The Family Court hears and determines most legal issues involving children and families. There is a Family Court within each county of the State which is authorized to hear matters relating to:

• Article 6 - custody, visitation and guardianship
• Article 4 - monetary support for children, spouses and ex-spouses
• Article 5 - paternity
• Article 8 - violence among family members
• Article 3 - children accused of committing crimes (JD)
• Article 7 - children in need of supervision (PINS)
• Article 10 - abuse and neglect of children

The Family Court does not handle proceedings involving separation, annulment or divorce. These matters must be brought in the Supreme Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over such issues.
For answers to frequently asked questions and access to petitions, please refer to www.nycourthelp.gov. To receive a petition by mail, put the request in writing and include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Additional Information:

Instructions for completing petitions properly.

An identification sheet must be included with all petitions filed.

If you are filing a petition for child support or seeking modification of a support order, you must file the financial disclosure affidavit at the time you file your petition. (If you are seeking a termination of child support, a financial affidavit does not need to be completed.)

Please summarize the allegations in the petition and do not attach additional sheets of information.

Chief Clerk
Karen A. Nichols

Deputy Chief Clerk
Deborah J. Honohan

Otsego County Office Building
197 Main St.
Cooperstown, NY13326
607-547-4264
Fax 607-547-6412

Otsego County Family Court
The County Annex Building
32 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
607 547 4264
Fax: 607 547 6412

Map

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(excluding state holidays)

All visitors must pass through a magnetometer upon entering the courthouse.

Judge
Hon. Jhilmil Ghaleb

Secretary
Wendy Willsey


County Court Chambers
Otsego County Office Building
197 Main St.
Cooperstown, NY13326
607-547-4212
Fax 607-547-7566

Secretary
Carol Klein

Court Attorney
Nathan Getman

County Court Chambers
Otsego County Office Building
197 Main St.
Cooperstown, NY 13326
607-547-4358
Fax 607-547-6412

Support Magistrate
Richard E. Brown

Assistant
Jeanne Conroy

242 Main St.
Oneonta, NY 13820
607-432-9277
Fax 607-432-5952

Catholic Charities of Delaware and Otseo Counties provides assistance with petition intake, Monday Thursday, and Friday. Walk-ins are welcome or call our office for an appointment, (607) 547-4264.

Catholic Charities is also available to assist parties in reaching agreements by providing trained mediators on site. Please contact Dispute Resolution at (607) 432-0061, ext. 126 for more information or write to

Dispute Resolution Center of Chenango and Delaware Counties
176 Main St.
Oneonta, NY 13820

Visit our Children's Center located just outside the main entrance to Family Court. The Center is available to provide quality child care for litigants' children while litigants attend to court business.