LEGAL RESOURCE GUIDES - English

Step-by-step help.

LIFT’s multilingual Legal Resource Guides will give you step-by-step information on New York State family law and how the Courts work. Click on the links below to view the Guides you need. Not sure which guide you need? Call the Hotline at 212-343-1122 or send a question to our Email Hotline.

You can also find the Legal Resource Guides at all of LIFT’s Family Court-based Sites, located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens Family Courthouses. We even have a special activity book just for kids in Family Court, an illustrated book for teens, and maps of all the courthouses (see the category below "Family Court Navigation and Procedure").

Going to Family Court?

If you are starting a case, the court may ask for certain paperwork. Use this chart to see what paperwork to bring.

LIFT's Legal Resource Guides should not take the place of a consultation with an attorney. LIFT encourages all individuals involved with the Family Court, Criminal Court, and child welfare systems to consult with an attorney.

Legal Resource Guides: Categories

Appeals and Objections

Child Support

Child Welfare

Criminal Justice

Custody and Visitation

Domestic Violence

Family Court Navigation and Procedure

Juvenile Justice

Military Families

Paternity

Starting a Case in Family Court

View All Guides

Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped translate our Legal Resource Guides into different languages. LIFT is also indebted to law firms across the City who have contributed countless pro bono hours to help translate the Guides. The law firms are:

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

Their efforts ensure that those with limited English language proficiency can exercise their rights and remedies in Family Court, helping to ensure the well-being of themselves and their families.

If you have a problem viewing anything on this page, please email us at webmaster@liftonline.org.