Divorce, Separation, & Custody

NOW-NYC Service Fund Legal Clinic

Divorce and Separation Clinic
Great starting point for understanding divorce as well as determining next steps for divorce.  Experienced attorney provides overview and answers questions in a group setting of all women.  Resource materials provided.  3rd Mon. at 6:30 PM (No size limit on group) OR 2nd Fri. at 12:00 PM (Limit of 5) of every month. There is a $15 suggested donation but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. 

To RSVP: 212-627-9895

NOW-NYS Clinic 

NOW-NYS Divorce Forum Meeting
Held in the Nassau County/Long Island area
NEXT Meeting: Monday, April 23, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
There is an experienced matrimonial attorney attending to answer your questions. This forum is an opportunity to learn how to help yourself navigate the murky waters of the court systems procedures and rules, to learn what options may be available to you, and to get answers to legal questions from an experienced matrimonial attorney free of charge. It is also an opportunity to network with women who are facing the same challenges that you are, and other women who often have the same judge, attorney, forensic and/or law guardian as you do. This forum is NOT free legal representation.

For location and to RSVP, please call Tracy at (516) 233-9343

 

 

Clearing House and Hotlines

City Bar Justice Center Legal Hotline
Offers a legal advice hotline, as well as a referral service for low-income residents. Specializes in matrimonial and family law, housing law, domestic violence, bankruptcy, and debt collection and benefits. The Legal Hotline is available to low-income New Yorkers. '

Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 212-626-7383.

Shield Program - Matrimonial and family law Monday - Friday 9-1pm 212-382-6629.

LawHelp/NY
An online tool to connect low-income New Yorkers with legal help.  LawHelp.org is a comprehensive source of legal referral information. 

For help with divorce, custody and family law issues: Family Law

 

 

NY State Court System Resources

New York State Unified Court System Divorce Resources
On this website you will find resources on:
·    Collaborative Family Law and Divorce Mediation
·    Domestic Violence & Divorce       
·    Finding a Lawyer
·    Free Divorce Forms - including the Uncontested Divorce Forms Packet     
·    Glossary of Legal Terms
·    Parent's Handbook   
·    Resources for Judges and Attorneys     

Uncontested Divorce Program (part of the New York State Access to Justice Program)
While under the supervision of the Supreme Court’s Help Center’s Court Attorneys, volunteer attorneys will assist unrepresented litigants in the preparation of uncontested divorce papers to enable them to accomplish divorce through the State Supreme Court. Volunteer lawyers do not represent the litigants in court or file papers on their behalf. Please note, in order to effect service, you must have the exact current address of your spouse. Clients will go through a pre-qualification process by answering a questionnaire to determine their eligibility.

Contact:
Baila Kamman, Esq. (New York County)
email: bkamman@courts.state.ny.us
At this time, the New York County program is not accepting anyone with minor children.

Kwaku Agyeman, Esq. (Kings County)
email: kagyeman@courts.state.ny.us
Kings Co. program cannot help with divorces involving domestic violence, child support, child custody, visitation, etc. The program also cannot address maintenance nor spousal support. 

Phaedra Perry (Queens County)
email: pfperry@courts.state.ny.us

Court Sponsored Legal Services

Volunteer Attorney Program
Volunteer attorneys provide free, brief legal advice in some of the court's Help Centers.
Note: Court-sponsored volunteer attorney programs are not available in all locations.

For more information: volunteerattorneys@nycourts.gov.

Collaborative Family Law Center
This includes links to qualifying couples in New York City’s five boroughs to reduced-fee or free collaborative divorce professionals. Collaborative Family Law is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process that gives divorcing couples a respectful way to end their marriage with the help of lawyers, but without the stress, delay, and expense of litigation.  It is also known as Collaborative Law or Collaborative Practice. This includes links to private collaborative divorce professional organizations throughout New York State. If you live in New York City, Collaborative Family Law Center staff can link you to professionals who have agreed to represent clients in a collaborative divorce for a reduced fee, and in some cases, without charge. 

To schedule an appointment, send an email to collablaw@courts.state.ny.us or
Call 212-428-5592

The Collaborative Family Law Center also offers free or reduced-fee mediation services to qualifying couples.  For more information: Divorce Mediation

Note: These resources are inappropriate for cases involving domestic violence, child abuse, or where one spouse cannot locate the other.

New York City Family Justice Centers 

Walk-In Services for Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx
**For domestic violence victims ONLY**
NYC Family Justice Centers provide legal information on family matters, immigration and divorce. Lawyers and paralegals are available to meet with clients to provide advice or representation. They assist clients in understanding their legal rights and may be able to assist with family law (custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, orders of protection) matrimonial, or immigration matters, such as visa information or employment authorization.

Clients may walk-in to any FJC for services anytime Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Clients do not need to make an appointment. The FJC has partner organizations with staff members who speak more than 20 languages. In addition, interpretation services are available for over 150 languages at the FJC.

Additional Free Legal Services

inMotion
Provides free legal services for low-income women seeking help with matrimonial, immigration (domestic violence only), or family law including divorce, custody, orders of protection, child support, and maintenance.  Refer women to their website for thorough information on inMotion and other NYC services.  Spanish, Cantonese, French, Gallego, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Korean, Romanian, and Russian. 
Note: Pro Bono representation is reserved for those who are up to 200% above the poverty line

Locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island:

Uncontested divorce cases, call 212-695-3800 Monday - Friday between 10am and 2pm.
Family law, immigration or contested divorce case, call 212-695-3800 on Thursdays between 10am and 2pm.

Location in the Bronx:

Uncontested divorce cases, call 718-562-8181 Monday - Friday between 10am and 2pm.
Family law or contested divorce case, call 718-562-8181 on Thursdays between 10am-2pm.

L.I.F.T. (Legal Information for Families Today)
Offers a legal advice hotline for women and families in NY and can address questions related to the court system and family law. Offers assistance and information about navigating the court system. LIFT also offers a Family Legal Center with one-on-one support for those seeking guidance on cases involving child custody, child support, and family law. Please call intake line to speak seek legal guidance or to make an appointment for the Family Legal Center.  Languages: English/Spanish, with site in Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

LIFT is limited to helping women and families who are unrepresented and with cases pending in New York State.

Legal family law and family court info hotline (M-F, 9 to 5): 212-343-1122

New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
NYLAG provides consultation, advocacy and representation in a wide range of family law issues including contested and uncontested divorces, child custody/ visitation, orders of protection, spousal and child support, and foster care matters. Victims of domestic violence are prioritized in all cases.  Our language capacity includes Spanish, French and Russian. Also have an immigration, government benefits, employment and special education units. NYLAG will provide legal advice on any situation, however, the chances of getting representation vary depending on the details of the case and the income of the defendant. 
*NYLAG provides paperwork assistance in Spanish*

Call 212-613-5000 Tues and Fri 9:00-3:30 for Family Law, and Mon. Wed. and Thurs. for other issues. 
For immigrant women who will lose citizenship by divorce, call The Family Law Center at 212-254-8228

The Legal Aid Society
Representation in family, matrimonial housing and public assistance matters. No abuse or neglect proceedings. English, Spanish, other languages as needed.

Harlem (NYC): (212) 426-3000
Bronx: 718-991-4600.
Brooklyn: 718-722-3100.
Staten Island: 718-273-6677

 

 

 

Sliding Scale Services

Patricia F. Fersch Family Law Center
Low fee law office for abuse, child support, custody, divorce, harassment, orders of protection, paternity, spousal support and visitation. Sliding scale fees depend upon income and case complexity. M-F  9-5. Not legal aid. Located in lower Manhattan, small, private firm. 

212-254-8228           

The New Start Project
Provides assistance to low and middle income New York City residents with uncontested divorces, separation agreements and brief legal services in contested divorces (answers, notice of appearance) and child support worksheet/petitions. All legal paperwork is prepared by an attorney and clients are assisted from start to finish with their cases. Clients file paperwork in most cases.  Co-founder: Nicole M. Rodriguez, Esq.  Low-cost divorce assistance primarily for uncontested divorce
Note: the project does not provide representation and attorneys are not attorney of record.  Fees are based on a sliding scale ranging from $100-$500 and no one is turned away for inability to pay.
*The New Start Project does NOT provide assistance in Spanish*

(646) 619-1272 

 

 

Self-Representation Services

New York County Lawyers' Association - Legal Counseling Project
The Legal Counseling Project provides counseling to clients four times a month on an appointment-only basis in the areas of family, employment, consumer bankruptcy, and landlord/tenant law. No representation of any kind is undertaken. Many clients are prepared during these sessions - typically lasting 30-45 minutes each - for pro se representation; referrals are made to a variety of sources if the volunteer attorney determines that legal representation is necessary or desirable.

(212) 267-6646, ext. 217   (Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm)

Neighborhood Services

Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.
Provides legal assistance. General help: Walk in help is also available Tues-Thurs, from 10am-4pm at the VLP office at 123 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights. The VLP has programs in family law, uncontested divorces, consumer debt, and a Senior Legal Education and Assistance Program for the elderly (advance medical directives, wills, etc.)
Note: Free for Brooklyn residents only; must meet income requirements.

Intakes conducted over the phone and in person Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 4 pm (need photo ID and proof of income) - Call: 718-624-3894 

Bronx Legal Services
Representation in family law matters.

Hotline 718-585-6003, call from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm.
General contact 718-928-3700

Queens Volunteer Lawyers Project
This is a not-for-profit legal assistance program dedicated to providing attorneys on a pro bono basis to residents of Queens County who cannot afford to retain a lawyer to resolve their civil legal problems. UNCONTESTED DIVORCE ONLY.  
Note, have any court papers or other documents related to the problem on hand when you call. There is a waiting list for uncontested divorces.

 718-739-4100 (Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm) 

 

 

Counseling/Support Groups

Retrouvaille International
A program for couples in troubled marriages who are separated or for those who want to retry a previous marriage. Offers support groups 

800-470-2230

Family and Community Services
Located in Eastchester, for children experiencing separation and divorce.

Call Cora Freedman: 914-741-1044 

For assistance pertaining to divorce and domestic violence, please see the Domestic Violence page.

Custody & Family

FAMILY COURT VOLUNTEER ATTORNEY PROGRAM
Volunteer lawyers provide legal advice on support, paternity, custody,visitation, family offense and guardianship matters to unrepresented litigants in Family Court.

Contact: Angela Britton, Court Attorney, at (347) 401-9233
e-mail: ABRITTON@courts.state.ny.us