In New York State, different courts handle different problems. Find out which court you should go to for your problem: Families & Children Divorce, Legal Separation or AnnulmentInside NYC or Outside NYC go to your local Supreme CourtDivorced and want to change the divorce decreeNYCIf you are divorced and want to change the order of maintenance, custody, visitation and/or child support, go to: Family CourtIf you are divorced and want to change how property and/or debt is divided, go to: Supreme CourtOutside NYCIf you are divorced and want to change the order of maintenance, custody, visitation and/or child support, go to: Family CourtIf you are divorced and want to change how property and/or debt is divided, go to: Supreme CourtDomestic Violence: Order of Protection Inside and Outside NYCYou are permitted to apply for an order of protection in Family Court and one other court at the same time.If you are in the process of getting divorced or separated, Supreme Court can give you an order of protection. See: Domestic Violence Orders of Protection BasicsNYCCriminal Court (you must file a police report first)Family CourtOutside NYCTown and Village Court, District or City Court (you must file a police report first)Family CourtPaternity | Juvenile Delinquency | Termination of Parental Rights | Review of Foster Care PlacementNYCFamily CourtOutside NYCFamily CourtChild Support | Child Custody or Visitation | Spousal SupportNYCFamily CourtBut if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.Outside NYCFamily CourtBut if you are in the process of getting divorced, the Supreme Court where you filed for divorce.Child Neglect and AbuseEmergency:If you are concerned that a child is being neglected or abused or might otherwise be in danger, it is important that you call theChild Protective Services Hotline Number.NYCFamily CourtOutside NYCFamily CourtChild Guardianship For helpful information about the different types of Child Guardianships, see: CourtHelp Guardianship of a ChildNYCFamily Court or Surrogate's CourtOutside NYCFamily Court or Surrogate's CourtAdoptionNYCFamily Court or Surrogate's CourtOutside NYCFamily Court or Surrogate's Court Traffic Traffic (Non-Criminal Moving Traffic Violations)NYCNew York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB)Outside NYCCity CourtTown and Village Court Criminal Criminal: Misdemeanor or ViolationNYCCriminal CourtOutside of NYCThe ticket or summons will list the name and address of one of the courts below, along with the date/time the case will be heard:City CourtTown and Village CourtDistrict CourtCriminal: Felony (Preliminary Processing Before Indictment Arraignments and Preliminary Hearings)NYCCriminal CourtOutside of NYCCity CourtTown and Village CourtDistrict CourtCriminalNYCCriminal CourtOutside of NYCCity CourtTown and Village CourtDistrict Court Housing & Landlord-Tenant NYCNew York City Civil Court, Housing PartOutside NYCCity CourtTown and Village CourtDistrict Court Wills, Estates, and Handling Property of Someone Who Died NYCSurrogate's CourtOutside NYCSurrogate's Court Small Claims Non-commercial NYCFor money damages up to $10,000:New York City Civil CourtFor additional helpful information, see: Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in NYC, Nassau County and Suffolk CountyOutside NYCFor money damages up to $5,000 in Nassau and Suffolk County see: District CourtFor additional helpful information, see: Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in NYC, Nassau County and Suffolk CountyFor money damages up to $5,000 outside of Nassau and Suffolk County, see: City CourtFor money damages up to $3,000, see: Town and Village CourtsCommercial Small ClaimsNYCFor any claim up to $10,000: New York City Civil CourtOutside NYCFor any claim up to $5000: Western Suffolk and Nassau Counties: District CourtFor additional helpful information, see: Guide to Small Claims & Commercial Small Claims in NYC, Nassau County and Suffolk County, or Guide to Small Claims in the NYS City, Town & Village Courts Lawsuits for Money Damages NYCLawsuits for money damages up to $50,000: New York City Civil CourtLawsuits for money damages of more than $50,000: Supreme Court, Civil TermOutside NYCLawsuits for money damages no more than $15,000: City Court or District CourtLawsuits for money damages up to $25,000: County CourtLawsuits for money damages of more than $25,000: Supreme Court Lawsuits to Stop, Regulate, or Supervise Private or Governmental Activities NYCSupreme Court, Civil TermOutside NYCSupreme Court Related Information Find My Court Basic Steps in a Court Case How Court Cases Start New York State Criminal Courts Chart
