How to Get a Protection From Abuse Order in Maine
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Maine · Last updated September 17, 2026
In Maine, a Protection From Abuse order (often called a PFA) is a civil court order from the District Court that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you. You can seek one under Maine's protection from abuse law (19-A M.R.S. sections 4101 and following, recently renumbered from the former 4001 series) when a family or household member, a current or former dating partner, or in some cases another person has abused, threatened, stalked, or assaulted you. You start by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (form PA-001) in the District Court where you or the other person lives. There is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001). If you show good cause, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without the other person present, and that temporary order stays in effect pending your hearing (19-A M.R.S. section 4108). The court schedules that hearing within 21 days of the filing of your complaint (19-A M.R.S. section 4109). At the hearing, if the judge finds abuse, a final protection order can issue for a fixed period not to exceed two years, and you can move to extend it before it expires (19-A M.R.S. sections 4110 and 4111). If you are in immediate danger, call 911; the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
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How do I get a Protection From Abuse order in Maine?
File a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (form PA-001) in the District Court where you or the other person lives. There is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse in Maine. If you show good cause, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day, and a hearing is set within 21 days.
How long does it take to get a Protection From Abuse order in Maine?
A judge can issue a temporary Protection From Abuse order the same day you file, without the other person present, if you show good cause such as an immediate and present danger of abuse (19-A M.R.S. section 4108). The court then schedules a full hearing within 21 days of your filing (19-A M.R.S. section 4109).
How long does a Protection From Abuse order last in Maine?
A temporary order stays in effect until your hearing, which the court holds within 21 days of filing. After the hearing, if the judge finds abuse, a final Protection From Abuse order can last for a fixed period not to exceed two years (19-A M.R.S. section 4110). You can move to extend it before it expires.
Which court handles Protection From Abuse orders in Maine?
You file in the District Court, in the division where you live or where the person you seek protection from lives (19-A M.R.S. section 4104). Complaint forms are available from any District Court clerk's office and on the Maine Judicial Branch website, and there is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse.
Maine Protection From Abuse law at a glance
In Maine, a Protection From Abuse order (PFA) is a civil court order from the District Court that directs an abuser to stop the abuse and stay away from you, issued under Maine's protection from abuse law (19-A M.R.S. sections 4101 and following). You ask for one by filing a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (form PA-001), and there is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001). If you show good cause, such as an immediate and present danger of abuse, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day, and it stays in effect pending your hearing (19-A M.R.S. section 4108). The court holds that hearing within 21 days of filing (19-A M.R.S. section 4109). A final order can last for a fixed period not to exceed two years (19-A M.R.S. section 4110).
Getting a Maine Protection From Abuse order after threats from an ex-partner
In Maine, a Protection From Abuse order from the District Court can order an abuser to have no contact with you for up to two years. Suppose your former partner has been showing up at your home and sending threatening messages. You complete a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001) and file it in the District Court at no cost. That day, a judge reviews your statement and, finding good cause, signs a temporary order that stays in effect until your hearing (19-A M.R.S. section 4108). Law enforcement serves your ex, and the court sets a hearing within 21 days (19-A M.R.S. section 4109). At the hearing you show the messages and testify. The judge issues a final order for two years directing no contact (19-A M.R.S. section 4110). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
19-A M.R.S. 4104 (commencement in District Court)
Provides that proceedings for protection from abuse must be filed, heard and determined in the District Court of the division where either party resides, and allows a Superior Court justice to act on a temporary order if no District Court judge is available.
19-A M.R.S. 4108 (temporary ex parte orders)
Authorizes the court to enter temporary orders on good cause shown in an ex parte proceeding, where an immediate and present danger of abuse constitutes good cause, and provides that a temporary order remains in effect pending a hearing under section 4109.
19-A M.R.S. 4109 (hearing within 21 days)
Provides that within 21 days of the filing of a complaint, a hearing must be held at which the plaintiff must prove the allegation of abuse or conduct specified in section 4103 by a preponderance of the evidence.
19-A M.R.S. 4110 (final order, not to exceed 2 years)
Provides that a final protection order issued under this chapter must be for a fixed period not to exceed 2 years, unless extended or reinstated by the court pursuant to section 4111.
Regional Variances
Maine Protection From Abuse rules at a glance
Order name
Protection From Abuse order (PFA), issued under Maine's protection from abuse law (19-A M.R.S. sections 4101 and following). A separate Protection From Harassment order (PFH) applies to people who are not family or household members.
Where to file
The District Court, in the division where you live or where the person you seek protection from lives (19-A M.R.S. section 4104). There is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001).
Emergency and temporary orders
A judge can issue a temporary order in an ex parte proceeding, on good cause such as an immediate and present danger of abuse, that stays in effect pending the hearing (19-A M.R.S. section 4108). The hearing is held within 21 days of filing (19-A M.R.S. section 4109).
Final order duration
After a hearing, a final protection order can last for a fixed period not to exceed two years, and it can be extended for an additional fixed period before it expires (19-A M.R.S. sections 4110 and 4111).
Main form
Form PA-001, Complaint for Protection from Abuse, filed with PA-005 (Protection Order Service Information). Use PA-013 to move to extend an order. Forms are free through the Maine Judicial Branch.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Complete the Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001)
As soon as possible after the abuse days after startingFill out form PA-001 describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and prepare the Protection Order Service Information (PA-005). Use the free Maine Judicial Branch forms and any District Court clerk's office if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.
File your complaint with the District Court
Same day you finish the forms days after startingFile the PA-001 with the District Court clerk in the division where you live or where the other person lives (19-A M.R.S. section 4104). There is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse. Ask the clerk when a judge will review your temporary order.
Get and carry the temporary order
Same day the judge signs it days after startingIf the judge grants a temporary order (19-A M.R.S. section 4108), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing. Note your hearing date, which the court sets within 21 days of filing.
Confirm service on the defendant
Before the hearing days after startingThe court arranges for law enforcement to serve the defendant with your complaint, any temporary order, and the hearing notice. Confirm service happened, since it is required before the court can issue a final order at the hearing.
Attend the hearing with your evidence
Within 21 days of filing days after startingGo to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify, and you must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (19-A M.R.S. section 4109). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire.
Track the expiration and move to extend if needed
Before the order expires (up to 2 years out) days after startingA final order can last for a fixed period not to exceed two years (19-A M.R.S. section 4110). Calendar the expiration date and file a Motion to Extend Order for Protection (PA-013) before it ends, so the court can hold a hearing on your request.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete the Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001) | Fill out form PA-001 describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates, and prepare the Protection Order Service Information (PA-005). Use the free Maine Judicial Branch forms and any District Court clerk's office if you need help. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft. | - | As soon as possible after the abuse |
| File your complaint with the District Court | File the PA-001 with the District Court clerk in the division where you live or where the other person lives (19-A M.R.S. section 4104). There is no fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse. Ask the clerk when a judge will review your temporary order. | - | Same day you finish the forms |
| Get and carry the temporary order | If the judge grants a temporary order (19-A M.R.S. section 4108), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It stays in effect until your hearing. Note your hearing date, which the court sets within 21 days of filing. | - | Same day the judge signs it |
| Confirm service on the defendant | The court arranges for law enforcement to serve the defendant with your complaint, any temporary order, and the hearing notice. Confirm service happened, since it is required before the court can issue a final order at the hearing. | - | Before the hearing |
| Attend the hearing with your evidence | Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. Both sides can testify, and you must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (19-A M.R.S. section 4109). If you miss the hearing, your temporary order can expire. | - | Within 21 days of filing |
| Track the expiration and move to extend if needed | A final order can last for a fixed period not to exceed two years (19-A M.R.S. section 4110). Calendar the expiration date and file a Motion to Extend Order for Protection (PA-013) before it ends, so the court can hold a hearing on your request. | - | Before the order expires (up to 2 years out) |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There are no fees to file a Complaint for Protection from Abuse (PA-001) in Maine, and law enforcement serves the defendant. There may be a fee to file a Complaint for Protection from Harassment (PA-006), which is a separate order for people who are not family or household members.
A judge can grant a temporary order in an ex parte proceeding, without the other person present, if you show good cause such as an immediate and present danger of abuse (19-A M.R.S. section 4108). It takes effect once signed and stays in effect until your hearing.
You can file against a family or household member or a current or former dating partner who has abused you. You can also file against anyone who has stalked you, sexually assaulted you, or shared intimate images of you. A parent can file on behalf of a minor child.
You start with form PA-001, the Complaint for Protection from Abuse, and file the Protection Order Service Information (PA-005) with it. To extend an existing order, you file the Motion to Extend Order for Protection (PA-013). The Maine Judicial Branch provides these forms free online and at any District Court.
The court holds the hearing within 21 days of your filing (19-A M.R.S. section 4109). Both you and the defendant can attend, present evidence, and testify. You must prove the abuse by a preponderance of the evidence. If the judge finds abuse, the court can issue a final protection order.
Yes. A final order lasts for a fixed period not to exceed two years (19-A M.R.S. section 4110). Before it expires, you can file a Motion to Extend Order for Protection (PA-013), and the court holds a hearing on it. An order may be extended for an additional fixed period.
Violating a Protection From Abuse order is a crime in Maine. Call the police, who can arrest the person, and the court can also hold the person in contempt. Keep a copy of your order with you at all times and report every violation so officers can enforce it.
No. The Maine Judicial Branch is set up for people to request protection from abuse orders on their own, with free forms and guides and help from District Court clerks. Many people file without a lawyer. Legal help can be useful if the case is contested or the other side has an attorney.
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