If 2024 set the stage for family law reform in Maryland, 2025 is already building momentum. Among the quieter yet deeply impactful developments: changes to Maryland’s peace order process.

For attorneys handling domestic matters—especially cases that fall just outside the scope of protective orders—these updates demand close attention. They don’t just shift policy. They change how we assess risk, build cases, and support clients in high-stress situations.

What Are Peace Orders, Again?

Peace orders are Maryland’s answer to civil protection in non-domestic relationships. They’re used when the involved parties aren’t married, related, or cohabiting—think roommates, neighbors, coworkers, or ex-partners without a shared residence. They’ve always existed in a parallel lane to protective orders, but with more limited scope.

Historically, the line between needing a peace order vs. a protective order was blurry. Many clients didn’t even know the distinction existed—until their case was thrown out.

What’s New in 2025?

The Maryland General Assembly took up several peace order reforms during its 2025 session, building on the wave of modernization we saw with HB 1191 and HB929/SB721. Here are some of the key updates:

Broader eligibility: Courts now have more flexibility to grant peace orders based on repeated emotional harm or digital harassment, reflecting how abuse has evolved in the online era.

Longer duration options: Previously capped at six months (with rare extensions), some peace orders can now last up to a year with judicial review.

Faster access to interim relief: Revisions streamline how commissioners handle after-hours petitions—critical for those seeking help outside court hours.

According to MVLS, these changes aim to make peace orders more usable and better aligned with modern realities of harassment and stalking. It’s also part of a broader trend to treat emotional and psychological harm with the same seriousness as physical threats.

Why This Matters for Attorneys

At The Lincoln Law Firm, we’re seeing more cases that land in gray areas—where the abuse is real, but doesn’t meet the narrow definitions used in the past. These updates give us more leverage to advocate for clients facing threats that aren’t overtly violent but are still deeply harmful.

We’re also adjusting how we screen clients. For example:

Social media abuse, once hard to argue under older standards, is now more clearly covered.

Former dating partners—especially in short or digitally-focused relationships—may now be eligible for orders that previously would have been dismissed.

The updates also push us to consider whether peace orders might become a first line of protection rather than a last resort when protective orders aren’t available.

Challenges to Watch

Of course, expanded eligibility means increased scrutiny. Judges will likely push back against vague or unsupported claims. Attorneys should be prepared to:

Present clear digital evidence (texts, screenshots, call logs)

Help clients articulate how repeated, non-physical actions amount to legitimate harm

Navigate situations where the respondent argues free speech or mutual conflict

And while the laws have broadened, the burden of proof hasn’t changed: “clear and convincing evidence” is still the standard.

As Brandon Bernstein Law noted in a recent post, practitioners should “expect the unexpected” in how judges interpret these new criteria. One county’s approach may differ widely from another’s—at least until the appellate courts weigh in.

Maryland’s peace order reforms may not grab as many headlines as the state’s custody or protective order updates, but they’re no less critical. They reflect a growing awareness of how harm manifests in real life—not just in bruises, but in patterns of intimidation, surveillance, and unwanted contact.

At The Lincoln Law Firm, we’re watching these trends closely—and adjusting our strategies accordingly. Because when the law expands to recognize more of our clients’ lived realities, it’s our job to meet that moment with clarity, care, and smart advocacy.