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(a) All petitions under this chapter shall be verified.
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(b) The petition shall be filed in the county where the petitioner resides, where the alleged incident of abuse occurred, or where the respondent may be served.
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(c)
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(1) A petition for relief under this chapter may be filed in the circuit court.
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(2) A petition for relief under this chapter may be filed in a pilot district court if the jurisdiction is established by the Supreme Court under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 80, § 7, and if the cases are assigned to the pilot district court through the administrative plan under Supreme Court Administrative Order No. 14.
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(d) A petition may be filed by:
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(1) Any adult family or household member on behalf of himself or herself;
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(2) Any adult family or household member on behalf of another family or household member who is a minor, including a married minor;
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(3) Any adult family or household member on behalf of another family or household member who has been adjudicated an incompetent; or
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(4) An employee or volunteer of a domestic-violence shelter or program on behalf of a minor, including a married minor.
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(e)
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(1) A petition for relief shall:
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(A) Allege the existence of domestic abuse;
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(B) Disclose the existence of any pending litigation between the parties; and
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(C) Disclose any prior filings of a petition for an order of protection under this chapter.
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(2) The petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit made under oath that states the specific facts and circumstances of the domestic abuse and the specific relief sought.
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(f) The petition may be filed regardless of whether there is any pending litigation between the parties.
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(g) A person’s right to file a petition, or obtain relief hereunder shall not be affected by his or her leaving the residence or household to avoid abuse.
