Family Court Navigation and Procedure

Family Court can be confusing. Explore our guides, videos, and resources to help you understand how Family Court works, what to expect, and how to move your case forward.

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Videos

Serving Court Papers

This video explains the process to serve court papers in Family Court.

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What Is a Default Order?

This video explains what a default order is and what to do if the Family Court issues one against you.

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View All Short, 2-3 minute videos that explain complicated family law topics using plain language.

Guided Court Forms

Affirmation of Service

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out an Affirmation of Service. The Affirmation of Service shows the court that the other party has been served with the court papers.

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Affirmation in Support

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out an Affirmation in Support. The Affirmation in Support is used when filing a Notice of Motion or an Order to Show Cause. The Affirmation in Support explains to the court the reason you are filing and why the court should grant your request.

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Notice of Motion [GF-14]

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out a Notice of Motion. This form is notice of a written request made by a party to the court for specific relief. A Notice of Motion is typically filed with an Affidavit in Support. The Affidavit in Support explains why the court should grant the motion.

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Motion to Vacate & Recalendar

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out a Motion to Vacate an Order of Dismissal and Recalendar. This form is a written request asking the court to cancel an order dismissing your petition because you missed your court appearance. It also asks the court to put your case back on the court's calendar so that you do not need to file a new petition for your case.

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Order to Show Cause [GF-1]

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out an Order to Show Cause. This form is an emergency motion and should be submitted with an Affidavit in Support. The Affidavit in Support explains to the court the reason you are filing and why the court should grant your request.

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Subpoena Duces Tecum

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out a Subpoena Duces Tecum. This is a document used to request a person or business to provide you and the court with documents that are relevant to your case. This program can be used to create a subpoena for employment, banking, or medical records.

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View All A free program that guides you step-by-step through Family Court forms and generates completed forms in PDF or Word format.

Webinars

Know Your Rights: New York Family Law Basics

Topics covered include: Paternity and parentage, child support, custody and visitation, guardianship, and orders of protection.

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New York Family Law & Court Basics

Topics covered include: family law and court basics in New York Family Court.

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What to Expect in New York Family Court: A Beginner’s Guide

Join the Family Legal Care team for a discussion about common issues that families face in New York Family Court.

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Preparing for Court: What to Expect in Your Child Support Case

Learn about about how to prepare for a child support case, including what a summons and petition is, how service works, and what kind of evidence to bring to court with you.

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How To Start A Case In New York Family Court

Topics covered include how to: file a case in Family Court, prepare for court, serve court papers, and more!

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View All Recorded, online presentations about New York family law and Family Court.

Trial Resource Guides

Stages and Timeline for Common Family Court Cases

Although every case is different, this guide explains the general stages and timeline for certain types of Family Court cases.
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Preparing for Family Court

This guide explains what to expect before, during, and after your court date, whether your case is in person or virtual.
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How to Fill Out Common Family Court Forms

This guide will help you understand some of the most common Family Court forms and give you tips on how to fill them out.
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Motions

A motion is when you ask the court to do something in your case while it is ongoing. This guide will help you understand the types of motions and how to file one.
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Discovery

Discovery is the process for getting information and documents from the other party in your case. This guide will help you understand how this process works in Family Court.
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Subpoenas

A subpoena is a document that requires witness testimony or specific documents to be produced in court. This guide will help you understand whether you might need a subpoena and how to request one.
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View All Short, practical guides that explain rules, procedures, and what to expect in court for parents and caregivers who are representing themselves in Family Court.
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