Recently updated on November 17th, 2025 at 08:35 pm

Prepare your documents for Change Order of Protection in Guam.

By answering a series of guided questions, this website will help you
complete the forms you need to ask for Change Order of Protection from the Superior Court of Guam.

There is NO FEE to use this website.

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

Start with an online screening tool to help determine whether requesting a Change to an Order of Protection in Guam is appropriate for your situation.

2. Prepare Documents

Instead of looking at the legal forms themselves, you will be guided through a series of detailed questions. These will gather the necessary information topic by topic. The questions are in plain language, and easy to understand for non-lawyers. To make this process as simple as possible, our system will then generate the official court forms with your responses printed on them.

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

You can consult a victim advocate or a pro bono (free) lawyer to get guidance on requesting a Change to an Order of Protection in Guam. These services are often funded by the government and are free of charge. An advocate or lawyer can help you review your request, explain the court process, and discuss how the changes may affect your safety and rights. Only lawyers can provide legal advice, but advocates can guide you through this important step.

4. File with the Clerk

You can file a Request to Change an Order of Protection through the Superior Court of Guam – Family Violence Court. The request may be submitted by the protected person or their legal representative.

File your request at the Guam Judicial Center in Hagåtña, preferably as soon as you decide to seek a change. Include any supporting documents, such as the original order, police reports, or statements explaining why the change is needed. The court may ask for additional information or schedule a hearing to review your request.

Process

Step 1

Check Eligibility

Before you begin, make sure you are eligible to request a Change to an Order of Protection in Guam. You may qualify if you already have an active Order of Protection issued by the court and your circumstances have changed. This could include needing to extend, modify, or dismiss parts of the existing order due to new safety concerns, reconciliation, or other significant changes. The respondent (person the order is against) must be in Guam or the order must have been issued under Guam’s jurisdiction.

Step 2

Complete the Petition

Fill out the petition by clearly explaining what change you are requesting to your existing Order of Protection. For example, to extend, modify, or dismiss certain conditions. Describe the reasons for the change, including any recent incidents, changes in circumstances, or safety concerns. Be specific with dates, locations, and details that help the court understand why the modification is necessary.

Step 3

File for Temporary Protection (Ex Parte)

Once your petition and affidavit are complete, submit them to the clerk at the Superior Court of Guam – Family Violence Court. A judge will review your request, and if there is evidence that you face immediate danger or urgent circumstances, the court may issue a temporary change to your Order of Protection the same day. This temporary order can be granted without notifying the respondent in advance (called an “ex parte” order).

Step 4

Service of the Order

After the temporary change order is issued, the court will arrange for service of the documents. Court Marshals or law enforcement officers will deliver (serve) the order and notice of hearing to the respondent. You do not have to pay any service fees. Proper service ensures the respondent is legally notified of the requested change and is bound by the temporary order until the court holds a hearing.

Step 5

Attend the Show Cause Hearing

A show cause hearing is usually scheduled within 10 days after filing your request. At this hearing, both you and the respondent will have the chance to present evidence and testimony explaining why the Order of Protection should be changed, extended, or dismissed. The judge will decide whether to approve the requested change. You may attend with or without a lawyer, though having legal support or a victim advocate can help you present your case effectively.

Step 6

Permanent Protection Order Decision

After reviewing all evidence at the hearing, the court will decide whether to approve the requested change to your Order of Protection. If the judge finds that the change is justified. For example, due to ongoing safety concerns, reconciliation, or changed circumstances the court will issue a modified or extended permanent order. This may include updated conditions such as no contact, stay-away provisions, or firearm restrictions, depending on what best protects your safety and rights.

Step 7

Enforcement & Duration

Once the changed Order of Protection is issued and properly served, it becomes legally binding. Both you and the respondent must follow all terms of the updated order. If the respondent violates any condition, they can be arrested or charged with a crime. The modified order remains in effect for the duration set by the court, which may extend or shorten the original order depending on your situation.

FAQs

What is a Change Order of Protection?

A Change to an Order of Protection in Guam is a legal request made to the Superior Court of Guam – Family Violence Court to modify, extend, or dismiss an existing protection order. Either the protected person or the respondent can request this change when circumstances have significantly shifted. For example, if safety concerns increase, the parties reconcile, or certain restrictions are no longer needed.

If approved, the court issues a new or updated order that replaces the old one and reflects the current situation, ensuring continued fairness and protection under Guam law.

Who can file for a Change Order of Protection in Guam?

In Guam, either party involved in the original Order of Protection can file for a change:

The protected person (petitioner): may request to extend, modify, or dismiss the order if their safety needs or circumstances have changed.
The respondent (restrained person): may request a modification or dismissal if they believe the order is no longer necessary or certain terms are unfair.

All requests must be filed with the Superior Court of Guam, Family Violence Court, and the judge will review the reasons before deciding whether to approve the change.

Do I need a lawyer to file a Change Order of Protection?

Can I get a Change Protection Order the same day I file?

What protections does a Change Order of Protection provide?

A Change to an Order of Protection in Guam updates the terms of an existing protection order to better fit your current situation. Depending on your request and the court’s decision, the modified order may:

Extend protection for a longer period of time.
Add or remove restrictions such as no contact, stay-away orders, or communication limits.
Adjust custody or visitation terms to improve safety for you or your children.
Require the respondent to surrender firearms or attend counseling.
Dismiss the order if protection is no longer needed.

The goal is to ensure that the court order continues to protect your safety and rights based on your present circumstances.

How long does a Change Order of Protection last in Guam?

The duration of a changed Order of Protection in Guam depends on what the judge decides when approving the modification.

If the court extends the order, it will remain in effect for the new period specified in the updated order (for example, several months or up to one year).
If the order is modified, only the changed terms apply for the remainder of the original order’s duration, unless the judge sets a new timeline.
If the order is dismissed, protection ends immediately once the court approves the dismissal.

Always check the expiration date and conditions listed on the updated court order for exact details.

RESOURCES

Guam Legal Services Corporation Disability Law Center

Guam's Protection and Advocacy agency providing free legal services to individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities since 1999.

(671) 477‑9811
434 W. O’Brien Dr, Suite 102, Hagåtña, GU 96910

Office of the Attorney General of Guam

The Crime Victims’ Response Unit provides legal advocacy and support services to crime victims, ensuring their rights are protected and their voices heard throughout the criminal justice process.

(671) 475‑3406
134 W. Soledad Avenue, 4th Floor, Suite 412 Hagatna, GU 96910

Micronesian Resource Center One Stop Shop

A Guam-based nonprofit empowering children and families through education, support, and community development.

(671) 789‑1265
125 Tun Jesus Crisostomo Street, Tamuning GU 96913

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the necessary steps to complete your Change Order of Protection and submit it to the court as part of your request for legal protection.

Core Forms

Form 4: Petiton/Motion to Dismiss, Extend, or Modify Other Conditions of Order of Protection

Judiciary of Guam

Prepare your documents for Change Order of Protection in Guam.

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

2. Prepare Documents

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

4. File with the Clerk

Process

Check Eligibility

Complete the Petition

File for Temporary Protection (Ex Parte)

Service of the Order

Attend the Show Cause Hearing

Permanent Protection Order Decision

Enforcement & Duration

FAQs

RESOURCES

Guam Legal Services Corporation Disability Law Center

Office of the Attorney General of Guam

Micronesian Resource Center One Stop Shop

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the necessary steps to complete your Change Order of Protection and submit it to the court as part of your request for legal protection.

Core Forms

Get in touch

Prepare your documents for Change Order of Protection in Guam.

Start

HOW IT WORKS

1. Take Screening

2. Prepare Documents

3. Consult Advocate (Optional)

4. File with the Clerk

Process

Check Eligibility

Complete the Petition

File for Temporary Protection (Ex Parte)

Service of the Order

Attend the Show Cause Hearing

Permanent Protection Order Decision

Enforcement & Duration

FAQs

RESOURCES

Guam Legal Services Corporation Disability Law Center

Office of the Attorney General of Guam

Micronesian Resource Center One Stop Shop

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the necessary steps to complete your Change Order of Protection and submit it to the court as part of your request for legal protection.

Core Forms

Court Forms Created This website guides you through all the necessary steps to complete your Change Order of Protection and submit it to the court as part of your request for legal protection.