A temporary restraining order (TRO) is a court order requiring the parties to whom it is addressed not to engage in certain activity, or to continue to engage in certain activity, and is usually designed to maintain the current state of things (the status quo) until the court has the opportunity to hear a more complete presentation of the evidence—usually during an application for a temporary injunction that will remain in place while the lawsuit is pending.

In Michigan, a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is a legal measure used by courts to prevent immediate harm or to maintain the status quo until a more comprehensive hearing can be held. It is a short-term order, often granted without the presence of the party being restrained, to prevent actions that could cause irreparable damage or prejudice the case before the court. The TRO can be issued in various legal contexts, including family law, civil disputes, and business litigation. To obtain a TRO, the requesting party must file a motion along with a sworn affidavit detailing the need for immediate relief. The court will then consider whether there is a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of the case, whether the party seeking the TRO will suffer irreparable harm without it, whether the harm to the opposing party if the TRO is granted outweighs the harm to the applying party if it is not, and whether the TRO will serve the public interest. If the court grants a TRO, it typically sets a date for a hearing on a preliminary injunction, which is a more extended form of relief that can last through the duration of the case.