Emergency Restraining Order Help in Southern California — Available 24/7

When a restraining order can’t wait — you need protection today, you were just served and your hearing is days away, or a judge has ordered you to surrender your firearms — the next few hours matter. We are Southern California’s dedicated restraining order firm, and we answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We move at emergency speed for both the people seeking protection and the people fighting an order.

Call or text now: (888) 808-2179 · Answered 24/7 · Free consultation

Tell us what’s happening

I need protection right now. You’re in danger, being threatened or harassed, and you need an order fast. California has same-day and after-hours options, and we can help you move on them today. → Get a restraining order today · Emergency steps for petitioners

There’s an order against me. You were served, a temporary order was granted without warning, or you’ve been told to surrender firearms — and the deadline is close. Don’t wait for the hearing to start defending yourself. → I was just served · A TRO was granted without notice

Not sure which? Call (888) 808-2179 — we’ll triage it with you in minutes.

How fast can you get a restraining order in California?

Faster than most people think — California built the system for emergencies. There are three speeds, and the right one depends on your danger and timeline:

• Emergency Protective Order (EPO) — hours. When police respond to a dangerous situation, an officer can call an on-call judge — available 24/7, including nights and weekends — and get an EPO on the spot. It takes effect immediately and lasts up to about 5 court days / 7 calendar days (Cal. Fam. Code § 6250). It’s the bridge that protects you until you can get a longer order. [Attorney verify EPO duration + on-call process.]
• Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) — same day. You (or we, on your behalf) file a request at the courthouse, and a judge can grant a TRO that same day based on your paperwork, ex parte — without the other side present. It generally lasts until your hearing. → What is a TRO?
• “Permanent” order — at the hearing (~3 weeks). A judge decides whether to issue a longer order (up to five years, sometimes renewable) only after a contested hearing, usually set within about 21 days.

The takeaway: if you’re in danger, you do not have to wait weeks for protection. Call 911 for an EPO when it’s urgent, then move immediately on a TRO. We file emergency TRO requests on a same-day or next-day basis and prepare you for the hearing that follows. [Verify same-day/next-day ex parte filing capability before publishing.]

→ Full emergency process for petitioners · Emergency Protective Orders explained

“Can I get one today — tonight — on a weekend?”

Often, yes. EPOs are available around the clock through law enforcement. Courthouse TRO filings happen during court hours, but if it’s after hours or the weekend, an EPO can protect you in the meantime and we can have your TRO request ready to file the moment the court opens. Call us now and we’ll tell you exactly what’s possible tonight in your county. → Can I get a restraining order today?

Served, or facing a deadline? Start your defense now.

If there’s an order against you, the worst move is to wait for the hearing. The clock is already running, and a few early decisions can change the outcome.

• You were just served. A temporary order is in effect now — obey every term while we build your defense. The hearing is where this is decided. → I was just served — what to do
• A judge granted a TRO without notice (ex parte). You never got to respond — but you will at the hearing, and preparation starts today. → A TRO was granted against me
• You’ve been ordered to surrender firearms. Firearm-surrender deadlines are short and strict (Cal. Fam. Code § 6389), and non-compliance is its own crime. Comply on time, keep the receipt, and call us immediately. → Restraining orders and firearms

On a deadline? Call (888) 808-2179 now — same-day and after-hours.

Emergency coverage across Southern California

We handle restraining order emergencies from Ventura to San Diego, with deep coverage in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County — our core service area. Emergency orders route differently from county to county: family-law TROs are filed in the family courthouse, civil harassment TROs in the civil courthouse, and after-hours EPOs come through local law enforcement to an on-call judge. We know the local routing, and we can act in your court.

• Los Angeles County —  LA County restraining order help
• Orange County —  Orange County restraining order help
• Riverside County —  Riverside County restraining order help
• San Bernardino County —  San Bernardino County restraining order help
• Ventura County —  Ventura County restraining order help
• San Diego County —  San Diego County restraining order help

[Attorney verify per-county ex parte/TRO routing and after-hours EPO process before publishing.]

What “emergency” looks like when you call us

1. We answer — 24/7. A real person, day or night.
2. We triage fast. Are you in danger? Is there a hearing date or surrender deadline? What county? We figure out what has to happen in the next 24 hours.
3. We move at emergency speed. Same-day or next-day emergency (ex parte) TRO filings, urgent hearing preparation, and immediate guidance on compliance and evidence. [Verify scope.]
4. Free consultation. No obligation, and we explain fees clearly before you commit.

Call or text (888) 808-2179 — 24/7. Or → request a consultation online.

Emergency restraining order FAQ

How fast can I get a restraining order in California? An Emergency Protective Order can be issued within hours through law enforcement and an on-call judge, 24/7. A Temporary Restraining Order can often be granted the same day you file at the courthouse. A longer “permanent” order is decided at a hearing, usually within about three weeks.

Can I get a restraining order at night or on the weekend? Yes, through an Emergency Protective Order — police can reach an on-call judge any time, including nights and weekends. Courthouse TRO filings happen during court hours, but an EPO can protect you until then.

What’s the difference between an EPO and a TRO? An EPO (Emergency Protective Order) is requested by law enforcement for immediate, short-term protection (about 5–7 days). A TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) is requested by you at the courthouse and lasts until your hearing. Many cases use an EPO first, then a TRO.

My hearing is tomorrow — can a lawyer still help? Yes. Even on short notice, an attorney can help you prepare testimony and evidence, understand the legal standard, and present your case — or request more time when appropriate. Call now; do not wait.

I was served and ordered to give up my guns — what do I do? Comply with the surrender deadline exactly and keep your receipt; non-compliance is a separate crime. Then call us immediately to start your defense and protect your rights. → Restraining orders and firearms

Do you charge for the emergency consultation? No. The consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.