If you are in immediate danger, call 911. A website cannot assess safety in real time, serve an order, stop a person from approaching you, or replace emergency help. Keep copies of any court order available and follow the court's instructions about service and enforcement.
For legal information, start with official court resources and established Massachusetts legal information providers. If you need advice about your facts, evidence, deadlines, or hearing strategy, speak with a Massachusetts attorney or a legal aid organization.
| Resource | Link or contact | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Call 911 | Use this for immediate danger or urgent police, fire, or medical help. |
| MassLegalHelp | https://www.masslegalhelp.org/domestic-abuse-crime-victims/harassment-prevention-orders/harassment-prevention-209a-orders | Plain-language legal information about Massachusetts 209A orders. |
| Massachusetts legal help finder | https://www.mass.gov/info-details/finding-legal-help | Mass.gov directory for legal aid, lawyer referral, and court help resources. |
| Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | https://www.masslawhelp.com/ | Referral service for people seeking a Massachusetts lawyer. |
| Boston Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service | https://bostonbar.org/lawyer-referral/ | Attorney referral service for Greater Boston and Massachusetts matters. |
When contacting a lawyer or legal aid office, ask whether they handle Massachusetts 209A abuse prevention order matters, whether they represent plaintiffs, defendants, or both, and whether they can help before your hearing date. Bring or send the court papers, any temporary order, your hearing notice, and organized evidence.
If you cannot reach a lawyer before a hearing, use official court information to understand where to go, what forms to bring, and what time to appear. Keep notes organized by date and separate the facts you personally know from what someone else told you. If you later get legal help, that organization will make it easier for the lawyer to understand the case quickly.
Resource pages change. Phone numbers, intake hours, eligibility rules, and court practices may be updated without notice. Before relying on any directory, open the official page or call the organization directly.