Restraining Orders

When you file your petition, the judge can issue a temporary order, which will last until your court hearing in five to 15 days. Or, if you file during non-business hours, the judge can issue an emergency order, which can last up to 72 hours.¹

A final protective order can last for up to one year but can be extended as many times as needed.

The judge can extend the order if, after a hearing, the judge believes that the abuser continues to:

• pose a threat to the safety of the elder, to people who live with the elder, or to members of the elder’s immediate family; or
• present a risk to the elder of financial exploitation.²

To read about the protections that a judge can include in a protective order, you can read Iowa Code § 235F.6 on our Selected Iowa Statutes page.

¹ Iowa Code §§ 235F.5(1), (2); 235F.7(1), (2)
² Iowa Code § 235F.6(5)