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New York StateUnified Court System

Suffolk County Family Court

Locations

Family Court - Central Islip
400 Carleton Avenue
Central Islip, NY 11722
631-853-4289 - General Clerk

Family Court - Riverhead
889 East Main Street, Suite 308
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-852-3905/06 General Clerk

 

Administration

Supervising Judge
David R. Freundlich

Chief Clerk
Terry Matyszczyk

Deputy Chief Clerk
Dawn Maletta

Hours: Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. Family Court is closed on weekends and on holidays.

Description

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 to 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.

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.

SERVICES PROVIDED: