Recently updated on December 31st, 2024 at 02:47 pm
Prepare your Court Forms Online for Restraining Orders in Massachusetts
This website helps victims learn about the types and then create official court forms required for getting a restraining order in Massachusetts.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Take Screening
Start with an online screening tool to help you decide which restraining order fits your situation the best.
2. Prepare Documents
Instead of looking at the legal forms themselves, you will be guided thorough a series of detailed questionnaires. These will gather the necessary information topic by topic. The questions are in plain and non-legal language. 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 pro bono (free) lawyer to get guidance on restraining orders. These resources are paid for typically by government and can help you review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case and safety planning.
4. File with the Clerk
You can formally begin the case by filing with your local court. You will be informed about which specific court you need to file at as its important to go to one that has jurisdiction over your case. You can file by either printing and visiting the clerk's office at the court or in many locations online directly from this website.
TYPES OF PROTECTION ORDERS
Abuse Prevention Order
This order specifically prohibits contact between certain family members and current or former romantic partners, ordering the alleged abuser to stay away from the alleged victim and their children. Qualifying relationships include people who are married to one another, people who live together, people who are related by blood or marriages, people who have a child together regardless of whether they have ever been married or lived together, or people who have been in a substantive dating or engagement relationship. (M.G.L.A 209A § 1)
Protection Orders Against Harassmexnt
This type of restraining order can be issued against anyone, not just a family member. Sometimes called a 258E Order, its goal is to prevent stalking, sexual harassment, or sexual assault of an alleged victim. A harassment order may be served on anyone who has committed three or more intentional acts specifically aimed at the accuser with the intent to cause fear, intimidation, abuse, or damage to property, and were motivated by cruelty, hostility, or revenge, or forced someone to have sex (M.G.L.A 209A § 1)
The preparation of this case type is not quite ready yet
CONVENIENCES
Privacy
You can explore legal options for getting a protection order while maintaining your complete privacy. Nothing is shared with the government unless you share or submit.
Resources
Learn about free community and pro bono resources. Connect with them and share your case data with a few clicks.
Comprehensive
Covers all common situations such as those involving minors, or firearms, or others permitted by the Washington State law, thereby saving you time.
Forms Selection
Correct form, and the most updated versions are automatically selected based on your situation.
Automated Checks
Run automated checks to verify correctness of your responses and to avoid mistakes that may cause delays in securing a protection order.
Simplified
All questions are presented in plain non-legal language. Difficult concepts are broken down into simpler steps.
NOTES
Legal Information
The legal information contained here does not constitute legal advice or substitute for legal advice.
Courts
This website provides services to prepare cases across Massachusetts i.e. across all counties as they share the same state-wide law. It also has county specific slight changes such as additional court forms required.
CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This contact form is for technical support questions only. For non-technical questions please contact the victim advocates at the telephone numbers listed at the bottom of this page.
