Reviewed August 2026
Protective Orders in Maine
In Maine, if you are in immediate danger, call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Maine's civil protection order is called a Protection From Abuse order, or PFA, authorized under Title 19-A of the Maine Revised Statutes, section 4001 and following. It costs nothing to file. A person abused by a spouse, a former spouse, another family or household member, or a co-parent can petition the district court. If the danger is immediate, a Maine court can issue a temporary order the same day. After a hearing, a PFA can bar contact, remove the respondent from a shared home, and set temporary custody terms for children the parties share.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how protective orders works under Maine law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Maine paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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Who qualifies for a PFA
Family or household members qualify under Maine's Protection From Abuse statute. That group includes current and former spouses, and people related by blood, marriage, or cohabitation. People who live together now, or lived together before as a household, also qualify. So do co-parents who share a child, and current or former dating partners. Without one of these family or household connections, a person generally needs Maine's separate harassment protection order process instead.
Temporary orders and the full hearing
Showing immediate danger lets a petitioner get a same-day temporary order, issued without the respondent present. It takes effect once served, and stays active until the full hearing. Maine generally schedules that hearing within about 21 days of the temporary order. After the hearing, a PFA can last up to two years, and a court can extend it.
Hearing scheduling can vary by district court. Confirm the date and any local paperwork with the clerk in the filing county.
Filing is free, and where to file
Filing a Protection From Abuse petition in Maine costs nothing. File it in the district court that serves the area where you live. Maine courts provide standard petition forms, so filing without an attorney is possible.
Firearms provisions
Once a court finds abuse occurred at a hearing and grants a PFA, Maine law requires the respondent to relinquish firearms. Federal law adds a separate restriction: a person subject to certain qualifying domestic violence protective orders cannot possess firearms. Violating a Maine PFA, including its firearms relinquishment requirement, is a crime.
PFAs and divorce or custody cases
A PFA in Maine runs as its own case, separate from any divorce or custody case. You don't need either one open to request a PFA. While active, it can still set temporary parental rights and responsibilities for children the parties share. If a divorce or custody case is already underway, tell that court about the PFA so both cases stay consistent.
Sources: Maine Legislature, Maine Revised Statutes, Maine Judicial Branch, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, statewide helpline 1-866-834-HELP
Not independently confirmed
- Exact hearing scheduling window can vary by district court; confirm with the filing court clerk.
- Whether every district court applies the same 21-day scheduling target; confirm current practice with the filing court.
Protective Orders in Maine: frequently asked questions
What is a Protection From Abuse order in Maine?+
Maine's civil protective order under 19-A MRSA 4001 and following. It covers spouses, family and household members, co-parents, and current or former dating partners. While active, it can order no contact and require firearms relinquishment.
Where do I file for a PFA in Maine?+
File in the district court that serves the area where you live. Maine courts provide the standard petition forms, so you can file without an attorney.
Does it cost money to file in Maine?+
No. Maine charges no filing fee for a Protection From Abuse petition.
How fast can I get protection in Maine?+
If you show immediate danger, a judge can grant a temporary order the same day, without notifying the other person first. Maine courts generally set the full hearing within about 21 days of that temporary order.
How long does a PFA last in Maine?+
Up to two years, once a Maine court issues it after a hearing. The court can extend it if the petitioner still needs protection when it's set to expire.
Can a PFA affect custody in Maine?+
Yes. A PFA can set temporary parental rights and responsibilities for children the parties share, even with no separate custody case open. If a divorce or custody case already exists, tell that court about the PFA.
This page is general information about protective orders in Maine, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Maine's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Maine. Virdix does not prepare or file Maine divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Maine.
More Maine divorce guides
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In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Maine, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
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