455.523. Full order of protection — relief available.
Outlines what full protection orders can include to keep victims safe
This law explains what a judge can include in a full order of protection to protect someone from domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault—including rules about custody, housing, and even pets or phone service.
1. A full protection order under §§455.500 to 455.538 can include terms needed to keep the victim safe, such as:
- Stopping the respondent from committing or threatening abuse, assault, or stalking
- Keeping the respondent out of the victim’s home, unless the court says otherwise
- Preventing the respondent from contacting the victim in any way, unless the court allows it
2. After a full hearing, the court can also:
- Give custody of a child (if the court has jurisdiction and no custody order exists)
- Set visitation rights
- Order child support based on Missouri law and court rules
- Order spousal support (maintenance) if the parties are married
- Make the respondent pay rent or mortgage for the victim’s home if they are responsible for support
- Require the respondent to attend court-approved counseling or substance abuse programs
- Make the respondent pay for their treatment and for the victim’s related treatment costs
- Make the respondent pay for shelter services for the victim
- Transfer the phone account (wireless service) for minor children to the victim, using the process in §455.050.9
- Give the victim temporary possession and care of pets and cover vet bills if the pet was harmed
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri order of protection defense lawyer.
