Filed For A Restraining Order After My Ex Stalked Me—need Legal Advice On Next Steps

Hey everyone,

I’ve been dealing with a really unsettling situation and I’m hoping to get some legal advice on what I should do next. Here’s the breakdown:

I started dating this girl a few months ago, and after two weeks of dating, she brought up moving in with me. That should’ve been a huge red flag, but things escalated quickly. She stole my apartment key, made a copy, and started letting herself into my place, which freaked me out. I ended things with her, blocked her on all social media, and got my locks changed.

Unfortunately, that’s not where the story ends. Despite blocking her, she kept showing up around my apartment and places I go. I started feeling seriously uncomfortable and unsafe, so I decided to file for a restraining order. The process was actually relatively smooth, and I submitted the paperwork yesterday.

I guess my question is: What should I expect moving forward? How soon will this restraining order take effect, and if she violates it, what are my next steps? Also, what can I do in the meantime to make sure she doesn’t keep showing up around my apartment?

Any advice or experiences you can share would be appreciated. Thanks!