Mo. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 455
Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 455.020 (2026)

Relief may be sought

✓ current as of May 2026
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  455.020.  Relief may be sought — order of protection effective, where. — 1.  Any person who has been subject to domestic violence by a present or former family or household member, or who has been the victim of stalking or sexual assault, may seek relief under sections 455.010 to 455.085 by filing a verified petition alleging such domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault by the respondent.

  2.  A person's right to relief under sections 455.010 to 455.085 shall not be affected by the person leaving the residence or household to avoid domestic violence.

  3.  Any protection order issued pursuant to sections 455.010 to 455.085 shall be effective throughout the state in all cities and counties.

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(L. 1980 S.B. 524 § 3, A.L. 1986 S.B. 450, A.L. 1989 S.B. 420, A.L. 1993 H.B. 476 & 194, A.L. 2011 S.B. 320, A.L. 2013 H.B. 215, A.L. 2015 S.B. 321 merged with S.B. 341)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 45 cases (7 in the last 5 years), 1982–2025 · leading case: A.S. v. Decker, 318 S.W.3d 751 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010).
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A.S. v. Decker, 318 S.W.3d 751 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 10× “On August 27, 2009, the trial court, without objection, joined both actions for purposes of trial.”
Washington v. Blackburn, 286 S.W.3d 818 (Mo. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 3× “Blackburn, pursuant to section 455.020 RSMo (2000). After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court determined that appellant had not proved the allegation of abuse, and denied appellant’s request for a full order of protection in a written judgment.”
Glover v. Michaud, 222 S.W.3d 347 (Mo. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 4× “” § 455.020 RSMo (2000). Section 455.010(5) defines family or household member to include: spouses, former spouses, adults related by blood or marriage, adults who are presently residing together or have resided together in the past, an adult who is or has been in a continuing…”
Dennis v. Henley, 314 S.W.3d 786 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 4× “” § 455.020 RSMo (2000). Since Dennis and Henley do not fall within any of the various definitions of what constitutes a family or household member, Dennis could only seek an order of protection based upon an allegation of stalking.”
K.M.C. v. M.W.M., 518 S.W.3d 273 (Mo. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “Section 455.020. Section 455.020, titled “Relief may be sought— order of protection effective, where,” provides in pertinent part: 1.”
Overstreet v. Kixmiller, 120 S.W.3d 257 (Mo. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 3× “Pursuant to section 455.020 RSMo (2000) 2 , any adult who has been the victim of stalking may file a petition for protection alleging such stalking.”
State Ex Rel. Williams v. Marsh, 626 S.W.2d 223 (Mo. 1982). · cites it 2× “Sections 455.020, 455.025, RSMo. See also Order, Supreme Court of Missouri, en banc, August 8, 1980.”
L.M.D. v. D.W.D., 540 S.W.3d 472 (Mo. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 6× “filed a petition for an ex parte order of protection in Vernon County Circuit Court under section 455.020, which was granted. A hearing regarding a Full Order of Protection was held on June 16, 2017.”
Wallace v. Van Pelt, 969 S.W.2d 380 (Mo. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “020 provides: Any adult who has been subject to abuse by a present or former adult family or household member, or who has been the victim of stalking, may seek relief under sections 455.010 to 455.085 by filing a verified petition alleging such abuse or stalking by the…”
McGrath v. Bowen, 192 S.W.3d 515 (Mo. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 2× “The trial court entered an order of protection pursuant to section 455.020. That section provides that any adult who has been the victim of stalking may file a petition for protection alleging such stalking.”
Washington v. Zinn, 286 S.W.3d 828 (Mo. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 3× “Washington, filed a petition for an Order of Protection against respondent, Barnard Zinn, pursuant to section 455.020 RSMo (2000). After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court determined that appellant had not proved the allegation of abuse and denied appellant’s request for a…”
Skovira v. Talley, 369 S.W.3d 780 (Mo. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Discussion and Decision “Any adult who has been subject to abuse by a present or former adult family or household member, or who has been the victim of stalking, may seek relief .”
Show all 45 citing cases →
— Mo. Rev. Stat. § 455.020(1) — 3 cases
Leaverton v. Lasica, 101 S.W.3d 908 (Mo. Ct. App. 2003).
B.L.M. v. D.L.O. (Mo. Ct. App. 2022).
J.W.M. v. D.L.O. (Mo. Ct. App. 2022).
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