How restraining orders affect divorce

Divorce can become more complicated when one spouse requests a restraining order due to domestic violence, threats, harassment, or safety concerns. In February 2026, the FBI released a report covering domestic and family violence-related crimes from 2020 through 2024. In fact, law enforcement reported more than 1.1 million domestic violence victims over those five years. In addition, nearly 75% of the victims were female.

When divorce restraining orders are issued, it affects who stays in the family home. This factor can also influence how spouses communicate and how temporary child custody and visitation arrangements, and even temporary financial support, are.

While it may affect other decisions made by the family court, on the contrary, it does not decide the final outcome of a divorce.

Let’s take a closer look at how restraining orders affect divorce, including child custody, property arrangements, communication, and the divorce process.

Why Orders and Divorce Overlap

A divorce is different from a protective order because of their various functions in courts. While a divorce terminates a marriage and separates the joint property between the ...