CourtHelp

Which Court Should I Go To?

In New York State, different courts handle different problems. Find out which court you should go to for your problem.

 

Family & Children

My problem... Go to your local
Divorce, Legal Separation or Annulment NYC:

Supreme Court
Outside of NYC:

Supreme Court
Domestic Violence: Order of Protection Inside and Outside NYC:

  • You are permitted to apply for an order of protection in Family Court and one other court at the same time.
  • If you are in the process of getting divorced or separated, Supreme Court can give you an order of protection.

See: Domestic Violence Orders of Protection Basics
NYC:

Criminal Court (you must file a police report first)
Family Court
Outside of NYC:

Town or Village, District or City Court (you must file a police report first)
Family Court
Paternity NYC:

Family Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
Child Support NYC:

Family Court
But if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
But if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.
Child Custody or Visitation NYC:

Family Court
But if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
But if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.
Spousal Support NYC:

Family Court
But if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
But if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.
Child Neglect and Abuse Emergency:

If you are concerned that a child is being neglected or abused or might otherwise be in danger, it is important that you call the
Child Protective Services Hotline Number.
NYC:

Family Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
Juvenile Delinquency NYC:

Family Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
Termination of Parental Rights NYC:

Family Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
Review of Foster Care Placement NYC:

Family Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court
Child Guardianship For helpful information about the different types of Child Guardianships, see:

CourtHelp Guardianship of a Child
NYC:

Family Court, or
Surrogate’s Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court, or
Surrogate’s Court
Adoption NYC:

Family Court, or
Surrogate's Court
Outside of NYC:

Family Court, or
Surrogate's Court
Divorced and want to change the divorce decree NYC:

If you are divorced and want to change the order of maintenance, custody, visitation and/or child support, go to: Family Court

If you are divorced and want to change how property and/or debt is divided, go to: Supreme Court
Outside of NYC:

If you are divorced and want to change the order of maintenance, custody, visitation and/or child support, go to: Family Court

If you are divorced and want to change how property and/or debt is divided, go to: Supreme Court

 

Traffic

Traffic (non-criminal moving traffic violations) For helpful information on non-criminal Traffic Cases, see:

CourtHelp Traffic Cases
NYC:

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB)
Outside NYC:

City Court
Town Court and Village Court

 

Criminal

Criminal: Misdemeanor or Violation NYC:

Criminal Court
Outside of NYC:

The ticket or summons will list the name and address of one of the courts below, along with the date/time the case will be heard.

City Court
Town and Village Court
District Court
Criminal: Felony (preliminary processing before indictment Arraignments and preliminary hearings) NYC:

Criminal Court
Outside of NYC:

City Court
Town and Village Court
District Court
Criminal NYC:

Criminal Court
Outside of NYC:

City Court
Town and Village Court
District Court

 

Housing/Landlord-Tenant

NYC:

New York City Civil Court, Housing Part
Outside of NYC:

City Court
Town and Village Court
District Court

 

Wills, Estates, and Handling Property of Someone Who Died

NYC:

Surrogate's Court
Outside of NYC:

Surrogate’s Court

 

Small Claims

Non-Commercial NYC:

For money damages up to $10,000:
New York City Civil Court

For additional helpful information, see:
Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in NYC, Nassau County and Suffolk County
Outside of NYC:

  • For money damages up to $5,000 in Nassau and Suffolk County see:
    District Court

For additional helpful information, see:
Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in NYC, Nassau County and Suffolk County
Commercial Small Claims NYC:

For any claim up to $10,000:
New York City Civil Court
Outside of NYC:

For any claim up to $5000:
Western Suffolk and Nassau Counties:
District Court

For additional helpful information, see:
Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in NYC, Nassau County and Suffolk County, or Guide to Small Claims in the NYS City, Town & Village Courts

 

Lawsuits for Money Damages

NYC:

Lawsuits for money damages up to $50,000:
New York City Civil Court

Lawsuits for money damages of more than $50,000:
Supreme Court, Civil Term
Outside of NYC:

 

Lawsuits to Stop, Regulate, or Supervise Private or Governmental Activities

NYC:

Supreme Court, Civil Term
Outside of NYC:

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