Imagine for a moment that your brother-in-law, father-in-law, or other family member is involved with a dangerous organization and has started making disturbing comments concerning your kids. If you begin to believe they pose a threat, you are entirely within your rights to petition the court for a protective order, not just for your children, but for yourself, too.
When people think about protective orders, they often assume they’re only for partners or spouses. But in reality, Texas law doesn’t limit protection to just those relationships. A Protective order can be issued against anyone, including family members.
Protective Orders Do Not Just Apply to Spouses
Protective orders exist to shield individuals from violence, abuse, or serious threats. The person causing harm doesn’t have to be your spouse or partner. Friends and family relationships—including in-laws—can qualify, depending on the situation.
For example, if your mother-in-law has shown up uninvited, made threats, or tried to take your kids without permission, that behavior would meet the legal threshold for a protective order.
Courts look at the nature of the threat, not just the respondent’s relationship to you.
What Can a Protective Order Do?
A judge can issue an order that clearly and specifically outlines what the respondent is permitted or prohibited from doing.
This might include:
- Barring contact with you, your children, or your relatives
- Prohibiting them from coming near your home, job, or child’s school
- Taking away their right to own or carry a firearm
If the person violates the protective order, law enforcement has the authority to step in.
Who Can File for a Protective Order?
To qualify, you must show that someone has either caused you harm or made threats severe enough that you fear for your safety or that of your family. If that person happens to be a family member, such as a father-in-law or sister-in-law, a protective order can still be granted. It also doesn’t matter if the person lives with you or not.
What matters is whether their actions cross the line into dangerous or threatening behavior.
If their actions do, they may need to immediately separate themselves from you and the rest of your family.
Please Call Christman | Daniell Attorneys for Your Legal Needs
Are you looking for civil litigation or family law services in Collin County? Christman | Daniell is your premier choice. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the legal landscape, our skilled team is dedicated to helping families navigate complex legal matters. Whether it’s divorce, child custody, or adoption, trust Christman | Daniell to provide compassionate and effective representation for all your family law needs throughout Collin County.
Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. The material on this website and in this or any blog article we publish is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The attorneys at Christman | Daniell Attorneys believe in tailoring legal advice and solutions to your own personal circumstances.
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