Renewing Restraining Order (FAPA)

RENEWING A RESTRAINING ORDER UNDER THE FAMILY ABUSE PREVENTION ACT (FAPA). If you are the petitioner (the person who asked for the order), you can ask the court to renew it for 2 more years if you are afraid you may be abused by the respondent in the future. You do not have to show that new abuse has occurred. You do have to explain why you want the order renewed. Fill out the renewal forms and submit them to the court where you got your original restraining order. File your request with the court before the current order ends. Restraining orders last for 2 years from the day of the judge’s signature. To renew the current order, your papers must be filed before the end of that year. You may lose your chance to renew if you do not file before the date the current order ends. After you file your renewal forms, the judge will decide if it is reasonable for a person in your situation to be afraid of future abuse by the respondent if the restraining order is not renewed. Ask the court clerk how the court handles renewal requests. If your request is granted, make sure you get enough copies from the court to serve the respondent. The court will provide copies to you at no charge. www.FormsWorkflow.com