Affordable Brooklyn Custody & Child Support Lawyer – Paul W. Matthews Esq.
Quick Answer:
If you need an affordable Brooklyn custody lawyer or affordable Brooklyn child support lawyer, Paul W. Matthews Esq. brings more than 25 years of family-law experience, 500+ trials, and 25 appeals. A summa cum laude graduate of Brooklyn Law School, he offers high-quality representation at reasonable rates and provides a free initial consultation by phone or Zoom.
What Services Do I Offer to Brooklyn Clients?
I handle every aspect of child custody, visitation, and child support litigation in Kings County Family Court.
Whether you are filing your first custody petition, modifying a support order, or seeking enforcement, I provide personalized representation that balances legal precision with affordability.
For most of my legal career of 25 years I was based in Manhattan Family Court, but when I took cases in other boros they were usually in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Courthouse is near public transportation which in turn is not far from my Manhatan Office.
About Kings County (Brooklyn) Family Court
Address: 330 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 401-9610 (Clerk’s Office / Information Center)
Hours: Generally 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday
The Kings County Family Court serves Brooklyn’s 2.6 million residents and is one of New York State’s busiest family courts. It handles tens of thousands of custody, visitation, support, and family-offense cases each year—one of the highest caseloads in the state.
Court Divisions and Personnel
- Support Magistrates hear child-support and paternity cases under the New York Child Support Standards Act (CSSA).
- Court Attorney Referees and Judicial Hearing Officers (JHOs) assist judges with hearings and settlement conferences.
- The Children’s Division and Records Division handle case files, scheduling, and family services.
- The Mediation Unit offers voluntary parenting and child-support mediation to help resolve cases without trial.
- The Petition Center on the first floor assists self-represented litigants in filing custody, visitation, and support petitions.
- The Court is located inside a modern class w office building, located near Brooklyn Heights, perhaps the nicest neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Transportation and Parking
- Subway: A, C, F, R, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Borough Hall / Jay Street – MetroTech.
- Bus: B25, B26, B37, B41, B52, and B103 all stop near 330 Jay Street.
- Parking: Public garages on Lawrence Street and Livingston Street offer daily rates; street parking is limited.
Why Choose Paul W. Matthews Esq. for Brooklyn Family Cases?
- 25 years in New York Family Court practice; over 500 trials and 25 perfected appeals.
- Brooklyn Law School summa cum laude, first in a class of 400.
- Focus on high-quality but affordable representation for Brooklyn families.
- Free consultation by phone or Zoom.
- Regular appearances before Family Court judges, Support Magistrates, and Court Attorney Referees in multiple boroughs..
- Offices in Manhattan (90 Broad Street) and Staten Island (50 Garretson Ln)
How Custody and Support Cases Work in Brooklyn Family Court
1. Filing the Petition
Start by submitting a petition in the Kings County Family Court Petition Center. Clerks assist with forms for custody, visitation, and support.
2. Initial Hearing
Your case is assigned to a judge or Support Magistrate for a preliminary conference and scheduling order.
3. Mediation or Conference
Many cases go to the Mediation Unit or a settlement conference before a Court Attorney Referee.
4. Trial and Decision
If no agreement is reached, a trial occurs before a judge or Support Magistrate. Decisions on custody and viitation cases are based on the child’s best interests in custody and visitation cases ( for the most part). Decisions on child support are usually based upon the CSSA guidelines for support. For higher income families the guideline may be applied differently, and there are also possible reasons for deviations and :add ons” like expenses for College or day care.
5. Modification and Enforcement
Orders can often be modified if income or custody circumstances change, or enforced through violation petitions and wage garnishment.
Key Legal Entities and Concepts in Brooklyn Family Court
- New York Child Support Standards Act (CSSA) – sets percentages for support based on income and number of children.
- Support Magistrates – specialize in child support and paternity hearings.
- Court Attorney Referees & JHOs – handle motions, pre-trials, and settlement discussions. They can also preside over trials and make final orders with consent of the parties.
- Family Offense Petitions – for orders of protection in domestic violence situations.
- Custody Modification Petitions – used to change existing orders.
- Enforcement Proceedings – used to collect arrears or compel visitation compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many judges serve in Kings County Family Court?
The court has roughly 15 Family Court Judges and more than a dozen Support Magistrates handling cases daily.
Can I file without a lawyer?
Yes, but the Family Court process is complex. A lawyer helps avoid procedural errors and protects your rights. In 25 + years, and after having been on thousands of cases, I have only seen only a few pro se litigants who did as good a job as even mediocre attorneys.
Attorneys typically know not only what to say in court but also what not to say!
What documents should I bring to court?
Bring income proof, pay stubs, tax returns, and any existing orders or stipulations.
What is the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA)?
The CSSA governs support calculations in New York State using statutory percentages based on combined parental income.
Where can I park near 330 Jay Street?
Two public garages on Lawrence Street and Livingston Street are closest. Street parking is scarce, so plan extra time.
Brooklyn Family Court in Numbers
- Over 60,000 cases filed annually in Brooklyn Family Court alone, including custody, support, and family-offense matters.
- City-wide NYC Family Courts see ≈ 190,000–200,000 filings per year.
- Kings County consistently ranks #1 in caseload volume within New York City.
These statistics illustrate why Brooklyn clients benefit from an attorney familiar with its judges, Support Magistrates, and court staff.
Personalized Representation for Brooklyn Families
Every case is different. My approach is to understand your unique family circumstances, craft a custom strategy, and keep legal fees reasonable. I stay reachable by phone or email and provide clear updates periodically or as needed. .
Call for Your Free Consultation
If you need an affordable Brooklyn custody lawyer, affordable Brooklyn child support lawyer, or affordable Brooklyn family court lawyer, contact Paul W. Matthews Esq. today. I offer a free initial consultation by phone or Zoom and serve clients throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Staten Island.
Last updated October 2025