Custody & Visitation

Custody and visitation refer to the legal rights and responsibilities to a child, including where the child lives, who spends time with the child, and who makes decisions for the child. Explore our resources to find guides, videos, and resources to help you understand your options.

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Videos

Who Can File for Visitation?

This video explains who can file for visitation in New York Family Court.

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What is the Best Interests of the Child Standard?

This video explains what the legal standard “best interests of the child” means in New York Family Court.

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

Guided Court Forms

Custody/Visitation Petition [GF-17]

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out a Petition for Custody and/or Visitation. This form is generally used to start a new custody and/or visitation case. It should not be used if you already have a custody or visitation order from a court.

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Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus [GF-22]

This online program from Family Legal Care guides you through filling out a Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. This is form is used when you have a custody of a child but another person is refusing to return your child to you.

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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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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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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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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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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: What Happens When One Parent Wants to Move Away

Topics covered include custody and visitation rights, how the court decides when a parent can move or not, where to file and when to file in Family Court, and more!

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Know Your Rights: When One Parent is Prevented from Seeing Their Child

Topics covered include: denial of access and what happens when one parent is prevented from seeing or connecting with their child.

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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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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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Common Reports Used in Family Court

Family Court often uses reports to help make decisions, such as what is in a child’s best interests. This guide explains common reports used in custody, visitation, and family offense cases.
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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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Witnesses

A witness is a person who gives testimony under oath. This guide will help you understand how to use witnesses in your Family Court case.
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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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