Tennessee EQUITY — Ex Parte Order of Protection is a court order put in place to protect a person from another person who is a threat to their safety. It may be issued when a person is in immediate danger of domestic abuse, stalking, or other forms of physical harm. This order is issued without the alleged abuser being present, hence the term “ex parte”. The order may provide protection for the victim, such as forcing the abuser to stay away from the victim, their residence, or their workplace. It may also include other provisions, such as prohibiting the abuser from contacting the victim or their family members. There are two types of Tennessee EQUITY — Ex Parte Order of Protection: Temporary and Permanent. A Temporary Order of Protection is valid for up to 15 days and is issued until a hearing is held to determine if a Permanent Order of Protection is necessary. A Permanent Order of Protection is valid for up to one year and can be extended if necessary.