how much does it cost to hire a lawyer for restraining order

by Effie Kessler 3 min read

In the United States, the cost to get a restraining order will range from $100 to $400 depending on which state you live in. Initial consultations with lawyers may be priced at $25 to $50. There are situations, usually cases of stalking or domestic violence, wherein filing fees are actually waived. Lawyers usually charge $100 to $500 per hour for general services.

After the initial visit, expect to pay $90-$500 per hour for an attorney's time. Expect to pay for a minimum of five-10 hours of time when hiring an attorney for a restraining order hearing, which will cover both preparation and time in the courtroom. Five-10 hours of an attorney time can cost $450-$5,000.

Full Answer

Do I need an attorney for a restraining order?

Moral of the story – based on your facts, you may not need a restraining order of protection attorney/lawyer. Nevertheless, it is always best practice to speak with an experienced lawyer before blindly walking into an unknown legal process.

Do you have to pay to file a restraining order?

You will not be charged a fee for filing for a restraining order. However, the court will order the fee to be paid by the person who loses the case. In other words, if the judge grants you the restraining order, the defendant will have to pay the filing fee.

What is the average retainer fee for a lawyer?

What is the average retainer for a lawyer? The retainer fee varies from the complexity of the case and the lawyer’s value. But you can expect to pay a retainer fee of $3000 and $5000. How to calculate the retainer fee? You are multiplying the number of hours by your hourly rate to calculate the retainer fee.

Do you need a lawyer at a restraining order hearing?

Restraining orders are common in divorce and custody cases, if your situation revolves around these issues, a family attorney might be more helpful because they will be able to help with the other aspects of your case. If the restraining order is from a domestic violence or other type of criminal case, a criminal attorney would be more appropriate.

How do you get around a restraining order?

Typically, either the victim or the defendant can ask the court to lift the restraining order. This is usually completed by filing a motion with the court, such as a Motion to Modify Conditions of Pretrial Release or a Motion to Lift Restraining Order. This legal motion must usually identify the parties.

Do restraining orders cost money Canada?

A peace bond (legally referred to as an “810 recognizance”) is a protection order made under the Criminal Code of Canada and can protect you from anyone, including someone you have only dated. You call the police to ask for one. You do not need a lawyer to request a peace bond, and there is no fee involved.

What proof do you need for a restraining order in California?

Anyone seeking such an order must be prepared to present some evidence in addition to their own written statements and testimony in Court. This standard means that the Court must see photographs, text messages, e-mails or any other physical evidence that can support claims made by the Petitioner.

How much does it cost to file a restraining order in California?

Generally, you must pay a $395.00 fee to file the Request. If the harassment has included violence or threats of violence, however, there is no filing fee pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 527.6(p).

Do you need evidence for a restraining order?

The court may have regard to any evidence it may have heard during a criminal trial in determining whether a restraining order is required. However, further evidence may be required especially where the defendant has been acquitted (either after trial or following the offering of no evidence by the prosecution).

Does a restraining order go on your record?

Does a restraining order affect your record? Unless a restraining order is breached, it will not appear on your criminal record. However, it will be recorded both by the police and in court records, if you fall foul of the law in the future, a past restraining order can be used as evidence against you in court.

How hard is it to get a restraining order?

Therefore, to obtain one, you will need to report the individual to the police and take them to court for their crimes. It will only be when the judge believes there is a reasonable chance that the victim of the crime will continue to be harassed by the perpetrator that a restraining order will be granted.

What are the steps to get a restraining order in California?

Fill Out Your Court Forms and Prepare to File. Fill out your restraining order forms. ... File Your Court Forms With the Court. Once you have filled out all your forms, you have to file them with the court. ... "Serve" Your Papers on the Restrained Person. ... Get Ready and Go to Your Court Hearing.After the Court Hearing.

What happens at a restraining order hearing in California?

If the party who filed for the restraining order does not attend the hearing, the temporary restraining order will be terminated that day. At the hearing, the judge will hear testimony from both parties and possibly any witnesses.

How Do restraining orders work?

A restraining order is a type of court order, released by a judge, to stop someone inflicting harm on another person. These are generally issued at the end of a criminal hearing and often follow cases involving domestic violence, domestic abuse, harassment, stalking or sexual assault.

What is a civil harassment restraining order in California?

A civil harassment restraining order is a court order that helps protect people from violence, stalking, serious harassment, or threats of violence. You can ask for a civil harassment restraining order if: A person has abused (or threatened to abuse), sexually assaulted, stalked, or seriously harassed you, and.

How long does it take to get a temporary restraining order in California?

How long does it take to get a temporary restraining order in California? A temporary restraining order can be granted the day you take your forms to the court, but the process usually takes up to 1 business day. A court hearing may be held the day you filed to issue the TRO.

How much does a restraining order cost in Alberta?

There are no fees for filing for a restraining order, unless you are also asking the court for other remedies. For example, if you are applying for a restraining order and asking the respondent to pay you back money they owe you, usual filing fees apply. 1. Fill out the right court forms.

What happens if you break a no contact order in Canada?

If you breach (disobey) the conditions of any no contact order, you could be charged with a criminal offence and could go to jail. A no contact order is in place.

What happens if you break a restraining order in Canada?

A restraining order is made in family court. But breaking any of the conditions in the order is a criminal offence. If your partner breaks any of the conditions, he can be arrested by the police, charged, and held for a bail hearing.

How do I get a restraining order for harassment in Ontario?

Apply for a restraining orderStep 1: Find a family courthouse near you. Find a courthouse to file your application. ... Step 2: Fill out an application. ... Step 3: Serve the documents. ... Step 4: Confirm you will be in court on the date of the hearing. ... Step 5: Go to court to explain your case. ... Step 6: When a restraining order is made.

How much does it cost to get a restraining order?

In the United States, the cost to get a restraining order will range from $100 to $400 depending on which state you live in. Initial consultations with lawyers may be priced at $25 to $50. There are situations, usually cases of stalking or domestic violence, wherein filing fees are actually waived. Lawyers usually charge $100 to $500 per hour ...

What is a restraining order?

A restraining order, also known as a protective order or order of protection, is an order from the court intended to protect an individual. Usually, this court order will prohibit an abuser from approaching or contacting the abused/harassed specified individual. If the conditions of this order will not be met, legal consequences are applicable ...

Why are restraining orders imposed?

There are many reasons as to why restraining orders are imposed. It is important to point out that all of these reasons involve the issue of abuse or harassment. The more common reasons are the ones listed and discussed below. Domestic Violence – This type of violence involves violence or aggression in one’s own home.

How long does a temporary restraining order last?

However, if the abuser does not appear in court, the temporary restraining order will continue to be effective until such time the abuser is brought to court.

Can a minor file for a protective order?

Any person who was a victim or is currently experiencing either physical or emotional violence/harassment may file a restraining order against the specific individual who is responsible for the violence/harassment. Whether you are a minor, an adult or an elderly, you may be able to file for a protective order.

Is violence against a roommate considered domestic violence?

Moreover, in some U.S. states, violence against a roommate is also considered under domestic violence. Work Place Harassment – This involves physical harassment and/or emotional harassment experienced by workers in their own workplaces. Usually, subordinates are the ones who tend to experience this type of harassment.

Benjamin Peter Theule

You will likely be hard pressed to find an attorney here who will quote you a fee price without first knowing significantly more about your case.

David Philip Shapiro

Call some quality, locally experienced, defense attorney and ask them. The best attorney for your case may not always be the most/least expensive one out there.

Richard Forrest Gould-Saltman

It'll depend how long the hearing is and complicated the allegations are. DVPA hearings can run anywhere from ten minutes to several days.

Arnold William Gross

Contact a San Diego lawyer who handles DVRO cases. It depends on the lawyer, whether it is charged as a flat fee or hourly, and other factors. Most will provide a free consultation.

How to get a restraining order?

Inputs from a trained legal mind come in handy at every phase of obtaining a restraining order. Anyone who is seeking a restraining order has to start by filing the court forms. The court forms are meant to inform the judge, in clearest possible terms, what type of an order one needs and the reasons one needs it for. Since the types of order issued depends much on who it is sought against and on what grounds, it is important that the petitioner gets proper legal advice. Boilerplate instructions on how to fill a form are not enough. An attorney must veto the decisions from the very beginning so that the claim does not suffer a blow later.

Do you have to appear in court on the day of a hearing?

Finally, on the day of the hearing, both parties need to appear in court. It is always prudent to present through a lawyer since it removes the scope of a confrontation between the two parties. With both sides representing their side of the story, it will be incumbent upon the judge to decide whether the temporary order needs to be turned into a permanent one. Parties represented by a learned attorney who knows what points to raise to legally convince the judge. Thus, they always enjoy a competitive edge over the other party involved.

Can a victim file for a restraining order?

A victim of any age who has been the victim of any of the following acts can file for a restraining order: assault, burglary, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, sexual contact of a criminal nature, false imprisonment, harassment, homicide, kidnapping, lewdness, sexual assault or stalking.

Why do we need a restraining order?

In general, a restraining order can keep you and others who are in danger, such as your children, safe by requiring the person who poses a threat to you to refrain from being near you, and to stop contacting you, among other things. If you need a restraining order against someone in your life, here are ten good reasons that you should ask ...

What can an attorney do to help you?

Your attorney can help you to organize threatening messages, texts, photos of property damage, and any other evidence of threatening behavior and present it in a compelling manner to the court. During this difficult time in your life, it can be comforting to know that there is someone who is looking out for you.

Why is the party who is being abused afraid to ask the person who is abusing them to stop doing so?

They may also be afraid to seek help, for fear that they will be abused even more severely once it is discovered that they are receiving assistance in getting to a safer situation.

Can you get a custody order in California?

For example, you cannot get a Custody Order in conjunction with a Civil Harassment Order, but you can get one with a Domestic Violence Order.