Abuse Prevention Orders
G.L. c. 209A, § 3 — no filing fee, and a vacate order for up to one year
In Massachusetts, abuse between family or household members is attempting to cause or causing physical harm, placing someone in fear of imminent serious physical harm, forcing sexual relations by force, threat or duress, or coercive control, a pattern of threatening, isolating, controlling or monitoring behavior that causes reasonable fear of harm or a reduced sense of safety or autonomy.
Family or household members are people who are or were married, live or lived together, are related by blood or marriage, have a child in common, or are or were in a substantive dating or engagement relationship.
- Refraining from abuse, and from contact unless the court allows it.
- Vacating and staying away from the household and workplace.
- Temporary custody of a minor child.
- Compensation for losses the abuse caused, including medical and moving expenses.
- Staying away from the plaintiff's children.
No filing fee. No filing fee is charged for the complaint, and the plaintiff is not charged for certified copies of the orders. An order to vacate is for a fixed period of not more than one year, which the court may extend on the plaintiff's motion with notice to the defendant.
Sources for this section (2)
- G.L. c. 209A, § 1 — Abuse prevention definitions
- G.L. c. 209A, § 3 — Abuse prevention orders
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Massachusetts attorney.