If You Are in Danger Right Now
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Law enforcement can respond immediately, remove an abusive person from your location, and direct you toward emergency resources. Legal proceedings are the next step — not the first step — when there is imminent threat to physical safety.
Emergency PFA When Family Court Is Closed
The Family Law Center PFA Department at 440 Ross Street is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. When you need protection outside those hours — evenings, weekends, or holidays — Emergency PFA Orders are available through Magisterial District Courts during their business hours and through Pittsburgh Municipal Court at 660 First Avenue, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
An Emergency PFA provides protection until close of business on the next day the Family Court PFA Department reopens. At that point, the full temporary PFA process at 440 Ross Street must be completed to extend protection. You can also submit your information online at alleghenycourts.us before going to court.
Where and How to File
A Temporary Petition for Protection from Abuse may be filed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Family Law Center PFA Department, 440 Ross Street, third floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. Victim advocates are available there to assist with the paperwork. The court will review the petition and, if the standard is met, issue a temporary PFA that day.
The final hearing is scheduled within ten days. At the final hearing, the plaintiff presents their case before a judge, who determines whether to enter a final PFA order.
All plaintiffs at the final PFA hearing are offered the option of a free volunteer attorney through the court. This is a real and valuable resource. Private counsel is an additional option — particularly for cases where coordination with a related divorce or custody matter is important.
When Private Representation Makes Sense
The free attorney provided through the court handles the PFA proceeding itself. When a PFA arises in the context of an active or anticipated divorce or custody case, having private counsel who understands the full picture can be important.
The firm has served as private counsel for PFA plaintiffs in cases where the PFA intersects with divorce, custody, and property issues. By getting involved early, it is possible to ensure the case proceeds most favorably from the start — addressing how the PFA affects related proceedings, what custody protections are available, and how the record established at the final hearing will serve the client in any subsequent proceedings.
The firm has also served as a volunteer through Neighborhood Legal Services providing pro bono representation to abuse victims for more than ten years.
"He handled everything successfully — including PFA matters — with responsiveness, knowledge, and genuine care throughout."
Contact UsThe Protections Available
A final PFA order in Pennsylvania may prohibit the defendant from having any contact with the plaintiff for up to three years. It may evict the defendant from the shared residence, prohibit the defendant from going to the plaintiff's workplace, and — where children are involved — address custody on an interim basis and include child support provisions. Violation of a PFA order is enforceable through indirect criminal contempt — carrying real criminal consequences including potential incarceration.
PFA Plaintiff Questions
For an overview of both sides of PFA matters and how the engagement works, see Protection from Abuse in Allegheny County.