Protection from Abuse (PFA)

When someone you love is hurting, threatening, or controlling you, it can be hard to know where to turn. A Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a powerful civil court tool designed to help keep you and your children safe from domestic violence. In Pennsylvania, PFAs can restrict contact, remove an abusive person from the home, and put enforceable boundaries in place to prevent further harm.

At Feinman & Childs Family Law, we understand that PFA cases are urgent, emotional, and often intertwined with custody, support, and divorce. Our attorneys focus exclusively on family law and have experience guiding clients through PFA and related protection order matters in Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, and surrounding counties.

Our approach is family-centric and settlement-oriented when appropriate, but we are fully prepared to advocate for you in court when your safety or your children’s stability is at stake.

Why Choose Feinman & Childs for Protection From Abuse Matters

PFA cases require both fast action and careful strategy. At Feinman & Childs Family Law, our attorneys bring:

Extensive family law experience: Our practice is dedicated to family law, including custody, support, and related matters that commonly arise in domestic violence situations.
Knowledge of Pennsylvania protection statutes: Our lawyers stay informed about developments under the Protection From Abuse Act and related laws protecting victims of sexual violence or intimidation (PSVI).
A balanced perspective: We represent individuals involved in PFA proceedings, including those seeking protection and those responding to PFA petitions, always with a focus on safety, fairness, and long-term family implications.
Integrated strategy: Because PFAs can affect custody, visitation, support, and living arrangements, we look beyond the immediate hearing and help you plan for the broader legal and practical consequences.

You are not just a case file. We recognize that a PFA petition may be one part of a larger story for you and your family, and we structure our representation to address both immediate safety and your long-term goals.

What Is a Protection From Abuse (PFA) Order?

In Pennsylvania, a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order is a civil court order that provides “protective relief” for victims of abuse by certain family or household members, intimate partners, or co-parents.

Key features of a PFA include:

It is civil, not criminal, although violations can lead to criminal contempt charges and arrest.

It applies only where there is a qualifying relationship, such as spouses, ex-spouses, intimate partners, family members, or people who share a child.

A final PFA order can provide protection for up to three years and may be extended in certain circumstances.

There are related protection orders for people who are not in a qualifying PFA relationship, such as orders under the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act (PSVI), which can protect victims of sexual violence or intimidation where there is no family or intimate partner relationship.

What Counts as “Abuse” Under the PFA Act?

Under Pennsylvania’s Protection From Abuse Act, “abuse” includes specific types of conduct between qualifying parties, such as:

Causing or attempting to cause bodily injury
Placing another in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury, including through threats
Sexual assault or other specified sexual offenses
False imprisonment
Stalking
Physically or sexually abusing minor children

You do not need to have repeated incidents to qualify. A single serious incident can be enough. The court looks at the facts, the relationship between the parties, and the ongoing risk of harm.

Who Can Seek a PFA in Pennsylvania?

A person may file for a PFA order if they are a victim of abuse by:

A current or former spouse
Someone with whom they live or lived as spouses or intimate partners
The other parent of their child
A parent, child, or other person related by blood or marriage, including siblings and in-laws
A current or former sexual or intimate partner, including dating partners

A parent, adult household member, or guardian ad litem may file on behalf of a minor child.

If the abuse is by a stranger, casual acquaintance, or non-intimate roommate, a traditional PFA may not apply, but other civil protection orders, such as PSVI orders for sexual violence or intimidation, or criminal remedies may be available.

What Protections Can a PFA Order Provide?

A final Protection From Abuse order can include a range of relief tailored to the situation. Under Pennsylvania law, the court may:

Order the defendant not to abuse, threaten, stalk, harass, or contact the protected person
Prohibit direct or indirect contact, including calls, texts, emails, and social media
Grant the victim exclusive possession of the shared residence, even if the home is jointly titled or leased
Establish temporary custody or visitation provisions for minor children, or limit contact to protect them
Require the defendant to relinquish firearms, other weapons, and ammunition, and prohibit acquiring or possessing firearms for the duration of a qualifying order
Direct the defendant to stay away from the victim’s home, workplace, school, or other specified locations
Order the defendant to pay certain losses suffered as a result of abuse, such as medical costs, relocation expenses, or lost wages
Include any other appropriate relief necessary to protect the victim and any minor children

These protections can be customized to fit the facts of your case and the risks you are facing.

The PFA Process in Pennsylvania

While each county has its own procedures, the general PFA process follows a similar pattern across Pennsylvania.

1. Filing the Petition

The person seeking protection, the “plaintiff” or “petitioner,” completes a written petition at the courthouse, explaining the relationship, the abuse, and the relief requested.
In many counties, domestic violence advocates are available to help with Protection From Abuse forms and safety planning, and their services are free and confidential.

2. Emergency and Temporary Orders

Emergency PFAs may be available from a magisterial district judge when the Court of Common Pleas is closed, such as nights, weekends, and holidays. These orders last only until the next business day the court is open.
During court hours, a judge may issue an ex parte temporary PFA, based solely on the petitioner’s sworn statement, if immediate protection is needed.

3. Service on the Defendant

Law enforcement or the sheriff’s office serves the temporary order and notice of the final hearing on the defendant, typically at no cost to the petitioner.

4. Final PFA Hearing

A final hearing is usually scheduled within about ten business days of the temporary order. Both sides have the right to be present, present evidence, and be represented by counsel.
The case may be resolved by:
- Consent agreement, a negotiated order, with or without an admission of abuse, or
- Contested hearing, after which the judge decides whether to enter a final PFA.

A final PFA order can last up to three years and may be extended if certain conditions are met, such as continued risk of harm or new acts of abuse.

5. Enforcement and Violations

Violating a PFA order can result in arrest and an indirect criminal contempt charge. Upon conviction, the court may impose fines and incarceration, and the violation can have serious consequences for custody, employment, and other areas of life.

How PFAs Interact With Custody and Divorce

PFA cases often overlap with broader family law concerns, especially when children are involved. Under Pennsylvania law:

Custody provisions in a PFA order are generally temporary and meant to protect children while other proceedings are pending.

Either party may file a separate custody action under the Child Custody Act. Any valid custody order entered later will usually supersede the custody provisions of the PFA.

A PFA can influence custody decisions, as courts must consider abuse and safety when determining a child’s best interests.

PFA findings and orders can also affect support, access to the home, and the practical timeline of a divorce or separation.

Because of these interactions, PFA strategy should not be considered in isolation. Feinman & Childs can help you understand how a PFA fits into your overall custody or divorce case.

How Feinman & Childs Family Law Can Help in PFA Cases

Every PFA matter is urgent, but no two are identical. We assist clients at all stages of the process, including:

Safety-focused advice and planning

Helping you understand your legal options for immediate protection
Coordinating, when appropriate, with local domestic violence resources and advocates

Preparing and filing PFA petitions

Gathering relevant documents, messages, and other evidence
Framing your sworn statement in a clear, accurate way the court can understand

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Representation at temporary and final hearings

Advocating for appropriate relief, including no-contact provisions, housing, custody, and firearms relinquishment
Negotiating consent PFAs where appropriate, or litigating fully when needed

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Guidance for individuals responding to PFA petitions

Explaining your rights and responsibilities
Evaluating whether to agree to a consent order or proceed to a hearing
Addressing the impact on custody, employment, and background checks

Ongoing family law representation

Handling related custody, support, divorce, or property issues that arise after a PFA is filed or granted

Our goal is to combine prompt, practical action with thoughtful planning, so that your immediate safety concerns and your long-term family interests are both addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Protection From Abuse (PFA) in Pennsylvania

The following are common questions about Protection From Abuse matters.

What is a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order?

A PFA is a civil court order that protects victims of abuse from certain family or household members, intimate partners, or co-parents. It can prohibit abuse and contact, award temporary custody, remove the defendant from the home, and require firearms relinquishment and other relief as needed to protect the victim and children.

Who can get a PFA?

You may qualify for a PFA if you have been abused by a spouse or former spouse, current or former intimate partner, someone with whom you share a child, a parent, child, or other close family member, or someone related by blood or marriage with whom you have a qualifying relationship. If your situation involves abuse by someone outside these relationships, other civil protection orders, such as those available under the Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act, or criminal remedies may be available.

How long does a PFA order last?

Emergency PFAs issued after hours typically last until the next business day the Court of Common Pleas is open.
Temporary PFAs granted during court hours usually last until the final hearing, commonly 7 to 10 days.
Final PFAs can remain in effect for up to three years and may be extended if there is continued risk of harm or qualifying circumstances, such as new acts of abuse or recent incarceration and release of the defendant.

Does a PFA give me custody of my children?

A PFA can include temporary custody provisions to protect children from abuse or exposure to dangerous situations. However, the custody portion of a PFA is not a permanent substitute for a full custody order. Either party can file a separate custody case, and any later custody order will generally supersede the custody terms in the PFA.

What happens if the defendant violates a PFA?

If the defendant violates the terms of a PFA, you should contact law enforcement right away. Police can arrest the defendant and bring an indirect criminal contempt charge. If found in contempt, the defendant may face fines, jail time, often up to six months, and other penalties, and the violation can impact custody and other family law issues.

Do I need a lawyer for a PFA case?

You are not required to have a lawyer, and domestic violence advocates can help with forms and support. However, PFA cases can have serious consequences for safety, housing, custody, employment, and immigration. Having an experienced family law attorney can help you understand your options, present your case clearly, and anticipate how the PFA will affect related custody or divorce matters.

Can a PFA be resolved by agreement?

Yes. Many PFA cases are resolved through consent orders, where the parties agree to certain terms without a full contested hearing. A consent PFA can still be fully enforceable and provide meaningful protections, including no-contact provisions, housing and custody terms, and firearms restrictions. Whether a consent order is appropriate depends on the specific facts, risks, and long-term implications in your case.

How does a PFA differ from other protection orders like PSVI?

A PFA is limited to abuse within certain relationships, including family, household members, intimate partners, and co-parents. The Protection of Victims of Sexual Violence or Intimidation Act, PSVI, allows courts to issue protective orders where there is no such relationship, but the victim has experienced sexual violence or intimidation. Both can include stay-away and no-contact provisions, but they apply in different situations.

Will a PFA affect my divorce or custody case?

Yes, it can. A PFA may temporarily change who lives in the home, affect custody exchanges, and influence how a court views the safety of children and parents. At the same time, divorce and custody orders can later modify or supersede certain parts of a PFA, especially concerning custody. Coordinating your PFA with your broader family law strategy is essential.

Contact Feinman & Childs About Protection From Abuse (PFA)

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For legal advice about your options, Feinman & Childs Family Law is here to help.

We are based in King of Prussia, and we represent clients in Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, and nearby Pennsylvania counties in PFA, custody, support, and related family law matters. Whether you are seeking protection or have been served with a PFA petition, we can help you understand your rights, prepare your case, and pursue a path that prioritizes safety, stability, and the best interests of your family.

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