Find out about your rights, get answers to frequently asked legal questions and access forms
There are 12 resource(s) on TexasLawHelp
Protective Order Kit video intro
(Separate Website)
Before you download the Protective Order Kit (below), we encourage you to view the following brief video by Anita Perry, First Lady of Texas.
By: Texas First Lady Anita Perry
Protective Order Kit A protective order is a court order that can protect you from someone who has been violent or threatened to be violent. You can use this kit yourself to ask a court for a protective order. The kit contains information, step-by-step instructions, and court forms that you can use on your own.
Please note that these form can be filled out on screen and printed out with your information. The forms will not save your information. If you start to fill out the forms and are unable to finish, you will have to fill them out again.
If you need more help, please contact the Family Violence Legal Line: 800-374-HOPE (4673).
Or to find a legal aid program, click here. You can also ask your local district or county attorney’s office for help.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL: anyone who uses your computer can see what websites and pages you have visited. You cannot completely clear it. If you think this may happen, please use a safer computer, call your local shelter, or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY: 800-787-3224.
Domestic Violence and Battered Immigrant Women
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Battered Immigrant Women?
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children?
Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Children
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Marital Rape
What Is Marital Rape? Can a husband rape his wife?
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Myths and Facts About Domestic Violence
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
National Domestic Violence Hotline
(Separate Website)
Link to NDVH.
Battered Immigrant Women
(Separate Website)
Hotline numbers, questions and answers, and other information specifically for battered immigrant women from a variety of backgrounds.
By: Family Violence Prevention Fund & EndAbuse.org
Personal Safety Planning Information about creating a personal safety plan for victims of domestic violence.
By: Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
Violence Against Women Act
Overview of the Violence Against Women Act.
By: Political Asylum Project of Austin (PAPA)
Waiver of Electric and Telephone Service Deposit If you have been a victim of family violence, you may be able to receive a waiver of the deposit to help you establish electric and/or telephone service. In order to qualify, you must be able to establish that you have been a victim of family violence and have this letter filled out by one of the following: family violence center staff, treating medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, Office of the Attorney General, the local County or District Attorney's office, or your local legal aid office. Once the letter has been filled out, you must send the letter to the electric and/or telephone company you are applying for service with.
By: Texas Council on Family Violence
Waiver of Gas Service Deposit If you have been a victim of family violence, you may be able to receive a waiver of the deposit to help you establish gas service. In order to qualify, you must be able to establish that you have been a victim of family violence and have this letter filled out by family violence center staff, treating medical personnel, or law enforcement personnel. Once the letter has been filled out, you must deliver the signed original to the gas company you are applying for service with.
By: Texas Council on Family Violence
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
If you are in need of legal assistance and you are not low-income, please contact your local lawyer referral service or call the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Information Service, Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-800-252-9690 or 1-877-9TEXBAR.