New York City Family Court Family Court Terms / Glossary

- Office in the Administration of Children Services which provides legal services on behalf of cases brought by the Commissioner of Social Services.

- A special program designed to help respondents and their children get back together and stay together. This program is designed to service individuals who have a neglect case against them with alcohol or substance abuse allegations.

- Court ordered psychological and or psychiatric examination.

- Order by the Court which requires an alleged father, mother and child to submit to certain medical testing to determine parentage of a child born out of wedlock. Any result of 98% or more probability of paternity is sufficient proof of paternity.

- In the New York City Family Court, person to whom letters of guardianship have been issued for minor person (under the age of 18 years).

- Person appointed by a court to represent a minor or incompetent for purpose of litigation; person does not act as an attorney.

- “You have the body,” the name given a variety of writs whose object is to bring a person before a court or judge.

- Investigation and Report - A court ordered report requesting the Probation Department or Administration of Children’s service to investigate the parties of case and prepare a written report for the adjourn date . The investigation usually includes interviews with the parties and/or children and possibly a home visit. This report may also be called a court ordered investigation (COI).

- This occurs in support proceedings when the parent is unemployed or underemployed (not working a full workweek or working lower than usual paying job) and the court calculates the parent’s gross income based upon past earnings or ability.

- Any person who, for any cause, is incapable to adequately protect his/her rights, although not judicially declared an incompetent.

- An administrative order by the Support Collection Unit (SCU) directing that the payor’s employer deduct the so ordered child support obligation, including arrears from person’s paycheck on orders payable thru SCU.

- An order directing that the payor’s employer garnish the so ordered child support obligation, including arrears and forward directly to the payee orders without support enforcement services.

- Taking of money pursuant to court order or by SCU without court order from the non-custodial parents’ paycheck to pay his or her child support.

- A proceeding in the Family Court where the respondent, after having been provided due notice, fails to appear, and the petitioner alone introduce testimony.

- First court proceeding in Family Court where the petition is read and charges/demands explained.

- A court ordered report requesting the Probation Department or Administration of Children’s service to investigate the parties of case and prepare a written report for the adjourn date . The investigation usually includes interviews with the parties and/or children and possibly a home visit. This report may also be called a court ordered investigation (COI).

- Decision or determination of a court.

- Legal power, right and authority to hear and decide cases; geographical area within which authority may be exercised.

- Foster care placement with a family member.

- Attorneys and certified social workers, who provide services to children as Attorneys for Child in foster care review and termination of paternal rights proceedings .

- A New York City Agency that provides legal representation as Attorneys for Child to children in certain Family Court cases.

- a voluntary and confidential process where you and the other parent work with a neutral mediator to create your own parenting plan.

- The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Division of Mental Hygiene Services (Division or DMH), is responsible for administering contracting actions related to mental health services for adults, adolescents and children.

- Any child under the age of 18 years in the State of New York.

- Application to a court for an order, ruling or decision.