stopped the violence. For the other half, the orders significantly reduced violence and abuse.
2. Cost Effective
They are a relatively low-cost solution, particularly when compared with the social and personal costs of partner violence.
3. Cities vs. Countryside
The impact of civil protective orders on reducing violence and abuse did not differ for rural (country side) and urban (cities) women. In rural areas, where resources and services for partner violence may be more limited, it is critical to reduce barriers to obtaining protective orders as research indicates they may be an effective resource. Community-level barriers to enforce civil protective orders exist for women in rural areas.
LegalAtoms guides you through all the topics required to complete your protection order documents and file your case.
Core Forms - Respondent Over 18
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XR 101 Petition for Protection Order
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XR 105 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form
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XR 121 Temporary Protection Order and Hearing Notice
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XR 102 Firearm Identification
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XR 141 Protection Order
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XR 125 Order Transferring Case to Superior Court and Setting Hearing
Core Forms - Respondent Under 18
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XR 201 Petition for Extreme Risk Protection Order - Respondent Under 18
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XR 205 Law Enforcement and Confidential Information Form Under 18
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XR 221 Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order - Without Notice Under 18
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XR 102 Firearm Identification
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XR 141 Protection Order
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XR 125 Order Transfer Case to Superior Court and Setting Hearing
