Domestic Violence Protection Order

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A PREPARATION GUIDE — NOT THE OFFICIAL COURT FORM

Kentucky protective-order practice runs on official Court of Justice forms: a petitioner files
AOC-275.1 (Petition/Motion for Order of Protection), and the court issues its ruling on
AOC-275.3 (Order of Protection — used for a Domestic Violence Order). This template provides
the substantive legal content to help you prepare — but you must transfer your content to the
official form before filing. The official forms are available at
https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx.
Do not file this document directly with the court.

COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY

[NAME OF COUNTY] FAMILY COURT

(A Division of the [___] District Court)

Case No.: [____________]

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDER

(effective pursuant to Kentucky domestic‐violence statutes and court rules)

I. RECITALS & JURISDICTION

1.1 Petition & Hearing
The Court has reviewed the verified petition dated [PETITION DATE] and conducted a duly noticed hearing on [HEARING DATE] in accordance with Kentucky law governing domestic-violence proceedings.

1.2 Subject-Matter & Personal Jurisdiction
The Court finds it has subject-matter jurisdiction over this action and personal jurisdiction over the parties. Venue is proper in [COUNTY] County, Kentucky.

1.3 Findings of Domestic Violence & Necessity of Relief
By a preponderance of the evidence, the Court finds that Respondent has committed an act of domestic violence or abuse against Petitioner and/or the minor child(ren) identified herein and that issuance of protective relief is necessary to prevent future abuse.

1.4 Effective Date & Term
Under KRS 403.745(1), this Order becomes effective and binding on Respondent when Respondent is given notice of its existence and terms by a peace officer or the Court, or upon personal service, whichever is earlier. Pursuant to KRS 403.740, this Order shall remain in force until [EXPIRATION DATE] for a period fixed by the Court not to exceed three (3) years, and it may be reissued upon expiration for additional periods of up to three (3) years, unless sooner amended or dissolved by the Court.

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Order, capitalized terms have the meanings assigned below:

“Court” – The Family Court of [COUNTY] County, Kentucky.
“Petitioner” – The individual(s) identified above as the protected person(s).
“Respondent” – The individual identified above against whom protection is sought.
“Minor Child(ren)” – [FULL NAMES & DOBs] who are under 18 and in Petitioner’s custody.
“Protected Address(es)” – Any residence, school, place of employment, or other location where Petitioner or the Minor Child(ren) customarily reside, attend, or are present.
“Firearm” – Any weapon that will or is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.
“Law-Enforcement Agency” – The agency with primary jurisdiction over the location requiring enforcement (e.g., [COUNTY] Sheriff’s Office, [CITY] Police Department).

III. OPERATIVE PROVISIONS

3.1 No Contact
Respondent SHALL NOT initiate, facilitate, or engage in any direct or indirect contact with Petitioner or the Minor Child(ren), including but not limited to in-person, telephone, text, e-mail, social media, or third-party communications.

3.2 Stay-Away Requirement
Respondent SHALL maintain a minimum distance of [____] feet (a specified distance not to exceed five hundred (500) feet per KRS 403.740(1)(a)3.) from:
a. Petitioner;
b. Minor Child(ren);
c. Protected Address(es); and
d. Any temporary or permanent residence to which Petitioner relocates after entry of this Order.

3.3 Exclusion From Residence
Respondent is hereby excluded from the residence located at [STREET ADDRESS] notwithstanding any ownership or leasehold interest, and shall have no right to return except as specifically authorized in Section 3.4.

3.4 Controlled Property Retrieval
Respondent may, within [10] days of this Order, retrieve personal belongings only once, during daylight hours, and only when accompanied by a uniformed law-enforcement officer. Advance coordination with the [COUNTY] Sheriff is mandatory.

3.5 Firearms

a. Federal possession bar. While Respondent is subject to this Order (where the Order was issued after notice and a hearing, protects an intimate partner or child, and includes the required finding), federal law — 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) — makes it unlawful for Respondent to ship, transport, possess, or receive any firearm or ammunition. Violation is a federal felony.
b. Concealed-carry license. Respondent is not eligible to carry a concealed deadly weapon while subject to this Order; a Kentucky CCDW license is subject to denial or suspension on this ground under KRS 237.110.
c. Discretionary relinquishment. Kentucky law does not impose a mandatory firearm-surrender or inventory duty on DVO respondents. If, and only if, the Court has expressly ordered it as an "other action" the Court believes will assist in eliminating future abuse under KRS 403.740(1)(c), Respondent shall relinquish the firearms and ammunition identified below to [LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCY] on the following terms: [SPECIFY ITEMS, RECIPIENT, DEADLINE].
☐ The Court HAS ordered relinquishment on the terms above.
☐ The Court has NOT ordered relinquishment; only the federal possession bar in paragraph (a) applies.

3.6 Temporary Custody & Parenting Time
a. Sole temporary custody of the Minor Child(ren) is awarded to Petitioner.
b. Respondent shall have [no / supervised] parenting time as follows: [DETAILS OF SUPERVISION, LOCATION, DURATION].

3.7 Temporary Child Support
Pursuant to KRS 403.740(1)(e)3. (applying the criteria of KRS 403.211, 403.212, 403.2122, and 403.213), Respondent shall pay to Petitioner temporary child support in the amount of $[___] per [week / month], commencing [DATE], through the [COUNTY] Child Support Office.

3.7A Possession of Shared Domestic Animal
Pursuant to KRS 403.740(1)(e)4., possession of any shared domestic animal is awarded to Petitioner: [IDENTIFY ANIMAL(S), OR STRIKE IF INAPPLICABLE].

3.8 Mandatory Counseling
Respondent is ordered to enroll in and complete, at Respondent’s expense, a certified domestic-violence offender treatment program within [30] days and file proof of enrollment within [35] days.

3.9 Law-Enforcement Entry
Law-enforcement officers are authorized to enter any premises necessary to enforce this Order and protect the Petitioner.

3.10 Service & NCIC Entry
A copy of this Order shall be served on Respondent by [METHOD], and the Clerk shall promptly transmit the Order to appropriate law-enforcement authorities for entry into state and federal protective-order registries.

IV. COURT FINDINGS & DECLARATIONS

4.1 The Court finds Respondent’s acts constitute domestic violence or abuse.
4.2 Less restrictive alternatives are inadequate to ensure safety.
4.3 The relief granted herein is the least intrusive consistent with safety.

V. RESPONDENT OBLIGATIONS & PROHIBITIONS

5.1 Compliance Duty
Respondent SHALL strictly comply with all terms of this Order and cooperate with law-enforcement officers executing or monitoring compliance.

5.2 Notice of Address Change
Respondent SHALL file written notice of any change of residential address with the Clerk within [48] hours of such change.

5.3 Prohibition on Interference
Respondent SHALL NOT intimidate, coerce, threaten, or otherwise interfere with Petitioner’s participation in any court or law-enforcement proceeding related to this matter.

VI. ENFORCEMENT, VIOLATIONS & REMEDIES

6.1 Mandatory Arrest Authority
Pursuant to KRS 431.015(1)(c), a peace officer shall make an arrest for a violation of a protective order issued under KRS 403.715 to 403.785 where the officer has probable cause to believe Respondent, after service or notice of this Order, has violated any of its terms. The violation need not be committed in the officer's presence.

6.2 Contempt and Criminal Offense
Under KRS 403.763(1), an intentional violation of this Order after service or notice constitutes both contempt of court and a criminal offense; however, once a criminal proceeding or a contempt proceeding has been initiated, the other shall not be undertaken regardless of the outcome of the first. Under KRS 403.763(4)(b), a violation is a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to twelve (12) months' imprisonment and a fine of up to $500), unless Respondent has been convicted of two (2) or more previous violations of orders of protection under KRS 403.763(4)(a), 456.180(4)(a), 508.155, or 510.037 within the last five (5) years, in which case a third or subsequent violation that involves the use or attempted use of physical force, or a threat of physical harm, is a Class D felony. (Enhancement added by 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 75, eff. June 27, 2025.)

6.3 Contempt Proceedings
Consistent with the election rule in KRS 403.763(1), Petitioner may pursue a contempt proceeding specifying alleged violations. The Court may impose sanctions available for contempt, including incarceration, fines, or any other just relief. Separately, this Order may be reissued on expiration under KRS 403.740, and Petitioner may move to amend it under KRS 403.745(5).

6.4 Attorney’s Fees & Costs
Upon finding a willful violation, the Court may award reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party.

VII. RISK ALLOCATION

VIII. MODIFICATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

8.1 Governing Law
This Order shall be governed, construed, and enforced exclusively under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

8.2 Exclusive Forum
The Family Court of [COUNTY] County retains exclusive jurisdiction over all matters arising from or related to this Order.

8.3 Modification
Either party may request modification or dissolution of this Order by written motion, served on the opposing party, demonstrating a material change in circumstances.

8.4 No Arbitration or Jury Trial
Given the equitable and injunctive nature of this proceeding, arbitration is unavailable and no right to jury trial exists.

8.5 Preservation of Injunctive Relief
Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the Court from granting additional injunctive relief as justice requires.

IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Severability
If any provision of this Order is determined unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force to the maximum extent permitted by law.

9.2 Integration
This written Order constitutes the entire protective order of the Court. Any prior oral or written directives are merged herein.

9.3 Copies & Electronic Signatures
Certified and electronic copies of this Order shall be deemed originals for all enforcement purposes.

X. EXECUTION & NOTICE

ENTERED this ___ day of __________, 20___, at ______ a.m./p.m.

_____________________________________
[JUDGE NAME], JUDGE
FAMILY COURT, [COUNTY] COUNTY, KENTUCKY

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RESPONDENT

I, [RESPONDENT NAME], have received a copy of this Order, understand its terms, and acknowledge that violation of its provisions may result in my arrest and prosecution.

_____________________________________ Date: ____________
RESPONDENT (Signature)

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

On ____________, 20___, I personally served a true copy of this Order on Respondent at [ADDRESS] by [METHOD].

_____________________________________
[OFFICER NAME], [BADGE NO.]
[LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCY]

Sources and References

• KRS 403.720 — Definitions for KRS 403.715 to 403.785 (Kentucky Legislature): https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx (Chapter 403)
• KRS 403.740 — Domestic violence order; restrictions; temporary child support; expiration and reissuance (three-year maximum term; 500-foot approach cap): https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=55607
• KRS 403.745 — Duration; effective and binding on notice/service; prohibited costs; mutual orders; amendment; expungement: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=44755
• KRS 403.763 — Violation of order of protection constitutes contempt of court and criminal offense (Class A misdemeanor / Class D felony enhancement; amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 75, eff. June 27, 2025): https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=56237
• KRS 431.015(1)(c) — Peace officer shall arrest for violations of protective orders issued under KRS 403.715 to 403.785 (amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 123, eff. June 27, 2025): https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=56440
• KRS 237.110 — CCDW-license ineligibility while subject to a domestic violence order or emergency protective order: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=56567
• 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8) — Federal firearm possession prohibition while subject to a qualifying protective order.
• 18 U.S.C. § 2265 — Full faith and credit for protective orders.
• Firearm-surrender confirmation — Giffords Law Center, "Domestic Violence Gun Laws in Kentucky" (Kentucky requires no firearm surrender by, and imposes no state possession ban on, DVO respondents): https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/domestic-violence-and-firearms-in-kentucky/
• Official forms — Kentucky Court of Justice: AOC-275.1 (Petition/Motion for Order of Protection) and AOC-275.3 (Order of Protection): https://www.kycourts.gov/Legal-Forms/Pages/default.aspx