New York Family Court Attorneys

The Family Court, in the State of New York, is a court of limited jurisdiction. It has subject matter jurisdiction concerning issues between individuals who are considered in a relationship or part of a family. The Family Courts in the State of New York handle cases involving paternity, orders of protection, domestic violence, child support, custody, visitation, neglect proceedings and child abuse proceedings. The Family Court does not have jurisdiction to grant individuals a divorce. Divorce proceedings must be brought in the Supreme Court, in the State of New York.

Go It Alone or Hire an Attorney

The Family Court is a people’s court. The court has simplified procedures, in some situations, for bringing the various types of proceedings the court has jurisdiction to entertain. Our office often receives phone calls from men who have tried to represent themselves in the Family Court. Many of these men have had frustrating experiences, although the law is gender neutral. Many fathers and men find the Family Courts to be hostile environments.

Hire An Attorney to Protect Your Interests

There is an expression that goes “he who represents himself has a fool for a client.” It is generally a mistake to appear in the Family Court without an experienced, knowledgeable Family Court Attorney. The father’s rights lawyers at the Law Office of Elliot Schlissel have more than 70 years of combined legal experience in handling Family Court Proceedings. Our office has been involved in more than 1,000 Family Court Proceedings throughout the Metropolitan New York area.

Problems in Representing Yourself

Follow the list of the problems you will be exposed to should you try to represent yourself in a Family Court trial or hearing:

1. How do I establish a foundation for introducing evidence?
2. What is sufficient to meet the evidentiary standard of the Family Court?
3. What is the procedure for questioning yourself under oath?
4. How to conduct cross examination of a witness that testifies against you?
5. How to deal with the Judge or Support Magistrate during the court proceedings?
6. How do I avoid a hearsay objection to my testimony?
7. What forms of evidence are required by the court?

Fathers often come into our office after going through the meat grinder of the Family Court. They ask us, can we go back and do the hearing again. Unfortunately, you only get to bite the apple one time. After a court proceeding has concluded you must file an appeal or a Notice of Objections.

As the saying goes, it is always better to get it right the first time. Trying to straighten out a proceeding that was mishandled by someone who represented themselves in the Family Court is more costly and difficult than retaining an attorney from the beginning to protect your rights!

If You have a Family Court Problem, Call Us Now!

Our office is known throughout the Metropolitan New York area for our experienced, aggressive legal representation of fathers in the Family Court. Call us now at either 516561-6645, 718-350-2802 or 1-800-344-6431 for a free consultation. We can help you!