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Domestic Violence Alert

Safety Alert! Your computer use or use of another electronic device and your search history could be monitored by someone else. If you are afraid that your internet and/or device use might be monitored, please use a safer device, like a computer at a library or self-help center, and/or contact a domestic violence organization for help. To learn more about online safety, visit Security Planner.

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I Need to Extend My Personal Protection Order

This toolkit tells you about extending a personal protection order (PPO) you already have. Use this toolkit if you need to extend the expiration date of a personal protection order. For general information about extending PPOs, read the Articles. Read the Common Questions if you have a specific question. If you want to ask the court to extend your PPO, use the Forms link to prepare your forms. The Checklist below has step-by-step instructions for asking the court to extend your PPO. Go to Courts & Agencies for information about the court or agency that will handle your case.

You'll find links to legal aid offices and lawyer referral services under Find A Lawyer. If there is a Self-Help Center in your area you can get more help there. If you need something other than legal help, look in Community Services. If you need a fee waiver, an interpreter, a court to accommodate your disability, or more information about going to court, visit Going to Court.

Common Questions

My PPO is going to expire but I still need protection. What do I do?

You can file an ex parte motion asking the judge to extend the PPO’s expiration date.

An ex parte motion means there will not be a court hearing. The judge decides whether to grant or deny your motion based on the papers you file. You can use our Do-It-Yourself Motion to Modify, Extend, or Terminate a Personal Protection Order (PPO) tool to do this.

When should I file my Motion to Extend my PPO?

To ask the judge to extend your PPO, you must file a Motion to Modify, Extend, or Terminate PPO at least three days before your PPO expires. The expiration date is on the front of your PPO.

You cannot use a Motion to Modify, Extend, or Terminate PPO if:

  • Your PPO is already expired or

  • Your PPO will expire in less than three days

In these situations you can file a new PPO case instead. You can use our Do-It-Yourself Personal Protection Order (PPO) tool to do this. You can file your new Petition for Personal Protection Order in any Michigan county. You do not have to file where your prior PPO case was, but you must tell the court about the prior PPO.

What should I include in my Motion to Extend my PPO?

When you ask the judge to extend your PPO, it is important to explain why you still need protection from the Respondent. You will also need to ask the judge for a new expiration date. To give the judge the full picture, you should include:

  • Things the Respondent did before you got your PPO that continue to make you fearful
  • Things the Respondent did after you got your PPO (if any) that continue to make you fearful

If you have a new court case involving the Respondent (such as a divorce or custody case) and you fear that it could provoke the Respondent to behave in a violent or threatening way towards you, mention this in your motion.

The judge must grant or deny your motion within three days of the date you file it. If the judge denies your motion to extend your PPO, you can file a new PPO case against the same Respondent. You can use the Do-It-Yourself Personal Protection Order (PPO) tool to do this.

Show more Common Questions

Checklist – How to File a Motion to Extend Your Personal Protection Order (print)

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