Franklin Restraining Order Lawyer

Trusted Restraining Order Attorney in Franklin, TN

When an Order of Protection Turns Your Life Upside Down in Franklin

An Order of Protection in Williamson County moves fast—and the consequences are immediate. Whether you need emergency legal protection to stay safe, or you were just served with an order that threatens your housing, parental rights, and reputation, you are facing a high-stakes legal process with very little time to prepare.

Since 1985, Story & Abernathy, PLLP has represented Franklin clients on both sides of restraining order proceedings. We know how local judges evaluate emergency ex parte petitions, how temporary orders impact broader family law matters, and how to present a clear, effective case at your final hearing.

Whether you are seeking safety or defending your rights, you do not have to navigate the court system alone. Contact our office today to discuss your situation and determine your next legal steps.

The Order Of Protection Matters We Handle For Franklin Families

Some clients need protection now. Others were just served with a petition and need to respond fast. As a Franklin restraining order lawyer team, we represent people on both sides of a Williamson County case, including:

• Filing for a new order of protection: based on domestic abuse, stalking, or sexual assault.
• Defending against a petition: when a spouse, partner, or family member has filed against you.
• Responding to an ex parte order: when a temporary order already restricts where you can go or live.
• Protecting parenting time and firearm rights: while a case is pending.
• Extending, modifying, or dissolving an order: after the original order is already in place.

What An Order Of Protection Can Cost You In Williamson County

An order of protection is not just paperwork. Under Tennessee’s order of protection law, Tenn. Code Ann. § 36-3-606 and § 36-3-625, a judge can order someone out of their own home, limit contact with their children, and take away their right to own a firearm. This can happen within hours, before the other side has said a single word in court.

If you are the one asking for protection, that same speed can work for you, moving you and your children somewhere safe on the same day you file.

If you are the one who was served, the stakes are just as real. A final order on your record can affect a background check, a custody case, a security clearance, or a job application years from now. An experienced Franklin Family Lawyer can help you understand your options and prepare for the hearing. What happens if you skip the hearing entirely? The order can become final without you ever telling your side of the story.

How These Cases Move Through The Williamson County Judicial Center

Restraining order and order of protection petitions in Williamson County are filed and heard at the Williamson County Judicial Center, 135 4th Avenue South in Franklin. A judge can grant a temporary, or ex parte, order the same day a petition is filed, based on one side’s sworn statement alone. Tennessee law then requires a full hearing, where both sides can testify, typically set within about 15 days of the respondent being served with that temporary order.

Violating an order of protection in Tennessee is not just a civil problem. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-113, a knowing violation is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Each violation counts as its own charge, and an officer can arrest without a warrant. This information reflects Tennessee law as of August 2026 and is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.

We appear in this courthouse regularly, and we use that familiarity to keep your case moving instead of stalling in paperwork.

FAQs About Franklin, TN Restraining Order Laws

What happens if I miss my order of protection hearing in Williamson County?

The judge can grant the order without ever hearing your side. Undoing that afterward means asking for a modification, a much harder position than showing up prepared the first time.

Can I still see my kids while an order of protection is active?

It depends on the exact language of your order. Some allow supervised or scheduled contact, and others cut off contact completely until a judge changes it. We review your order line by line with you.

Will an order of protection show up on a background check?

A final order can appear on background checks used by employers, landlords, and licensing boards, even though the case is civil rather than criminal. That is why fighting the initial petition matters.

What is the difference between a temporary order and a full order of protection?

A temporary, or ex parte, order is granted the same day based on one sworn statement. A full order comes only after a hearing where both sides testify, and it can last up to 1 year.

What happens if I violate an order of protection in Tennessee?

A knowing violation is a Class A misdemeanor under Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-113, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Police can arrest you without a warrant.

Can I get an order of protection if I was never married to the other person?

Yes. Tennessee law covers current or former spouses, but also people who live together, who date or dated, or who are related by blood or marriage. You do not need to have been married to qualify.

How long does an order of protection last in Tennessee?

A first order typically lasts up to 1 year, and a court can extend it if there is reason to do so. Every order is different, so we review your specific order’s expiration date with you directly.

What court in Williamson County handles order of protection cases?

Petitions are filed and heard at the Williamson County Judicial Center at 135 4th Avenue South in Franklin, through the Circuit and General Sessions Court Clerk’s office. We appear in this courthouse regularly and know its docket and filing process.

How much does it cost to hire a restraining order lawyer in Franklin?

Costs vary depending on whether you are petitioning, defending, or handling a protective order alongside a related divorce or custody case. Contact us for a consultation so we can give you a straightforward answer based on your specific situation.

If your situation does not fit neatly into one of these answers, tell us what is happening and we will walk through your specific order together.

Talk To A Franklin Restraining Order Lawyer Before Your Court Date

If you have already been served, your hearing date is likely already on the calendar, and that clock does not stop while you decide what to do next. If you need protection now, the same urgency runs in reverse. Contact Story & Abernathy, PLLP today to schedule a case review, and let’s get in front of your Williamson County hearing date instead of reacting to it at the last minute.