Maryland Extends Temporary Protective Order Window: What the New Law Means for You

Maryland has made two important changes to its protective order law that take effect October 1, 2026. One gives abuse survivors more time and breathing room during the protective order process, and the other allows courts to order abusers to pay for the real financial harm they have caused.

What’s Changing

Under the old law, a temporary protective order (TPO) was only valid for seven days after it was served on the respondent (the alleged abuser), and the final protective order hearing had to happen within that same seven-day window. That is a tight turnaround under any circumstances, and in domestic abuse situations where getting the respondent served can be complicated and slow, it sometimes left petitioners scrambling to get to a hearing with very little preparation time.

Starting October 1, both of those deadlines double. A TPO will now remain in effect for 14 days from the date of service, and the final protective order hearing must be held within that same 14-day period. It is a straightforward change, but for someone trying to find an attorney, gather evidence, or simply figure out what to do next, those extra seven days can make a real difference.

Financial Relief for Abuse-Related Losses

The second change is one that many domestic violence advocates have long pushed for. Courts will now be able to order a respondent to reimburse the petitioner for out-of-pocket losses caused directly by the abuse. That includes:

• Medical, dental, or mental health treatment costs
• Costs to repair or replace damaged property
• Food, temporary shelter, or relocation costs
• Transportation costs
• Filing fees and court costs
• Reasonable attorney’s fees

Anyone who has worked with domestic violence survivors knows that the financial damage of abuse does not end when the relationship does. A smashed phone, a broken lock, an emergency motel stay, an ER visit: these costs land on the victim, and until now, recovering them meant filing a separate civil lawsuit, which many survivors simply do not have the time, money, or energy to pursue. This change lets a court address those losses as part of the protective order process itself.

One more thing worth knowing: receiving compensation under this provision does not close the door on future claims. If additional losses surface that were not covered in the protective order, the petitioner can still pursue them separately.

What Isn’t Changing

The core of the protective order process stays the same. The legal standards for obtaining a TPO or final protective order have not changed. Judges can still extend a TPO beyond the standard window, up to six months, when service is proving difficult or there is other good cause. And the full range of relief available in a final protective order remains intact: no-contact provisions, removal of the respondent from the home, emergency family maintenance, firearm surrender, and custody arrangements.

How We Can Help

Protective order cases move quickly, and having an attorney in your corner from the start matters. At Leffler, Bayoumi & Oliver, we regularly represent clients in protective order proceedings throughout Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Baltimore County and across Maryland, whether you are seeking an order, responding to one, or dealing with a situation where domestic violence is tangled up with a divorce or custody case.

If you or someone you know needs help, please don’t wait. Call us at 410-740-1180 or schedule a consultation through our website.