Keep a second copy with you until the defendant is served. The TRO will contain the date and time that you are scheduled to return to court, so that the order can be made permanent . If you do not have the order made permanent it will be vacated or set aside. Therefore, it will no longer protect you or your children. Service Service must be done by the sheriff or someone over 18 years of age.
Service is the official word for notifying the respondent that there is a court order in effect.
The respondent may choose to appear at the hearing and contest the entire restraining order or part of it. In this case, the judge will make the order permanent, and it will protect you just as if what you said was proven in court. You need to prepare carefully for a contested PRO hearing. They can give you more information about how to prepare and what to expect. By far the most important evidence is what you tell the judge.