From Temporary Order to Final Hearing
A PFA case in Pennsylvania has two distinct stages: the temporary order (ex parte, one party only) and the final hearing (both parties, full evidence). The final hearing is where the case is decided. Everything that happens at the final hearing — the evidence presented, the testimony given, the outcome reached — can affect not just the PFA itself but related custody and divorce proceedings.
Arriving, Waiting, and the Process
Timing and Arrival
Appear at Family Court, 440 Ross Street at 9:00 AM on the hearing date. If the respondent does not appear by 10:00 AM, a default three-year final PFA can be entered. There is no second chance for a "forgot" or a late arrival.
Before the Hearing: Negotiation
Before the case is called before a judge, attorneys for both parties — and sometimes the parties themselves — have an opportunity to negotiate a resolution in the hallway. This is where many PFA cases are resolved. Possible negotiated outcomes include: a three-year final PFA by consent (no admission required), a PFA for a shorter duration, a civil no-contact order (which does not carry the criminal consequences of a final PFA), a continuance with a rescheduled hearing, or — in some cases — a withdrawal of the petition.
The plaintiff ultimately controls whether to settle or go to a hearing. If the plaintiff insists on a full hearing, the case proceeds regardless of whether the respondent wants to resolve it.
The Evidentiary Hearing
If the matter does not resolve in negotiation, both parties testify before a judge under oath. The standard of proof is preponderance of the evidence — more likely than not — which is lower than the criminal standard. The plaintiff presents their evidence and testimony first, then the respondent has the opportunity to cross-examine and present their own evidence and testimony.
Evidence that matters: physical evidence of injuries, police reports, medical records, photographs, text messages and communications showing threats or harassment, witness testimony from people who observed the abuse or its aftermath. Credibility is significant — judges assess consistency, documentation, and conduct over time.
What the Judge Can Order
- Final PFA for up to three years — prohibits all contact, requires eviction from shared residence, can include custody provisions and financial support, includes firearm prohibition
- Civil no-contact order — less formal than a final PFA, no criminal enforcement mechanism for violations
- Dismissal by judge — evidence does not meet the preponderance standard
A final PFA entered against a respondent carries consequences beyond the order itself: it appears in court records, affects firearm rights under federal law, can affect professional licenses in some fields, and becomes part of the factual record in any related custody or divorce case.
How to File and What to Expect Procedurally
Who can file: Current or former spouses; current or former sexual or intimate partners, including dating relationships; and family members related by blood or marriage, including parents, children, and siblings. A parent, legal guardian, or adult household member may also file on behalf of a minor child who is a victim of abuse by a family member or the minor's intimate partner.
Emergency PFA Orders (nights, weekends, holidays): When the Family Law Center is closed, Emergency PFA Orders are available at any Magisterial District Court or Pittsburgh Municipal Court. Emergency orders remain in effect until close of business on the next day the Family Law Center opens. You can submit your information online at alleghenycourts.us before going to court.
Temporary PFA Orders: Filed at the Family Law Center PFA Department, 440 Ross Street, third floor, Pittsburgh — Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Arrive early. A judge hears the case the same day. If granted, the Temporary Order remains in effect until the Final Hearing (approximately 10 business days). There are no filing fees for plaintiffs.
PFA Department contact: 412.350.4441 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
The Structural Imbalance
All plaintiffs in Allegheny County PFA cases are offered the option of a free attorney through the court. Defendants receive no such assistance — a PFA is a civil matter, and there is no public defender for civil proceedings. A defendant who appears unrepresented while the plaintiff has a free attorney is at a structural disadvantage from the start.
Once a final PFA is entered, the record is established. Seeking to challenge or modify a final order after the fact is substantially harder than presenting a full defense at the original hearing.