§586-3 Order for protection. (a) There shall exist an action known as a petition for an order for protection in cases of domestic abuse.

(b) A petition for relief under this chapter may be made by:

(1) Any family or household [member] on his or her own behalf or on behalf of a family or household member who is a minor, or who is incapacitated as defined in section 560:5-101(2), or who is physically unable to go to the appropriate place to complete or file the petition; or

(2) Any state agency on behalf of a person who is a minor, or who is incapacitated as defined in section 560:5-101(2), or a person who is physically unable to go to the appropriate place to complete or file the petition on behalf of that person.

(c) A petition for relief shall: be in writing and upon forms provided by the court; allege that a past act or acts of abuse may have occurred, that the threats of abuse make it probable that acts of abuse may be imminent, or that extreme psychological abuse or malicious property damage is imminent; and be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath or a statement made under penalty of perjury stating the specific facts and circumstances from which relief is sought.

(d) The family court shall designate an employee or appropriate nonjudicial agency to assist the person in completing the petition. [L 1982, c 123, pt of §2; am L 1983, c 18, §1; am L 1985, c 136, §1; am L 1987, c 315, §1 and c 359, §1; am L 1997, c 322, §1]