Skip to main content

e-Li: Electronic Library

Scope, Duration, and Enforceability of Protective Orders

The order is valid and enforceable in any county in Tennessee. T.C.A. § 36-3-606(e).  It may:

  1. Direct Respondent not to commit domestic abuse, stalk or sexually assault Petitioner or petitioner’s minor children;
  2. Prohibit Respondent from calling, e-mailing, writing, or communicating with Petitioner, directly or indirectly;
  3. Prohibit the Respondent from stalking the Petitioner, as defined in § 39-17-315;
  4. Give Petitioner possession of the residence and evict the Respondent;
  5. Require Respondent to provide suitable housing for Petitioner if respondent is the sole owner or lessee of the residence;
  6. Award temporary custody of or establish temporary visitation rights with their minor children;
  7. Award support to Petitioner if the parties are legally married and award child support for Respondent’s children;
  8. Require Respondent to get treatment or counseling for anger management or substance abuse;
  9. Place the care, custody, or control of any animal residing in the household in the care, custody or control of the Petitioner or in an appropriate animal foster situation;
  10. Direct the Respondent to immediately and temporarily vacate a residence shared with the petitioner, pending a hearing on the matter; or
  11. Direct the Respondent to pay the Petitioner all costs, expenses and fees pertaining to the Petitioner's breach of a lease or rental agreement for residential property if the Petitioner is a party to the lease or rental agreement and if the court finds that continuing to reside in the rented or leased premises may jeopardize the life, health and safety of the Petitioner or the Petitioner's children.

T.C.A. § 36-3-606(a).