What Happens After You File an Injunction in Florida?

Quick answer: If you’re wondering what happens after you file an injunction in Florida, the judge reviews your petition first, may enter a temporary order in urgent situations,
and then schedules a final hearing (often within about two weeks) where you must prove your case with clear facts and organized evidence.

Florida law uses the word injunction, but many people search “restraining order.” This page uses both terms so you can find clear answers faster.

Filing a restraining order (injunction) can feel overwhelming because the timeline moves quickly and the court makes early decisions based on paperwork. This guide explains what happens next and how to stay prepared while your case moves toward a hearing. For the big-picture overview, start here: Restraining Orders & Injunctions in Florida.

Step 1: The judge reviews your petition first

After you file, the judge typically reviews your petition without the respondent present. Courts often call this an ex parte review.
In other words, the judge asks, “Do these written facts meet the legal requirements for this type of injunction?” Florida Courts publishes an overview of the petitioner process here:
Florida Courts: Overview for Petitioners.

Step 2: The court may enter a temporary injunction (or decline temporary relief)

If the petition shows a sufficient legal basis and urgent safety concerns, the court may enter a temporary injunction.
That temporary order can restrict contact, communication, and proximity. In contrast, when the petition does not show an immediate basis for temporary relief, the judge may deny temporary relief  or require more specificity before moving forward (depending on the facts and the injunction category). Don’t panic if this happens. You still have a shot at winning.

Temporary orders can create immediate, real-world consequences

Read your paperwork carefully and follow every term exactly. If you want to understand how the court divides cases into categories, review: the types of Florida injunctions.
Category choice matters because different statutes and proof standards apply.

Step 3: Law enforcement serves the respondent

Next, law enforcement typically serves the respondent with the petition and any temporary order. Service matters because it starts enforceability in most cases.
As a result, accurate addresses and reliable contact information can prevent delays.

Step 4: The court schedules a final hearing (and preparation becomes the game)

The final hearing is where the judge decides whether to enter a final injunction, deny the request, or enter more limited relief.
Many cases move quickly, so you should prepare as soon as you file. For a plain-English walkthrough of the hearing, see:
What can I expect at the final hearing?

What you should do right away after filing

• Build a timeline while your memory is fresh (dates and sequences matter).
• Preserve evidence (texts, emails, screenshots, photos, call logs, and witness names).
• Organize exhibits so you can present them clearly and quickly.
• Plan for safety and use local resources if you feel at risk.

Step 5: Match your facts to the correct statute

Florida has multiple injunction categories, and each one has different legal elements. For example, domestic violence injunctions fall under
Fla. Stat. § 741.30.
Repeat violence/dating violence / sexual violence injunctions fall under
Fla. Stat. § 784.046.
When you file under the wrong category (or leave out a required element), the court often denies the request or limits relief.

How Fighter Law helps after you file

Injunction cases move fast, and the hearing record can follow you for a long time. Fighter Law helps petitioners and respondents organize evidence,
prepare testimony, and present a clear timeline that fits the statute. If you need defense help, start here:
How to fight a restraining order in Florida.
If you want a step-by-step filing overview, start here:
How to get a restraining order in Florida.

For a bigger overview of Florida restraining orders and injunctions, visit our Restraining Orders & Injunctions hub.