Prepare your documents for Domestic Abuse Prevention Order Louisiana

This website helps prepare the required forms for Domestic Abuse Prevention Order.

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HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

Start with an online screening tool to help you decide which order of protection fits your situation the best.

2. Prepare Documents

Instead of looking at the forms themselves, our system will help you complete your filing documents by having you answer all of the necessary information by topic. We will ask you questions in plain and non-legal language. To make this process as simple as possible, our system will then generate your response anywhere it is needed on the forms.

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

You may consult a domestic violence advocate for guidance when filing a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in Louisiana. Advocates can help you understand the process, review your situation, explain available legal protections, and assist with safety planning. While not required, their support can make filing easier and help you feel more informed and supported throughout the process.

4. File with the Clerk

To begin the process of obtaining a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in Louisiana, you must file a petition with the Clerk of Court in the parish where you live, where the respondent lives, or where the abuse occurred. There is no filing fee for this case type. Filing is typically done in person at the courthouse, and in some parishes may also be available electronically.

Process

Step 1

You: Gathering Evidence for a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in Louisiana

Your personal statement (petition and testimony) is critical evidence. However, providing additional supporting materials can strengthen your request for a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO). Louisiana courts may consider the following types of evidence:

Evidence Type 1: Police Reports or Criminal Cases
If law enforcement responded to an incident, include copies of police reports or note any arrests, protective orders, or pending criminal charges. Judges often view these as strong evidence that abuse or threats occurred.

Evidence Type 2: Medical or Counseling Records
Provide medical records, emergency room notes, photographs taken by healthcare providers, or counseling/therapy documentation showing injuries, trauma, or treatment related to the abuse. These records help demonstrate physical or emotional harm.

Evidence Type 3: Written or Digital Communications
Submit threatening or abusive text messages, emails, voicemails, social media messages, or letters. Screenshots, call logs, and printouts are commonly accepted as evidence.

Evidence Type 4: Witness Testimony or Affidavits
Friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, or others who witnessed the abuse, heard threats, or observed injuries or distress afterward may testify in court or provide sworn written statements.

Evidence Type 5: 911 Calls or Emergency Records
Include information about any emergency calls or reports, such as:

The number called (e.g., 911)
Date and time of the call
Who made the call
What was reported

Evidence Type 6: Photographs, Videos, or Physical Evidence
Photos or videos of injuries, damaged property, weapons used or threatened, or other physical items related to the abuse can help the court understand the severity and impact of the situation.

Providing as much relevant evidence as possible can help the judge better assess your request for protection and increase the likelihood that the order is granted.

Step 2

You: Take Online Screening

Determine if your situation is suitable for applying for a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in Louisiana by completing a short screening. You can begin by entering your ZIP code in the top right corner to get started.

Step 3

You: Create Case Documents - Packet

After the screening, this website will guide you through the remaining steps to create your case documents.

Just for your awareness: To apply for a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in Louisiana, you must complete and file the required Louisiana court forms. These forms ask about your relationship to the respondent, the incidents of abuse, and the specific protections you are requesting.

The most important document is the Petition for Domestic Abuse Prevention Order. In this petition, you explain what happened and why you need protection. The information you provide helps the judge decide whether to issue the order.

Step 4

You: File with the Court: How to File a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in Louisiana

Louisiana allows you to file a Petition for a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in person at the courthouse. You must submit your petition to the Clerk of Court in the parish where you live, where the respondent (the person you are seeking protection from) lives, or where the abuse occurred.

To formally request court protection in a domestic abuse situation, you must complete and file the Petition for Domestic Abuse Prevention Order with the Clerk of Court. This step is known as filing.

Filing options in Louisiana:

In person: File your petition directly with the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in the appropriate parish.
Electronically (where available): Some parishes offer electronic filing, but availability and requirements vary by parish. If e-filing is offered, filings submitted outside business hours are generally considered filed on the next business day.

Domestic Abuse Prevention Order cases are filed in the appropriate Louisiana district court. Once your petition is accepted, the court will assign a case number, which is used to track and manage your case.

Step 5

Judge Issues a Temporary Order

Based on the information and evidence you provide, a judge in Louisiana may issue a Temporary Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) the same day you file your petition. This is also called an ex parte order and is designed to provide immediate protection until a full court hearing can be held.

If the situation seems less urgent or there is limited supporting evidence, the judge may take additional time to review your petition before deciding whether to issue a temporary order.

A judge may deny your request for a temporary order if:

There are no legal grounds for a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order,
The petition is incomplete, or
The court lacks jurisdiction (for example, the respondent does not live in Louisiana and the abuse did not occur in Louisiana).

Even if a temporary order is denied, the judge may still schedule a court hearing so that both you and the respondent can appear, present your sides, and allow the judge to decide whether to issue a longer-term order.

Step 6

Law Enforcement: Delivers Temporary Order to the Respondent

Once a judge issues a Temporary Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in Louisiana, it must be officially served to the respondent before it becomes legally enforceable. Until the respondent is served, law enforcement cannot take action to enforce the order.

After the order is served, any violation—such as contacting you, coming near your home, workplace, or school, or making threats—may result in the respondent’s arrest and possible criminal charges.

Step 7

You, Respondent: Attend Court Hearing

After a Temporary Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) is issued and served in Louisiana, the court will schedule a full hearing, typically within 14 to 21 days. At this hearing, both you (the petitioner) and the respondent may attend, present evidence, and give testimony.

The judge will review:

Evidence from both sides
Witness testimony
Any new incidents since the temporary order was issued

If the judge finds sufficient proof of abuse, harassment, intimidation, or threats—and determines there is an ongoing need for protection—a Plenary Domestic Abuse Prevention Order will be issued.

This final order may:

Be valid for a set period (commonly up to two years), or
Remain in effect indefinitely, depending on the case and the judge’s findings

If you (the petitioner) do not attend the hearing, your case may be dismissed. If the respondent does not attend, the judge may still issue the final order without their input.

Step 8

You: Collect the Final Order of Protection

If the judge issues a Plenary Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) after the hearing in Louisiana, you will receive an official, signed copy of the order. Be sure to collect a paper copy from the Clerk’s Office before leaving the courthouse.

The order will specify:

The protections granted to you
Any restrictions placed on the respondent
The duration of the order (for a set period, often up to two years, or sometimes indefinite)

Keep this copy in a safe but easily accessible place, as you may need to show it to law enforcement, your workplace, school, or other institutions as part of your safety plan.

FAQs

What is a domestic abuse prevention order in louisiana?

How does a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order help me?

A Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in Louisiana helps protect individuals who have experienced abuse from a spouse, intimate partner, family member, or household member. It provides immediate legal protection by prohibiting the abuser from contacting or approaching you, coming near your home, workplace, or school, or using threats or intimidation. In some cases, the order can require the abuser to leave the home and may include temporary arrangements for child custody or support. Violating the order can lead to arrest and criminal charges, giving you a way to enforce your safety.

Beyond legal enforcement, having a DAPO can help you feel safer and support other safety measures, such as notifying your workplace, school, or neighbors. Overall, it gives you essential legal tools to prevent further abuse and protect yourself and your family.

What does an Louisiana Domestic Abuse Prevention Order NOT do?

A Louisiana Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) does not solve all safety or legal issues and has certain limitations. It cannot:

Prevent abuse that occurs outside the court’s jurisdiction if the respondent lives elsewhere and the abuse did not occur in Louisiana.
Provide long-term solutions for financial problems, housing, or employment—though it may include temporary support or custody orders, it is not a substitute for full legal or financial remedies.
Guarantee that the abuser will comply; enforcement depends on law enforcement intervention if the order is violated.
Automatically remove criminal liability; a DAPO is civil, so the abuser may still face separate criminal charges only if law enforcement pursues them.
Provide counseling, therapy, or emotional support—these must be sought separately to address trauma.

In short, a DAPO is a legal protective tool to prevent contact and abuse, but it does not solve every safety, financial, or emotional issue related to domestic abuse.

What Happens if the Respondent Violates an Domestic Abuse Prevention Order?

If the respondent violates a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in Louisiana, there can be serious legal consequences. Once the order is served, any contact or actions prohibited by the order—such as approaching you, contacting you, threatening you, or coming near your home, workplace, or school—are considered violations. Law enforcement can arrest the respondent for breaking the order, and they may face criminal charges, which could result in fines, jail time, or other penalties.

Violations can also strengthen your case if you later request extensions or additional protections. Essentially, the order is legally enforceable, and violating it carries immediate and enforceable consequences to protect your safety.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order?

Do I need a lawyer to get a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order?

How long does it take to get a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order?

The time it takes to get a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in Louisiana depends on whether you are seeking temporary or final (plenary) protection.

Temporary Order: If your situation is urgent, a judge can issue a Temporary DAPO the same day you file your petition. This provides immediate protection until a full hearing can be held.
Plenary (Final) Order: After the temporary order is issued, the court schedules a full hearing, usually within 14 to 21 days. At this hearing, both you and the respondent can present evidence and testimony. If the judge finds sufficient proof of abuse, harassment, or threats, a Plenary DAPO is issued, which provides longer-term protection.

In short, you can receive immediate protection the same day, but the final order usually takes a few weeks, depending on the court schedule and the complexity of the case.

How long is a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order in effect?

A Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in Louisiana can be in effect for different lengths of time depending on the type of order and the judge’s decision:

Temporary DAPO: This is short-term protection issued immediately after filing and usually lasts until the full court hearing, often 14 to 21 days.
Plenary (Final) DAPO: After the hearing, the judge may issue a final order, which can be:
- For a set period, commonly up to two years, or
- Indefinite, depending on the circumstances and ongoing need for protection.

The order remains legally enforceable for its duration, and violations at any time can lead to arrest and criminal penalties.

How can a Domestic Abuse Prevention Order affect a divorce?

A Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (DAPO) in Louisiana can impact a divorce, but it does not automatically end the marriage or handle divorce-related issues. Here’s how it may affect the process:

Custody and Visitation: A DAPO can influence temporary child custody or visitation arrangements by restricting the abuser’s contact with the children while the order is in effect.
Safety Considerations: The court may consider the existence of a DAPO when making decisions about shared living arrangements, protective measures, or supervised visitation.
Temporary Support: The DAPO may include temporary provisions for financial support, which could be considered when determining alimony or child support during the divorce.
Evidence in Divorce Case: The fact that a DAPO was issued can be relevant in the divorce proceedings, particularly if domestic abuse is a factor in custody, visitation, or property disputes.
Separate Legal Proceedings: Keep in mind that a DAPO is a civil protective order and is separate from the divorce case. You still need to file for divorce and address related issues in the family court.

In short, a DAPO provides immediate protection and can shape aspects of divorce, especially regarding children and safety, but it does not replace or automatically resolve divorce matters.

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the topics required to complete your Domestic Abuse Prevention Order documents and file your case.

Core Forms

Petition For Protection From Abuse
Petition For Protection From Abuse Child
Confidential Address Form
Information For Service Of Process
Temporary Restraining Order
Order of Protection
Firearms Information