Brandon Barash Granted Emergency Restraining Order Against Kirsten Storms Amid Mental Health Concerns, Court Limits Visitation
Brandon Barash obtained an emergency restraining order against ex-wife Kirsten Storms in Nashville, citing concerns about her mental health, alleged delusions and possible substance use; the order restricts Storms to supervised visitation while the court prepares a review.
Key takeaways
- Emergency order granted: Brandon Barash secured a temporary restraining order that limits Kirsten Storms to supervised visitation with their 12-year-old daughter. (Sources: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, TMZ)
- Allegations in filing: Barash’s emergency petition details episodes of delusions, hallucinations, hospitalizations and alleged substance use that he says jeopardize the child’s safety. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
- Court review imminent: A judge is scheduled to review the emergency order this week to decide whether to extend, modify or lift the temporary restrictions. (Sources: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest)
Main content
Key information
An emergency restraining order was granted to Brandon Barash after an initial filing made in December 2025. The order restricts Kirsten Storms to supervised visitation with their 12-year-old daughter while the court considers Barash’s request for further measures, including a formal mental health evaluation. (Sources: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, TMZ)
Background: their relationship and recent history
Barash, 46, and Storms, 42, were married from 2013 to 2016 and share one daughter, now 12. Storms has portrayed Maxie on ABC’s General Hospital since 2005. Earlier this year she announced a hiatus from the soap to relocate from Los Angeles to Nashville, citing health struggles as a factor in her move. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
What the court filing alleges
Barash’s emergency filing outlines multiple incidents and behaviors he and others say raised alarm about Storms’ parenting capacity and the child’s safety. The filing includes the following allegations:
- Delusions and hallucinations: Barash states that in May 2025 Storms contacted him saying she was “experiencing delusions and hallucinations” and believed she should not have their daughter during her parenting time; he says this led to hospitalization and a psychiatric hold, after which she allegedly acted as if nothing had occurred. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
- Hospitalization assistance: The documents name Barash’s current wife, Isabella Devoto, as having helped Storms get hospitalized and placed on a psychiatric hold during that episode. (Source: Us Magazine)
- Housing instability and safety fears: The filing alleges Storms spent months between September 2024 and June 2025 couch-surfing or staying in hotels because she believed people were following her and their child; Barash says she later moved to an apartment in Tennessee and reported break-ins and tampering with her vehicle. (Sources: TMZ, Us Magazine)
- Security footage and eviction claim: Storms shared security camera footage on social media this month she said showed someone entering her apartment; she also posted that the building left an eviction notice on her door after police received a report and leasing staff did not respond. Those posts are cited in media reports. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
- Reports of substance use and repeated episodes: The filing cites a friend of Storms who reportedly described repeated “meltdowns,” triggers, hearing voices and a belief that Storms was abusing Adderall and possibly other substances. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
Legal status and what it means for custody
The emergency restraining order is a temporary family-court measure that currently restricts Storms to supervised visitation. Barash has asked the court to order a formal mental health evaluation; the judge who issued the emergency order is scheduled to review it this week to determine whether to extend, modify or lift the restrictions. Family-court procedures and medical privacy rules would govern any court-ordered evaluation. (Sources: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, TMZ)
Responses and missing statements
At the time of reporting, representatives for Storms and Barash had not issued public comments through spokespeople in response to media inquiries. The public record currently relies heavily on the court filings and Storms’ own social-media posts. (Sources: TMZ, Us Magazine)
Reporting standards and what is alleged vs. proven
The court filings summarized by outlets reflect allegations made by Barash in a family-court context. An emergency restraining order is a temporary legal step and does not equate to a criminal finding. The judge’s upcoming review will clarify whether temporary restrictions remain, are changed, or are lifted; corroboration through evidence, testimony or medical evaluations would be required for longer-term orders. (Sources: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, TMZ)
Timeline of public posts and events
- September 2024–June 2025: Barash alleges Storms was moving between friends’ homes and hotels because she feared being followed. (Source: TMZ)
- May 2025: Storms allegedly reported delusions and hallucinations and was hospitalized and placed on a psychiatric hold. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
- November 2025: Barash says Storms reported break-ins and tampering with her car. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
- December 2025: Barash filed for an emergency restraining order. (Sources: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest)
- April 2026: A judge granted the emergency restraining order; Storms posted security footage and an eviction claim on social media. (Sources: Us Magazine, TMZ)
Why this matters: child safety, mental health and public figures
The case raises difficult questions about balancing parental rights, child safety and a parent’s mental-health status, particularly when a parent is a public figure. Family courts can use emergency orders to protect children while investigations or evaluations proceed. Experts caution that allegations in filings should be treated as claims until corroborated through admissible evidence or medical evaluation. (Context: Us Magazine, Soap Opera Digest)
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
Local legal perspective: Nevada family courts follow procedures similar to other states for emergency protective orders and custody questions. If custody is modified while a child resides in Las Vegas, judges would weigh safety, fitness and stability. Nevada courts can order mental health evaluations and supervised visitation when concerns for a child’s welfare are documented.
Impact on local families and services: The situation underscores the strain when mental-health crises intersect with custody. In Las Vegas, parents may turn to community mental-health resources, child protective services or the courts; local clinics, hotlines and behavioral-health providers are primary points of contact.
Media and privacy considerations: Public figures in entertainment and hospitality can see personal health struggles become public quickly. Emergency protective orders and custody disputes are part of a legal process that prioritizes the child’s immediate safety while further investigation proceeds.
Practical advice for parents in Las Vegas: Nevada law provides mechanisms to report child-safety concerns to child-welfare agencies and seek emergency court orders. Legal aid organizations in Las Vegas can offer guidance to parents who cannot afford private counsel.
Source links for this report
Reporting note: This article is based on court documents and reporting by the outlets above. The claims summarized here are drawn from filings and public social-media posts described in those reports. An upcoming court review will clarify whether the temporary emergency order will be extended or changed; updates will follow as court records and official statements become available.
