Overview
The Family Court hears matters involving children and families including adoption, guardianship, foster care approval and review, juvenile delinquency, family violence, child abuse and neglect, and child support, custody, and visitation.
Location
Otsego County Family Court
32 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
United States
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday through Friday
(Except State Holidays)
Judges' Chambers
Judge
Hon. John F. Lambert
Secretary
Stacey A. Johansen
Court Attorney
Brian Jayakumar
County Court Chambers
Otsego County Office Building
197 Main Street, Suite 11
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 607-322-3175
Fax: 607-240-5965
Judge
Hon. Michael F. Getman
Secretary
Beth Adams
Court Attorney
Sarah E. Cowen
County Court Chambers
Otsego County Office Building
197 Main Street, Suite 13
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 607-322-3165
Fax: 607-240-5963
Magistrate's Chambers
Support Magistrate
Richard E. Brown
Assistant
Susan Bush
Otsego County Family Court
The County Annex Building
32 Chestnut Street
Phone: 607-322-3132
Fax: 607-240-5548
Chief Clerks
Chief Clerk
Karen A. Nichols
Deputy Chief Clerk
Jill A. Butts
Otsego County Family Court
The County Annex Building
32 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 607-322-3130
Fax: 607-240-5548
About the Court
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 name changes (with the exception of when paternity is established), separation, annulment or divorce. These matters must be brought in the Supreme Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction of 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-address stamped envelope or e-mail your request to [email protected]. The Family Court office also has a public access computer available with access to petitions.