(a) If an order of protection is in effect at the time either the petitioner or respondent files a complaint for divorce, the order of protection shall remain in effect until the court to which the divorce action is assigned:

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 36-3-603

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • court: means any court of record with jurisdiction over domestic relations matters or the general sessions criminal court. See Tennessee Code 36-3-601
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Petitioner: means the person alleging domestic abuse, stalking, sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual assault, or a human trafficking offense in a petition for an order for protection. See Tennessee Code 36-3-601
  • Respondent: means the person alleged to have abused, stalked or sexually assaulted another in a petition for an order for protection. See Tennessee Code 36-3-601
(1) Modifies the order;
(2) Dissolves the order; or
(3) Makes the order part of the divorce decree.
(b) If the court modifies the order or makes the order of protection part of the divorce decree, the court shall issue a separate order of protection.
(c) The clerk shall immediately forward a copy of any order of protection issued and any subsequent modifications to the petitioner, respondent, and the local law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction in the area where the petitioner resides in the manner provided by § 36-3-609(e).
(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a petitioner from requesting relief under this part in a divorce action.