Parentage & Paternity

Parentage and paternity refer to the legal status of being a parent. Explore our resources to learn about your rights as a parent.

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Videos

How to Establish Your Legal Rights as a Parent

This video explains how parents and caregivers can establish parentage in New York State.

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How to Change Your Child’s Name

This video explains the process of changing your child’s name in New York.

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

Guided Court Forms

Petition to Vacate Acknowledgment of Parentage [Form 5-15]

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out a Petition to Vacate Acknowledgment of Parentage form. The Acknowledgment of Parentage is a voluntary form that unmarried parents sign to legally establish who a child’s parents are. This petition is used to request the court to vacate, or cancel, the Acknowledgment of Parentage.

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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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Know Your Rights: Fathers in Family Court (with Legal Hand)

A joint live presentation with Family Legal Care and Legal Hand. Topics covered include paternity, custody/visitation, child support and more!

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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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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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Evidence

Evidence is information given to the court to help prove or disprove something in your case. This guide will help you types of evidence and give you tips on how to present your evidence in court.
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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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