Information For Custodial Parents Residing In Another State
If you are an out-of-state custodial parent who completed an interstate petition in your local child support agency, and the non-custodial parent lives in New York City, it is likely the Law Department will be assigned to the case.
Under these circumstances, the Law Department is notified of the case by the Family Court. Law Department staff will review the petition and accompanying documents, and communicate with the initiating child support agency office to inform them of the next court date and seek additional information necessary to proceed.
Although a Law Department attorney will present the case in court, the attorney does not represent the custodial parent. Rather, the attorney appears on behalf of the City of New York to assist with administering cases in the child support program.
The Law Department arranges for the non-custodial parent to receive an official notice of the court date. Afterwards, the case proceeds before a Support Magistrate in the New York City Family Court. There are times when a case may be assigned to a Judge of the Family Court.
You are permitted or may be required to appear at the court dates by audio-visual means. It is important for you to maintain contact with the local child support agency where you reside. The Law Department communicates with that agency throughout the proceedings and you may seek case updates from your local agency.
What Happens If I Do Not Follow A Court Order
You must obey court orders. Before you leave court, make sure you understand exactly what is expected of you so you can comply with the order. Comply means do what the order says. You can be held in contempt of court and even arrested for violating a judges order. Violate means not follow the rules.
Information For Local Custodial Parents
If you reside in the five boroughs of New York City, you are eligible for the Law Department’s free services if all of the following criteria apply:
- You are the custodial parent of a child and live in New York City and
- The non-custodial parent lives in another state or country and
- Your child is not receiving cash assistance and
- You have completed a service enrollment form with the Office of Child Support Services, Family Court Support Services in the borough where you reside. Enrolling is now easier than ever, using the NYC Child Support ACCESS HRA Mobile App.
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Bronx County Family Court New York
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The Bronx County Family Court is a trial court in Bronx County, New York. The court is located within the 12th Judicial District. This court hears cases involving families and children, including, adoption, guardianship and foster care.
What If I Disagree With The Judges Decision
If you disagree with a judges decision, you may appeal. An appeal is when you ask to have a higher court review your case. For more information on appealing a court decision, go to the office of the clerk in Room 8-10 on the 8th Floor. Also, see the Family Legal Care guide, Appealing Family Court Orders.
This document should not take the place of a consultation with a lawyer. Family Legal Care encourages all individuals involved with the Criminal and Family Court systems to consult with a lawyer.
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When I Go Back To Court What Should I Bring
Bring a copy of your petition and the notarized Affidavit of Service. Also, bring any other documents that may be important to your case, such as birth certificates, old court orders, photographs, police reports, receipts, bank statements, and school records.
Try not to bring your children to court. The courthouse has a Childrens Center, but you can only leave your child there while you are in the courtroom. If possible, leave your children at home with a babysitter. The Childrens Center is on the 7th floor of the courthouse. The Childrens Center is run by an organization called Safe Horizon.
Where Do I Go When I Get To Court
- To begin a case about child support for children who ARE on public assistance , you must go to the Manhattan Family Court , Room 1C on the 1st floor. This is the petition room for the Child Support Enforcement Term. Everyone who lives in New York City and has children on public assistance goes there. You will know that the children in the case are on public assistance if your case title looks like this:
City of New York o/b/o v.
- To begin a child support case for children who live in the Bronx and are NOT on public assistance, go to the Support Collection Unit on the 1st floor.
- To get an order of protection , go to the Petition Room 7-70 on the 7th floor. An OP is a paper from a judge that makes rules about contact between people. You can file for an OP when you believe that a family member or the parent of your child might hurt you. The petition for an OP is called a family offense petition. The judge will see you the day you file for an OP. The judge may give you a temporary order of protection . The TOP usually lasts until the next court date. For more information, see the Family Legal Care guide, Orders of Protection.
If you want someone to help you file for an order of protection, go to Safe Horizon in Room 6E-38 on the 6th floor.
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Electronic Document Delivery System
The UCS has made available a system of secure document transmission by court users to judges, clerks of court, and other UCS offices around the State. This system, known as the Electronic Document Delivery System , may also be used for filing of documents in pending cases in courts where NYSCEF is not available. EDDS may be used by attorneys, unrepresented persons, and other court users. For more information on this system, view the EDDS Notice and the EDDS FAQs.
Forms page for helpful information about the legal process and legal documents.)
Bronx County Family Court
Clerk Clerks Office Phone: 618-2098Help Center: 618-2150Child Support Service Center: 618-2155Fax: 590-7875Website:
The Family Court hears matters involving children and families . Its jurisdiction includes: Adoption Guardianship Foster Care Approval and Review Delinquency Persons in Need of Supervision Family Offense Child Protective Proceedings Termination of Parental Rights Custody and Visitation and Support.
On-site interpreters include Spanish. All other languages including sign language are available upon request.
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Nyc Family Justice Centers
During business hours , you can call any New York City Family Justice Center to get connected to free and confidential assistance for victims and survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, which can include sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking, and intimate partner violence. If you are asked, leave us a message and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Through any NYC FJC, survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and their children can get connected to organizations that provide case management, economic empowerment, counseling, civil legal, and criminal legal assistance. Located in all five boroughs, FJCs are safe, caring environments that provide one-stop services and support. Key City agencies, community, social and civil legal services providers, and District Attorney’s Offices are located on-site at FJCs, to make it easier for survivors to get help.
All are welcome regardless of language, income, gender identity, or immigration status. Interpretation services are available at every FJC, and locations are wheelchair accessible. Call ahead to request other accommodations.
Registration Of An Out
The registration process involves filing a support order or judgment in another state or country to enable that state or country to recognize, enforce, or modify that order.
If you are a custodial parent with an order of support from outside of New York, or a custodial parent who lives in the five boroughs of New York City with an order of support from New York, the Law Department may be able to assist you in registering that order where the non-custodial parent resides for enforcement and/or modification. You will need to contact your local child support agency office to obtain the list of documents to proceed with a registration of an out-of-state support order.
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How Can The Family Justice Centers Help
NYC Family Justice Centers can help you with:
- Planning for your safety
- Applying for public benefits, shelter, housing, and other support services
- Mental health and counseling services to support emotional well-being for you and your children
- Information on job training programs, including help with resume writing and interviewing skills
- Referrals to education programs, including workshops to help with budgeting, credit repair, and English as a Second Language classes
- Legal help for orders of protection, custody, visitation, child support, divorce, housing, and immigration
- Connecting to trained law enforcement, such as NYPD, NYC Sheriff’s Office, and District Attorney’s Office
- Childcare for children age 3+ while you get services at the FJC