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Safety and temporary orders · reviewed August 21, 2026

Emergency Family-Law Resources in Pennsylvania

Official starting points for immediate safety, interim custody orders, protection from abuse, and Pennsylvania DHS/ChildLine.

Immediate danger: call 911. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call Pennsylvania ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

Temporary orders involving children

Pennsylvania does not promise same-day rulings on any private interim custody filing. Use the Court of Common Pleas interim / emergency procedure and county forms, and confirm the receiving court's local intake and deadlines.

A parent can request interim custody through the Court of Common Pleas procedure (Pa.R.C.P. special relief in custody matters). For an immediate threat, a Protection From Abuse (PFA) petition is a separate, faster route.

Protection From Abuse (PFA)

A Pennsylvania PFA order is issued under 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 61 — no filing fee. A judge can issue a temporary PFA ex parte where there is immediate and present danger. A final PFA can last up to 3 years (extendable). Obey every term; only the issuing court can change it.

Pennsylvania child protective (DHS)

Reports of suspected abuse or neglect go to ChildLine (PA Department of Human Services) at 1-800-932-0313 (24/7); call 911 for an immediate emergency. A report can lead to a county children & youth (CYS) investigation. An unfounded/expunged report does not prove it was knowingly false and does not by itself end parenting time.

Official sources reviewed August 21, 2026

Always confirm current local forms, fees, and filing procedure with the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas / family court clerk handling your case.

Confirm current court fees and deadlines. Court fees, filing and response deadlines, hearing timing, notice periods, and local procedures can change or vary by Pennsylvania county and court. Before relying on any amount or time period on this page, confirm the current amount or deadline with the county court clerk handling your case.