The court process is complicated.
You won't go in alone.
Trained advocates who walk beside you through protective orders, custody hearings, divorce filings, immigration relief, and victim compensation. We don't replace a lawyer — but we'll help you find one, prep you for what's coming, and sit in the courtroom with you.
Important: Our advocates are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice. We provide information, accompaniment, and referrals to qualified attorneys at no cost to you. If you need legal advice, ask us — we'll connect you with one of our partner attorneys today.
Six paths through the legal system.
You may need one. You may need all six. Most survivors find they need help with at least three before things settle.
Protective & restraining orders
Filing a temporary or final protection order. We help you prepare your statement, gather evidence, and accompany you to the hearing. Most counties grant temporary orders the same day.
Same-day filing · FreeCustody & visitation
Helping you understand your rights and options when children are in the picture. Court accompaniment for custody hearings, supervised visitation referrals, and safety-planning around exchanges.
Attorney referral · Sliding scaleDivorce & separation
Connecting you with attorneys who specialize in DV-informed divorce work. Information on filing pro se, asset division, and how to handle a partner who won't engage.
Pro bono partnerships · Sliding scaleImmigration relief
VAWA self-petitions, U-visas, and T-visas for survivors whose status is tied to their abuser. We work with two immigration attorneys who specialize in DV cases. Confidential — never reported to ICE.
Free legal counselVictim compensation
Filing for state crime-victim funds to cover medical bills, counseling co-pays, lost wages, relocation costs, and emergency expenses. We help with paperwork start to finish.
Up to $25K available · State fundCriminal cases
Court accompaniment if your abuser is being prosecuted, including grand jury, sentencing, and victim-impact statements. We don't represent the state — we represent you.
Court accompaniment · FreeFrom filing to the final hearing.
Every county is slightly different — but here's the rhythm of the process so nothing surprises you.
You meet with an advocate
We sit down (in person, by video, or by phone) and walk through what's been happening. We help you decide whether a protective order is the right tool, what to ask for, and what the court will need to grant it.
Bring: photos of injuries, threatening texts/voicemails, police reports, witness names, dates of recent incidents — but don't worry if you don't have everything. We can work with what you have.
We help you draft the petition
The court asks for a written statement describing the abuse and why you need protection. Your advocate sits with you while you write it — we won't write it for you (we can't), but we'll help you organize, find the language, and not leave anything important out.
You file with the court
We go with you. Most counties grant a temporary order the same day — sometimes within an hour. The order is in effect immediately and lasts 14–21 days, until the final hearing.
The respondent is served
The sheriff serves your abuser with notice of the order and the hearing date. Until they're served, the order isn't enforceable against them — but you can have police remove them from a shared home.
Final hearing
You and the respondent both have a chance to speak. We sit with you, prep you on what to expect, and help you find an attorney if the abuser hires one. If granted, the final order typically lasts 1–5 years and is renewable.
You don't have to be in the same room as your abuser. Most courts allow remote testimony, separate waiting rooms, and an advocate or attorney by your side.
Words the court uses, in normal English.
The person asking the court for help. You. The person filing the protection order.
The person you're asking the court to act against. They have a right to respond, but the burden of proof in a civil protection case is lower than in criminal cases.
A hearing or order issued without the other party present. Temporary protection orders are usually issued ex parte — they don't need to be served before you get one.
Representing yourself in court. Many survivors file protection orders pro se with help from an advocate. For divorce or custody, we strongly recommend an attorney.
A written statement signed under oath. The petition you file is essentially a long affidavit. Lying in an affidavit is perjury.
The pre-trial phase where both sides exchange the evidence they plan to use. In contested custody cases, this can be the most expensive part of the process.
Postponing a hearing. Abusers often request continuances to wear you down financially and emotionally. The court doesn't always grant them, but be ready.
A protection order issued against both parties. Almost always bad for survivors. We help you avoid having one entered against you.
A written agreement between both parties, approved by the court. Sometimes faster and cheaper than a contested hearing — but only if the terms genuinely protect you.
What to bring to your first appointment.
Don't worry about having every item — we work with whatever you have, and we'll help you gather more later. But the more you bring, the further we can get on day one.
All copies are kept in a locked, confidential file. You keep the originals.
Twelve attorneys, three legal-aid orgs, one bar association.
We don't employ attorneys directly. Instead, we partner with the best DV-informed lawyers in the region — many of whom take our referrals pro bono or on sliding scale.
Five attorneys taking 2–3 OSP referrals per quarter at no cost. Specialize in custody and divorce.
VAWA, U-visa, and T-visa work for non-citizen survivors. Interpreters available.
Free representation for survivors below 200% of federal poverty line. Our most common referral.
Boutique firm. High-conflict custody cases involving abuse. South Asian community focus.
Bar association's pro bono pool — 40+ attorneys volunteer. Best for protective orders and uncontested divorce.
For survivors who've been arrested or charged in incidents involving their abuser. Two pro bono slots per year.
"I'd been to court alone twice. Both times he'd shown up with his lawyer and I'd lost. The third time, my advocate sat right behind me. He never even looked at her, but I could feel her there. That's the day I got the order."
You don't have to know what kind of help you need. Just call.
Our legal advocates triage. They'll figure out whether you need an attorney, a protection order, immigration relief, or just someone to come to court with you. The intake call is free, confidential, and takes about 20 minutes.