A Protection from Abuse Petition is filed when a person is requesting a court order which protects victims of domestic violence from abuse, specifically physical injury or threats of physical threats.

You may file for protection in Lehigh County if you live or work here, the defendant lives, works, or can be served here, or the abuse occurred here.

A person may file a Protection From Abuse Petition against an intimate partner or family member. Here are some examples:

1. Spouses or former spouses
2. Current or former sexual or intimate partners
3. Household members related by blood or marriage
4. Persons related by blood or marriage
5. Same sex couples
6. Parents and children

*If the abused person is a minor, then a parent, guardian ad litem, or adult household member can file on behalf of the child.

*The PFA act does not apply to disputes between strangers, neighbors, roommates, co-workers, or classmates.

• You must complete the following forms packet and save it to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX all the forms in the packet to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms in the packet may result in your petition not being processed.
• Protection from Abuse Petition Packet
• Send Completed Packet
• Attach the completed forms packet and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Family Court staff member will contact Plaintiff to complete the intake process.

After the intake process is complete, you will be directed to go to the courthouse to have a hearing before the motions Judge. Hearings are generally conducted at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

The Protection Order will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court

An Indirect Criminal Complaint is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is alleging the Defendant has violated one or more of conditions placed on the Defendant in a Temporary or Final Protection From Abuse Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• Indirect Criminal Contempt Petition
• Confidential Information
• Praecipe for self-representation
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Indirect Criminal Contempt petition is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

A Petition to Modify-Dismissal is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to withdraw their Protection from Abuse Petition and close the case.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Dismissal Packet
• PFA Petition to Modify Final Order Dismissal Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Family Court staff member will contact you with further instructions.

A Petition to Modify- Amendment is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to make changes to the provisions of their current PFA Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Amendment Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Rule to Show Cause is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

The Rule to Show Cause will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court.

A Petition to Modify- Extension is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to extend the expiration date of their Final PFA Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Extension Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Rule to Show Cause is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

The Rule to Show Cause will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court.

An Intimidation Protection Petition is filed by an adult on behalf of a minor against an offender whose age is 18 or older.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• Intimidation Protection Petition Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Family Court staff member will contact Plaintiff to complete the intake process.

After the intake process is complete, you will be directed to go to the courthouse to have a hearing before the motions Judge. Hearings are generally conducted at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

The Protection Order will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court

An Indirect Criminal Complaint is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is alleging the Defendant has violated one or more of conditions placed on the Defendant in a Temporary or Final Protection From Abuse Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• Indirect Criminal Contempt Petition
• Confidential Information
• Praecipe for self-representation
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Indirect Criminal Contempt petition is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

A Petition to Modify- Dismissal is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to withdraw their Protection from Abuse Petition and close the case.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Dismissal Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Family Court staff member will contact you with further instructions.

A Petition to Modify- Amendment is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to make changes to the provisions of their current PFA Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Amendment Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Rule to Show Cause is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

The Rule to Show Cause will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court.

A Petition to Modify- Extension is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to extend the expiration date of their Final PFA Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Extension Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Rule to Show Cause is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

The Rule to Show Cause will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court.

A Sexual Violence Protection Petition is filed when a person, who does not have a relationship defined by the PFA Act for a Protection from Abuse Order, is requesting a court order which protects victims of sexual violence.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• Sexual Violence Protection Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Family Court staff member will contact Plaintiff to complete the intake process.

After the intake process is complete, you will be directed to go to the courthouse to have a hearing before the motions Judge. Hearings are generally conducted at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

The Protection Order will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court

An Indirect Criminal Complaint is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is alleging the Defendant has violated one or more of conditions placed on the Defendant in a Temporary or Final Protection From Abuse Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• Indirect Criminal Contempt Petition
• Confidential Information
• Praecipe for self-representation
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Indirect Criminal Contempt petition is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

A Petition to Modify- Dismissal is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to withdraw their Protection from Abuse Petition and close the case.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Dismissal Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Family Court staff member will contact you with further instructions.

A Petition to Modify- Amendment is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to make changes to the provisions of their current PFA Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Amendment Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Rule to Show Cause is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

The Rule to Show Cause will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court.

A Petition to Modify- Extension is filed when a Plaintiff in a Protection from Abuse case is requesting to extend the expiration date of their Final PFA Order.

• You must complete ALL of the following forms in order and save each form to a location on your computer. You will need to then EMAIL or FAX your documents to the Family Court Office. Failure to complete and EMAIL or FAX ALL the forms may result in your petition not being processed.
• PFA Petition to Modify Extension Packet
• Confidential Information
• Send Completed Forms
• Attach each completed form and EMAIL them to FamilyCourtOffice@Lehighcounty.org



OR

• Fax each completed form to (610) 782-3866

Once the Family Court Office has received the documents, a Rule to Show Cause will be prepared and taken to the Motions Judge during a PFA session at either 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Once the Rule to Show Cause is ruled on, it will be filed with the Clerk of Judicial Records Office and the Plaintiff will be notified.

If the Rule to Show Cause is signed by the Judge, both parties will be ordered to appear in court at later date determined by the Court.

The Rule to Show Cause will be emailed to Plaintiff at the email address they provide to the Court.