Facing legal challenges within the family court system can be overwhelming, especially when you’re navigating it without legal representation. The Bronx Family Court is dedicated to providing resources and support to individuals and families involved in legal proceedings. This guide serves as your comprehensive resource to understand the help centers and community organizations available to assist you in the Bronx Family Court.
The Bronx County offers several Help Centers and programs designed to guide you through the complexities of the court process. These resources provide crucial information, forms, and support, ensuring that everyone has access to justice, regardless of legal representation. While Help Center staff cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court, they offer invaluable assistance in understanding procedures and accessing necessary resources.
Bronx Family Court Help Centers: Your Access Points to Assistance
Within the Bronx County, multiple help centers cater to different needs within the court system. Understanding each center’s focus will help you efficiently find the support you require.
Bronx County General Civil and Small Claims Virtual Help Center
While primarily focused on Civil and Small Claims matters, this virtual help center can be a starting point for understanding court processes in general. It offers assistance with a broad range of legal areas, which can be beneficial in identifying the right resources even for family court-related issues.
Services Offered:
- Multi-court Help Center Guidance: Navigating different court types.
- Housing Court Information: (Potentially relevant in family law contexts).
- Civil Court Assistance: (Understanding civil procedures).
- Divorce/Matrimonial Information: (While Family Court handles many divorce-related matters like custody, understanding the distinction can be helpful).
- Name Change Procedures:
- Supreme Civil Court Information: (Understanding higher court functions).
- Guardianship Information: (Relevant to Family Court in cases of child or adult guardianship).
- Probate/Administration Information: (Potentially relevant in family estate matters).
- Custody & Visitation Information: Directly relevant to Family Court.
- Domestic Violence Resources: Directly relevant to Family Court.
- Foreclosure Information: (Potentially relevant to family property matters).
Contact Information:
- Call: (646) 386-5556. Leave a message with your contact number, and a court attorney will return your call.
- Website: New York Civil Court (For general information on Civil Court procedures).
Bronx County Housing Part’s Virtual Help Center
If your family court matter is intertwined with housing issues, this specialized virtual help center is a vital resource. Housing instability can significantly impact family dynamics and court cases, making this center particularly relevant.
Services Offered:
- Housing Help Program (HHP): Assistance with housing-related legal issues.
- Housing Court Navigation: Guidance through Housing Court procedures.
Contact Information:
- Call: (718) 466-3022. Leave a message with your contact number, and a court attorney will return your call.
- Website: New York Civil Court (For general information on Civil Court procedures).
Bronx County Family Court Help Center: Direct Assistance for Family Matters
This Help Center is specifically designed to assist individuals without lawyers within the Bronx Family Court. It offers a comprehensive range of on-site services to help you understand and navigate your family court case.
Services Offered:
- Petition Creation and Filing Assistance: Help in preparing and submitting court documents.
- Volunteer Attorney Consultations: Opportunity to speak with volunteer attorneys for guidance (not representation).
- Family Legal Care Representatives: Access to Family Legal Care services and support on-site.
- Court Order Copies: Assistance in obtaining copies of court orders.
- Court Referee Guidance: Support in understanding procedures when appearing before a Court Referee.
Contact Information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: New York City Family Court (For general information about NYC Family Courts).
Alt text: The back to top arrow icon, indicating navigation within the page, used in the context of Bronx Family Court Help Center information.
Bronx County Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program
For those seeking legal guidance but unable to afford full representation, the Volunteer Attorney Program offers a crucial service: free remote consultations with attorneys.
Services Offered:
- Free Remote Consultations: Video and phone consultations with volunteer attorneys.
- Case Types Covered: Custody/Visitation, Support, Guardianship, and Family Offense cases.
How to Access:
- Intake Form: Complete the Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program intake form.
This program is invaluable for getting preliminary legal advice and understanding your rights and options within the Bronx Family Court system.
Family Legal Care (formerly LIFT): On-the-Spot and Hotline Support
Family Legal Care provides immediate, practical help within the Bronx Family Court itself and through a helpline. Their presence within the courthouse makes them easily accessible during stressful court proceedings.
Services Offered:
- On-site Help at Family Court: Tables within the Bronx Family Court offering immediate assistance.
- Telephone Helpline: Information and guidance via phone.
- Languages: English and Spanish (Se habla español).
Contact Information:
- Helpline: (212) 343-1122
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm
- Website: Family Legal Care
Alt text: Navigation arrow icon representing Family Legal Care services at Bronx Family Court, linking back to the top of the page.
Family Legal Care is an essential resource for immediate assistance and support as you navigate the Bronx Family Court.
Bronx County Supreme Civil Court Help Center
While primarily focused on Supreme Civil Court matters, understanding the services offered here can be beneficial if your family law case involves related civil issues that might intersect with Supreme Court jurisdiction.
Services Offered (Similar to General Civil Help Center):
- Multi-court Help Center Guidance
- Housing Court Information
- Civil Court Assistance
- Divorce/Matrimonial Information
- Name Change Procedures
- Supreme Civil Court Information
- Guardianship Information
- Probate/Administration Information
- Custody & Visitation Information
- Domestic Violence Resources
- Foreclosure Information
Contact Information:
- Address: 851 Grand Concourse, Room 121 Bronx, NY 10451
- Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 4:30pm (Closed from 1pm to 2pm)
- Call: (718) 618-1350
Bronx County Surrogate’s Court Help Center
If your family court matter involves estate issues, wills, or guardianship related to incapacitated or developmentally disabled individuals, the Surrogate’s Court Help Center is the relevant resource.
Services Offered:
- Small Estate Petitions: (Estates less than $50,000 with or without a Will).
- Administrative Petitions: (Estates more than $50,000 without a Will).
- Guardianship Petitions: For Incapacitated and Developmentally Disabled People.
- Probate: (Estates more than $50,000 with a Will).
Contact Information:
- Call: (718) 618-1722 (English)
- Para Español llame: (718) 618-1744
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: 12th JD Bronx County Surrogate’s Court
Conclusion: Empowering Yourself in Bronx Family Court
Navigating the Bronx Family Court without an attorney can be challenging, but the wealth of resources available through Help Centers and volunteer programs can significantly ease the process. By understanding the services offered by each center, you can access the specific support you need, whether it’s help with forms, legal information, or guidance through court procedures. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these resources – they are designed to empower you and ensure you have access to justice within the Bronx Family Court system.
