FAMILY COURT ARTICLES
The New York State Family Court is a court of limited jurisdiction that hears matters involving families and children. A Family Court is located in each of New York‘s 62 counties. Each Family Court has a presiding judge, a number of judges, Support Magistrates, Court Attorneys, Clerks, and Support Staff. The total number of Judges is fixed by Law. Sometimes, Judges from other Courts are temporarily assigned to the Family Court.
The Family Court also has a Probation Department which investigates and supervises cases involving Juvenile Delinquency and some Child Support cases.
It can be difficult, but not impossible, to find a great family court lawyer who charges reasonable fees.
The majority of cases heard in the Family Court are Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Paternity, child neglect, and order of protection cases, however there are occasional cases involving adoptions, guardianship, persons in need of supervision, and Special Immigration Status cases
The family Court has a free mediation program for custody and visitation cases.