Michigan Legal Help

Domestic Violence Alert

Safety Alert! Your computer use or use of another electronic device and your search history could be monitored by someone else. If you are afraid that your internet and/or device use might be monitored, please use a safer device, like a computer at a library or self-help center, and/or contact a domestic violence organization for help. To learn more about online safety, visit Security Planner.

Filing for a Personal Protection Order — Domestic Relationship

For complete results, pick the county where your case is (or will be) filed. If your legal problem doesn't involve court, pick the county where you live now.

Learn about getting a personal protection order (PPO) against someone with whom you had a domestic relationship (someone you dated, lived with, or married, or who is a parent of your child.)

Articles

Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Orders

A Domestic Relationship Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats or violence against you by a person with whom you have a domestic relationship. This could be your current or ex-spouse, your child's other parent, someone you live with or used to live with, or someone you have dated.
Overview of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of threatening or violent behaviors combined with other kinds of abuse. This pattern of behavior is used to control another person. Read this article to learn about different kinds of abusive behaviors and how you can get help.
Overview of Personal Protection Orders

A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is a court order to stop threats or violence against you. A PPO can help protect you from someone who is threatening, hurting, harassing, or stalking you.
Serving Your Personal Protection Order

This article will tell you about properly serving Personal Protection Orders, and what can happen if you don't. To serve someone means to give that person notice that court papers have been filed against them.
Personal Protection Order Violations and Enforcement

Enforcing your Personal Protection Order (PPO) is important to your safety. Read this article to learn about PPO violations and enforcement.
Responding to a Motion Regarding Your Personal Protection Order

Once a PPO is filed, the Respondent (the person the PPO protects you from) can ask the judge to change or end it. Read this article to learn more about that process.
Crossing State Lines With a Personal Protection Order

Your Michigan Personal Protection Order (PPO) can be enforced outside of Michigan. If you have a protection order issued by another state, it can also be enforced in Michigan. Read this article to learn more.
Minors and Personal Protection Orders

If you are under 18 years old, you can ask the court for a personal protection order (PPO). You can also get a PPO against someone who is a minor. In both of these situations, there are special steps you must follow. Read this article to learn about the PPO process when the petitioner or respondent is a minor.
What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse happens when someone harms or threatens to harm an older adult’s health or welfare. To learn more about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent it, read more.
Breaking a Lease in Domestic Violence Situations

If you’re afraid of violence and moving might make you safer, you may be able to break your lease. This article tells you how.
Extending a Personal Protection Order Before it Expires

Maybe your Personal Protection Order (PPO) is going to expire soon, and you still want to be protected from the Respondent. If so, you can file an ex parte motion asking the judge to extend the PPO’s expiration date. Read this article to learn how to extend your PPO before it expires.
Changing or Ending a Personal Protection Order When You Are the Petitioner

You may have a Personal Protection Order (PPO) you want to end before it expires. Or, you may want to keep the PPO but change one or more of its protections. In either situation, you can file a motion to ask the judge to change or end the PPO. Read this article to learn how.
Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry

The State of Michigan keeps a list of people who have abused or neglected children, called the Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry. Read this article to learn more about how names get on or off this list.
Domestic Violence and Divorce

Has your spouse or the other party in your family court case been emotionally, verbally or physically abusive to you? Domestic violence is serious and can affect many issues in your case. This article explains how.
CPS and Your Family

When Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved with your family, it’s important to understand your rights and responsibilities. Read this article to learn more about the role of CPS and about the child removal process.
Safety and Privacy When Using Electronic Devices for Legal Matters

If you are using a computer, smartphone, or other device to find information related to legal matters, you may want to keep this private for many reasons. You might be concerned for your safety, or you may just prefer to keep your legal issue to yourself. Read this article to learn more about how to keep your information private and safe.

Instructions

Go back to the top of this page and set your county to see results.

Forms

Do-It-Yourself Personal Protection Order (PPO)

Use this tool to prepare a Petition for Personal Protection Order and a proposed Personal Protection Order.

Videos

Community Services

Go back to the top of this page and set your county to see results.

Courts and Agencies

Go back to the top of this page and set your county to see results.

Self-Help Centers

Go back to the top of this page and set your county to see results.

Legal Clinics and Events

Find legal clinics and events near you.

Leave this site Safely

You can quickly leave this website by clicking the “X” in the top right or by pressing the Escape key twice. If you’re worried someone may be watching what you do online, be sure to regularly clear your browser history.