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How to Get a Relief from Abuse Order in Vermont

Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Vermont · Last updated September 17, 2026

In Vermont, a relief from abuse order (RFA) is a civil court order that tells a family or household member to stop the abuse, stop threatening you, and stay away, issued under 15 V.S.A. chapter 21 (sections 1101 to 1115). You ask for one when a spouse, partner, relative, or someone you live with has abused, threatened, or stalked you. You file a Complaint for Relief from Abuse (form 400-00150C) with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live, and there is no filing fee (15 V.S.A. 1103(f)). If there is an immediate danger of further abuse, a judge can issue a temporary order the same day, without the other person present, based on your sworn complaint and affidavit (15 V.S.A. 1104). That temporary order holds until a court hearing, which by law must be scheduled no more than 14 days from the date the order is issued (15 V.S.A. 1104). At the hearing, a judge decides whether to grant a final order. Vermont sets no fixed maximum length: a final order is granted for a fixed period the court finds necessary, and the court can extend it later (15 V.S.A. 1103(e)). 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.

Find out where you stand in Vermont

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How do I get a relief from abuse order in Vermont?

File a Complaint for Relief from Abuse (form 400-00150C) with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live. There is no filing fee (15 V.S.A. 1103(f)). A judge can grant a temporary order the same day if your affidavit shows immediate danger of abuse.

How long does a temporary relief from abuse order last in Vermont?

A temporary relief from abuse order issued ex parte holds until your court hearing. By law that hearing must be scheduled as soon as reasonably possible and in no event more than 14 days from the date the order is issued (15 V.S.A. 1104). The temporary order takes effect once the defendant is served.

How long does a final relief from abuse order last in Vermont?

Vermont sets no fixed maximum. A final relief from abuse order is granted for a fixed period the court decides is necessary to protect you (15 V.S.A. 1103(e)). Before it expires, you can ask the court to extend it, and the court does not have to find that new abuse occurred to do so.

Which court handles relief from abuse orders in Vermont?

You file in the Family Division of the Superior Court, which has jurisdiction over relief from abuse cases (15 V.S.A. 1102). File in the county where you live, or, if you left home because of the abuse, in any county. The Vermont Judiciary provides the forms and self-help guidance for filing without a lawyer.

Vermont relief from abuse law at a glance

In Vermont, a relief from abuse order (RFA) protects you from abuse by a spouse, former spouse, family member, household member, or someone you have dated, under 15 V.S.A. chapter 21 (sections 1101 to 1115). You ask for one by filing a Complaint for Relief from Abuse (form 400-00150C) with the Family Division of the Superior Court, and there is no filing fee (15 V.S.A. 1103(f)). If your sworn affidavit shows an immediate danger of abuse, a judge can issue a temporary order ex parte the same day (15 V.S.A. 1104). That order holds until a hearing, which must be set no more than 14 days after it is issued. A final order is granted for a fixed period the court finds necessary, with no statutory maximum, and can be extended (15 V.S.A. 1103(e)).

Getting a Vermont relief from abuse order after threats from an ex-partner

In Vermont, imagine a former partner you once lived with has been threatening you and showing up at your home. You complete the Complaint for Relief from Abuse (form 400-00150C) and a sworn affidavit describing the threats with dates, and file with the Family Division of the Superior Court at no cost (15 V.S.A. 1103(f)). Because your affidavit shows an immediate danger of abuse, a judge signs a temporary order that day (15 V.S.A. 1104), setting a hearing within 14 days. Law enforcement serves your ex. At the hearing you show the messages and testify, meeting the preponderance standard. The judge grants a final order for a fixed period and tells you it can be extended before it expires (15 V.S.A. 1103(e)). Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.

Relevant Laws

15 V.S.A. 1104 (temporary emergency ex parte order and 14-day hearing)

Authorizes the court to issue a temporary order ex parte, without notice to the defendant, on findings of immediate danger of abuse, and provides that the opportunity to contest shall be scheduled as soon as reasonably possible and in no event more than 14 days from the date of issuance, where the plaintiff has the burden of proving abuse by a preponderance of the evidence.

15 V.S.A. 1103 (final order duration, extension, and no filing fee)

Provides in subsection (e) that relief shall be granted for a fixed period, at the expiration of which the court may extend any order for such additional time as it deems necessary, without a finding of new abuse, and provides in subsection (f) that no filing fee shall be required.

15 V.S.A. 1102 (Family Division jurisdiction over relief from abuse)

Provides that the Family Division of the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction over proceedings under the abuse prevention chapter and sets out the relief the court may order to protect the plaintiff from abuse.

12 V.S.A. 5133 (order against stalking or sexual assault)

Allows a person who is not a family or household member, as defined in 15 V.S.A. 1101(2), to seek an order against stalking or sexual assault by filing a complaint in the Civil Division of the Superior Court, a separate path from a relief from abuse order.

Regional Variances

Vermont relief from abuse rules at a glance

Order name

Relief from Abuse Order (RFA), issued under 15 V.S.A. chapter 21 (sections 1101 to 1115). A separate order against stalking or sexual assault applies to people who are not family or household members (12 V.S.A. 5133).

Where to file

The Family Division of the Superior Court (15 V.S.A. 1102), in the county where you live, or any county if you left home because of the abuse. There is no filing fee (15 V.S.A. 1103(f)).

Emergency and temporary orders

A judge can issue a temporary order ex parte the same day, without the other person present, if there is an immediate danger of abuse (15 V.S.A. 1104). It holds until a hearing set no more than 14 days after it is issued.

Final order duration

A final order is granted for a fixed period the court finds necessary, with no statutory maximum, and can be extended before it expires without proof of new abuse (15 V.S.A. 1103(e)).

Main form

Complaint for Relief from Abuse (form 400-00150C) with a supporting affidavit, or the Complaint for Relief from Abuse on Behalf of a Child (form 400-00150CC). Forms are free through the Vermont Judiciary.

Suggested Compliance Checklist

Complete the Complaint for Relief from Abuse (form 400-00150C)

As soon as possible after the abuse days after starting

Fill out the Complaint for Relief from Abuse and the supporting affidavit, describing the abuse, your relationship, and specific dates. Use the free Vermont Judiciary forms. Attorney review of your petition is available through DocDraft.

File with the Family Division of the Superior Court

Same day you finish the forms days after starting

File the complaint and affidavit with the Family Division of the Superior Court in the county where you live, or any county if you left home because of the abuse. There is no filing fee (15 V.S.A. 1103(f)). You can call 800-540-9990 after hours.

Get and carry the temporary order

Same day the judge signs it days after starting

If the judge grants a temporary order (15 V.S.A. 1104), get the signed order and keep a copy with you. It holds until your hearing, which is set no more than 14 days out. Note your hearing date.

Confirm service on the defendant

Before the hearing days after starting

The court sends your papers to law enforcement to serve the defendant at no charge. The temporary order takes effect only after service. If the defendant is not served by the hearing date, ask the court for a continuance.

Attend the court hearing with your evidence

No more than 14 days after the temporary order days after starting

Go to the hearing and bring photos, messages, and any witnesses. You must prove abuse by a preponderance of the evidence (15 V.S.A. 1104). Missing the hearing can cause your case to be dismissed.

Track the expiration and extend if needed

Before the final order expires days after starting

A final order lasts for a fixed period the court sets, with no statutory maximum (15 V.S.A. 1103(e)). Calendar the expiration date and move to extend before it ends. You do not have to prove new abuse to extend.

Frequently Asked Questions

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