Skill

Respect Legal Boundaries

Follow court orders and lawful restrictions exactly.

Before you use this with another personUse communication, repair, return, or contact only when it is lawful and the other person is willing. If a court order limits contact, location, or communication, follow it exactly. A coping or communication skill never creates permission to call, text, message, visit, follow, return, or use another person to pass a message.
What it is

Legal boundaries include court orders, protective orders, no-contact conditions, probation conditions, and other lawful restrictions.

How to do it
Know the exact conditions.
Follow them literally.
Do not go to a location the order forbids.
Do not rely on an invitation or informal permission from the other person.
Do not use children, friends, relatives, or anyone else to pass messages or avoid restrictions.
Remember that an apology, explanation, or check-in is still contact if contact is prohibited.
Ask your lawyer or another qualified legal professional if you do not understand the order.
Try It Now
Remember
A legal boundary is not a relationship negotiation.
Want to understand this more deeply?

Chapter 7: Respect Boundaries

Read the story and teaching behind this skill, then come back here when you want to practice it.

Read chapter

Related Skills