New York State established a Family Court Act that required all matters related to the family to be handled in one type of court. The family court system is part of the Unified Court System of New York. If an individual believes that they are headed towards family court, it is best to be prepared for what lies ahead. Here are a few important things to be aware of:
- Final judgments of divorce are not actually handled in family court. Though matters of divorce seem like they would be handled in family court, they are actually decided on in the Supreme Court of New York State.
- Some of the cases that are heard in family court include:
- Child visitation
- Child custody
- Child support
- Foster care approval and review
- Adoption
- Paternity disputes
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Domestic violence
- Child protective matters for abused or neglected children
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS)
- It is essential to be on time to your hearing, otherwise, you may face penalties imposed by the court
- Individuals have the opportunity to request motions
- All court cases are on public record
It is also a good idea to speak with an attorney before heading into any family court matter. If you need legal assistance, contact our firm today.
Peter V. Mandi, Esq. is an experienced divorce and family law attorney located in Bohemia, New York. If you require strong and dedicated legal representation in Long Island, New York, contact Peter V. Mandi & Associates, Inc. today for a free consultation.
