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Find a Lawyer & State Resources — New York.
Where to get help — legal aid, bar referrals, court self-help, and more.
Legal Aid Organizations
- The Legal Aid Society (NYC) — 5 boroughs — legalaidnyc.org
- Legal Services NYC — NYC — lsny.org
- Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY — Northeastern NY — 833-628-0087 — lasnny.org
- Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York — Central NY — lasmny.org
- LawHelpNY — Statewide referral — lawhelpny.org
NYC Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Phone: 212-626-7373
Website: nycbar.org Lawyer Referral
Cost: $35 for a 30-minute consultation. Connects you with a qualified family/matrimonial law attorney.
NYS Bar Association: 1-800-342-3661
Board Certification
New York does NOT have formal board certification for family law specialists (unlike TX and FL). Instead, look for attorneys who focus their practice on matrimonial and family law. Membership in the NY Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is a good indicator of expertise.
Court Self-Help
NY Courts have extensive self-help resources for pro se (self-represented) litigants:
Self-Help Center: nycourts.gov/help
Parent Education Program: nycourts.gov Parent Education — 4 hours, ~$60 (fee waiver available)
Child Support Enforcement
The Support Collection Unit (SCU) handles child support payment processing and enforcement in NY.
Website: NY.gov child support services
Domestic Violence Resources
- NYS Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906 (24/7, multilingual)
- NYC DV Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) or dial 311
- OPDV (Office for Prevention of DV): opdv.ny.gov
- NYSCADV (State Coalition): nyscadv.org program directory
- File for Order of Protection at Family Court — free
Average Lawyer Costs in NY
- Hourly rate: $300-$600 (NYC typically higher, upstate lower)
- Retainer: $3,000-$15,000 for contested cases
- Flat fee: $1,500-$5,000 for uncontested divorce
- Consultation: $35 via NYC Bar Lawyer Referral (30 min)
Crisis Resources
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- NYS DV Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
- NYS CPS Hotline (SCR): 1-800-342-3720
⚠️ Disclaimer: Dad Court Help is not a law firm. We are not attorneys. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — always verify with a New York family law attorney or the NY Courts website.
We are not attorneys. Dad Court Help provides educational resources and templates, not legal advice. Consult a qualified New York family law attorney for your specific situation.