Kirsten Storms restraining order granted: Ex Brandon Barash cites mental health crisis, judge orders evaluation and supervised visitation
Actress Kirsten Storms, known for her role on General Hospital, was hit with an emergency restraining order in April 2026 filed by ex-husband Brandon Barash, who cited a mental health crisis prompting a judge to order evaluation and supervised visitation.
Key takeaways
- Emergency order granted: An emergency restraining order filed in December 2025 by Brandon Barash was granted in late April 2026, according to reporting from TMZ and Fox News.
- Judge ordered evaluation and supervision: Court filings reported that the judge required a mental health evaluation and limited Storms to supervised visitation while the case is reviewed (reported by Soap Opera Digest and TV Insider).
- Allegations of crisis and hospitalization: Barash’s filing cites delusions, hallucinations and a May 2025 psychiatric hold reportedly arranged with the help of his current wife (reported by Fox News and Us Weekly).
Court filings and what the judge ordered
What the filings say: Court documents obtained and reported by TMZ show Brandon Barash asked a judge in December 2025 to impose an emergency restraining order, citing concerns about Kirsten Storms’ stability and the safety of their 12-year-old daughter. In late April 2026, a judge granted the temporary order.
According to reporting, the order requires a mental health evaluation for Storms and restricts her to supervised visitation with the child while the court reviews the case (coverage includes Soap Opera Digest and TV Insider).
Allegations in Barash’s filing
Barash’s filing, as summarized by multiple outlets, lays out allegations spanning about 18 months. He alleges Storms told him in May 2025 that she was experiencing delusions and hallucinations and said she felt she should not have parenting time with their daughter. He also alleges that his current wife, Isabella Devoto, assisted in arranging a psychiatric hold and hospitalization in May 2025; Storms reportedly denied the hospitalization after release (reported by Fox News and Us Weekly).
“She was experiencing delusions and hallucinations,” the filings allege, along with reports of intense emotional outbursts, possible substance misuse, unstable housing and episodes of hearing voices.
Other claims in the paperwork include periods of unstable housing — couch-surfing or staying in hotels from September 2024 through June 2025 — allegedly because Storms believed people were following her and the child, followed by housing disputes after moving to Tennessee (reported by Fox News, TV Insider and Soap Hub).
Storms’ social posts and public safety concerns
Storms has posted on social media about incidents that align with some claims in the filings. Earlier in April 2026 she shared security camera footage she said showed someone entering her building at Legacy Cool Spring in Franklin, Tennessee, and asked police and management to cooperate so she could identify who entered while she was out of town. She also posted that attempts had been made to access her phone and iCloud accounts and later said she received an eviction notice after reporting the break-in (reported by Fox News and TMZ).
As of the latest reports, Storms has not publicly responded to the court filings themselves. Representatives for both Storms and Barash did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to reporting by Fox News.
Background: Storms’ health, career and recent moves
Kirsten Storms, 42, has played Maxie on General Hospital since 2005. She announced a hiatus from the show in 2025 and said she was moving from Los Angeles to Nashville with her daughter, citing health struggles including a brain aneurysm she described as frightening and distressing (reported by Fox News and TV Insider).
Brandon Barash, 46, is also a soap opera actor who has appeared on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives. He and Storms share one daughter, now 12. Reporting notes Barash once loaned Storms money to prevent a car repossession, a detail cited by Us Weekly.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Local viewers and families in the Inland Empire — where daytime-TV fandom is strong — may follow this closely. Reports of a public figure’s mental health crisis can prompt community concern and discussion about how families and children are supported when a parent faces severe health challenges.
Child safety and custody questions
The judge’s order for supervised visitation and a mental health evaluation highlights how courts balance parental rights and child safety. County child welfare and family courts address these matters with evaluations and, when appropriate, supervised visitation orders. For local help, residents can contact county resources below.
Mental health services and stigma
The case underscores the need for accessible crisis care, mobile crisis teams and follow-up support. Families concerned about a loved one showing signs of psychosis, severe anxiety or substance misuse should seek local crisis lines or behavioral health services.
Safety and privacy concerns
Storms’ claims of alleged break-ins and hacking echo wider concerns about personal security. Residents in multi-unit buildings should document incidents, report suspicious activity to police and building management, and secure accounts with updated passwords and two-factor authentication.
Practical steps for residents
- In an emergency, contact local emergency services or the county crisis line.
- For non-emergency support, reach out to county behavioral health services such as San Bernardino County Behavioral Health and the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services.
- Use national resources like the SAMHSA treatment locator for help finding services.
Sources and reporting
This story is based on court documents reported by TMZ and coverage from major outlets including Fox News, Us Weekly, TV Insider, Soap Hub, Soap Opera Digest, Daytime Confidential and additional TMZ reporting.
Primary reporting of the filings appears to have come from TMZ, which obtained the court paperwork.
