New York City Family Court Family Court Terms / Glossary

- A case sufficient on its face and supported by the requisite minimum of evidence.

- Any person who represents himself/herself in a court proceeding. In New York City Family Court, these persons are called “self-represented litigants”.

- Conditional freedom granted by a judicial officer to a juvenile in a Juvenile Delinquency or Person In Need of Supervision case, or to an adult in certain other proceedings, as long as the person meets certain conditions of behavior.

- A written response by a party to a written objection filed by the other party to a final order of a Support Magistrate.

- When the duty of support for child or spouse or former spouse is based upon a support order of another state, the petitioner may in accordance with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, register that support order in a court of this state by transmitting certain required documents to the Clerk of Court.

- The temporary removal of a child during the pendency of a PINS or neglect/abuse proceeding. During that period, the child is remanded to the Administration of Children’s Services for custodial care.

- Process by which an appellate court legally returns a case which was appealed to the court from which it was appealed, together with its decision, for such further action and entry of judgment as is required by the decision of the Appellate Court.

- The person who formally answers the allegations stated in a petition which has been filed in court.

- An individual who comes to Family Court to file a petition (or other application) and who has no attorney. (Also referred to as a “pro se” litigant.)

- providing the other party in a proceeding with the legal notice that a proceeding has been instituted and when and where to appear in court.

- To conclude a lawsuit by agreement of the parties, usually by compromise.

- attorneys who represent the interests of the Commissioner of Social Services in proceedings brought in Child Support Enforcement Term .

- Law which declares that actions of a specified kind be commenced after a specified period of time from when the cause of action occurred.

- An agreement by attorneys or parties on opposite sides of a case as to any matter pertaining to the proceedings or trial.

- A direction of the court, issued by an attorney or the court, commanding a person to appear in court.

- A subpoena commanding a person to produce in court, certain designated documents or records.

- Notice for a person to appear in court at a specified time and place to answer a legal action against them.

- Quasi-Judicial officer empowered to hear and determine support issues in support, paternity and interstate support proceedings.

- A dispositional order which sets conditions for a specific duration which allows a respondent an opportunity to make corrective action that may result in the matter being dismissed.

- An interim order issued during the pendency of a court case concerning the payment of support.

- A directive by the court requiring the respondent to either post a surety or deposit cash with the court or the Support Collection Unit to insure compliance with a court order of support.

- A proceeding which provides the court with the ability to deal with interstate custody and/or visitation matters.

- Done by omission, failure or absence of a party to the action.

- The particular county, city or geographical area in which a court with jurisdiction may hear and determine a case.

- A sworn statement by a person signing a petition that the statements made in the petition are true.