FAMILY COURT

Family Court Judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Court Affiliations

The Suffolk County Family Court is located in Central Islip, New York, and maintains a facility in Riverhead, New York. Case assignment is dependant upon the geographical location of the parties.

The Family Court was established in 1962 in each county of the State, as a successor court to the preexisting Children's Court. Individuals, attorneys, and agencies may initiate a proceeding in the Family Court with the filing of a petition. Petition forms are available through this website, or upon request from the General Clerk's Office.

Cases under the jurisdiction of Family Court.

Petitions may be filed in the Family Court to enforce or modify an order of another court including support, custody and visitation provisions of Supreme Court divorce judgements. However, divorce or separation matters are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and may not be filed in Family Court.

As a general overview, the Family Court is divided into two areas of operation, those issues pertaining to support and paternity will be assigned to a support magistrate, and all other matters will be assigned to a judge of the Family Court. In some instances, support and paternity matters will be calendared before a judge.

Child support and spousal support payments (other than "pay direct") are handled through the Child Support Enforcement Bureau (CSEB), an agency of New York State. Accounting questions including arrears, issues pertaining to the suspension of licenses(Drivers, Recreational or Professional), income tax or lottery interceptions, restraint of assets, or Department of Taxation and Finance Tax warrant inquiries should be directed to CSEB.

Integrated Domestic Violence Parts (IDV) are under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, and are under the "one judge, one family" precept, enabling members of a family to address Family Court, Criminal Court (District Court), and matrimonial issues before a single judge.

Family Court personnel will only provide procedural information, forms and/or guidelines concerning "how to proceed" in this court. Court personnel cannot provide you with legal advice.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. The Family Court is closed on weekends and on holidays.

SERVICES PROVIDED:
Facility Nursery - limited availability
Library Resource Program
Transcription Services (fee based)
Interpreter Services
Copies of Orders
Dispositions