Adoption: Where Do I Start?
(Separate Website)
General information on adopting a child, including what steps to follow and what you need to know.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
FAQ's: Adoption Process
(Separate Website)
Answers to frequently asked questions about the adoption process, including who can adopt.
By: National Adoption Center
Are you Pregnant and Thinking About Adoption?
(Separate Website)
Information about different legal options if you are pregnant and want to consider adoption.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
The Adoption Home Study Process
(Separate Website)
Information on what is involved in the home study, a process that all persons must go through if they want to adopt a child in the United States.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Stepparent Adoption
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet has information on the legal issues and steps to take when a stepparent wants to adopt.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Other Formats:
PDF File
What Is Second Parent Adoption?
If you are thinking of adopting your partner's child, this fact sheet can answer many of your questions about second parent adoption including what steps you will need to follow.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
Adopting a Child With Special Needs
(Separate Website)
Information on how to adopt a child with special needs, including resources and services that your family may be able to receive.
By: Adoption.com
Intercountry Adoption
(Separate Website)
Detailed information on adopting a child from outside of the United States, including what documents are needed and other legal information.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Legal Issues of Independent Adoption
(Separate Website)
This factsheet gives legal information about adoptions that are not arranged through an agency (independent adoptions), as well as those that are. Also included is information on the legal rights of birth fathers.
By: American Adoptions
Keeping the Family Tree Intact through Kinship Care
(Separate Website)
Detailed information on kinship care and adoption, including what public assistance programs might be able to provide help.
By: Adoption.com
Openness in Adoption
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet explains what an open adoption is, including information on related legal issues.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Other Formats:
PDF File
Private Placement Adoption in New York
(Separate Website)
Explains private placement adoption, who can adopt and when the biological parents need to consent.
By: MFY Legal Services, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Parties to An Adoption
(Separate Website)
General legal information on who may adopt, who may be adopted, and who may place a child for adoption.
By: Adoption.com
Consent to Adoption
(Separate Website)
General information on legal issues involving who must consent before a child can be adopted.
By: Adoption.com
Fact Sheet on the Child Citizen Act of 2000
(Separate Website)
This resource explains the federal law that allows biological and adopted children from other countries to become U.S. citizens.
By: U.S. Department of State
Access to Family Information by Adopted Persons
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet explains the legal issues and terms that you will need to know in order to understand the laws about who can have access to adoption records and what type of information will be included in those records.
By: American Adoptions
Where to Go For Birth Records in New York State
(Separate Website)
Information on how you can get access to official records of your birth in New York State State (outside of NYC).
By: National Center for Health Statistics
Intestate Inheritance Rights
(Separate Website)
The legal rights of adopted persons to inherit when the deceased died without writing a will.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Other Formats:
PDF File
Adoption Subsidies, Benefits and other Financial Issues
How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option Information about adoption process, with special details on subsidies or financial help that may be available to families who adopt. Also included in this booklet are definitions of common terms used during the adoption process.
By: National Endowment for Financial Education
Federal and State Adoption Assistance
(Separate Website)
Information on Federal and State subsidies that are available to help a family who has adopted a child with special needs.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
State Regulation of Adoption Expenses General information concerning what types of expenses are allowed to be paid to the birth parent and to the agency arranging the adoption.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet describes the type of employer benefits that are available to a family that has adopted a child, including what the law requires and what is optional.
By: Child Welfare Information Gateway
I do not speak English, what is my right to receive information in my language?
Video: How to Work with Interpreters
(Separate Website)
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.
By: Legal Services of New Jersey
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to File a Discrimination Complaint With The Office For Civil Rights
(Separate Website)
If you believe that you have been discriminated against because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex or religion by a health care or human services provider (such as a hospital, nursing home, social service agency, doctor's office, pharmacy, children's health program, alcohol and drug treatment center, adoption agencies) or by a State or local government health or human services agency, you may file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
By: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Polish / polski
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
,
Tagalog / Tagalog
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Complaints About Attorneys
(Separate Website)
If you have a complaint against an attorney, you may contact the Attorney Disciplinary / Grievance Committee. The office you need to contact depends upon the location of your lawyer's office. Click for more information.
By: New York State Unified Court System
Understanding the Laws on How You Can Discipline Your Children
This pamphlet helps immigrants, particularly those from the Asian American community, understand how you can discipline your children, and what may be considered child abuse or neglect under New York law.
By: The Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
Read this in:
Bengali / বাংলা
,
Chinese / 中文
,
Hindi / हिन्दी
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Urdu / اردو
Surviving Sexual Abuse and Getting Help: You are Not Alone!
(Separate Website)
If you are a young person who has been sexually abused, or if you think you may have been, this can help you understand your rights and find out where to go for help.
By: Lawyers for Children, Inc.
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Reporting Child Abuse: Mandatory Reporters and the State Central Registry
This fact sheet explains the rules on how child abuse and neglect is reported, including who is required to report, what the state central registry is, how a report is investigated, and what happens next.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
Clearing Your Name: A step-by-step guide through the New York State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
(Separate Website)
This is a step-by-step guide on how to find out if there are records of of child abuse, neglect or maltreatment against you in the New York State Central Register (SCR), whether that information is available to future employers or licensing agencies that deal with the care of children, and how to get those records sealed. If you were ever investigated by the Administration of Children's Services (ACS) or any other child protective services -- even if your child was not taken away from you and the case was closed -- there may be a report against you in the SCR. If you apply for a job with children, want to be a foster parent, want to adopt, or want custody of your own children, you need to find out your SCR status and clear your name.
By: Lansner Kubitschek Schaffer
Child Protective Proceedings: Rights and Responsiblities
(Separate Website)
When the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) files a case against you, you have rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilites are explained here.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Hebrew / עברית
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
Dispositional Hearings on Child Neglect and Abuse Cases
If you are in court on a child neglect or abuse case, this fact sheet can help you understand what a dispositional hearing is and what can happen as a result of this hearing.
By: Legal Services NYC - Bronx Office
Read this in:
French / Français
,
Spanish / Español
Preparing for the incarceration of a loved one
(Separate Website)
This guide will cover issues such as the options a relative has for caring for the child of an incarcerated loved one, options a pregnant woman has when she is incarcerated, how families can keep in touch while a loved is incarcerated, and much more.
By: LIFT
Information for Parents whose Children are in Foster Care
A Parent's Guide To New York's New Foster Care Law
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet is designed to explain to parents the most important ways that the new law changes your rights and responsibilities regarding your children in foster care. It does not provide a general overview of the foster care system.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
Getting the Most Out of Your Service Plan Review (SPR)
(Separate Website)
A parent's guide to making a Service Plan Review (SPR) as productive as possible.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
New York State Kinship Navigator Program
(Separate Website)
Flier announcing the NYS Kinship Navigator Program, a statewide resource for information and referrals. Call 877-4KinInfo, Monday-Fri 10am-4pm to speak with a Specialist or visit www.nysnavigator.org
By: Catholic Family Center
Your Rights in Foster Care: The SPR/UCR Process This information is for young people who want to know their rights in foster care, and how the SPR/UCR process can help.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
Immigrant Youth in Foster Care: Special Immigrant Status If you are an immigrant who is in foster care, this fact sheet explains a Federal law that can help you become a legal permanent U.S. resident and get a green card.
By: The Door - A Center of Alternatives
Read this in:
Korean / 한국어
,
Spanish / Español
Foster Care for Unaccompanied Refugee & Immigrant Children-Frequently Asked Questions
(Separate Website)
Find out what the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) foster care program is, who is eligible, and how to get services.
By: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
I do not speak English, what is my right to receive information in my language?
Do you have trouble with English? Are you unable to to speak, read, write, or understand English well?
(Separate Website)
Did you know federal agencies and organizations that get money from the federal government have to provide reasonable services to assist you? Learn more.
By: Federal Interagency Working Group on LEP
Video: How to Work with Interpreters
(Separate Website)
In this video, you will learn some basic tips that will allow you to communicate effectively and easily through an interpreter with a person who doesn't speak your language.
By: Legal Services of New Jersey
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Appealing Family Court Orders
(Separate Website)
Basic information about the appeals process in family court, organized in a question and answer format, including the steps to take in filing an appeal.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
I am a non-custodial parent, can I voluntarily terminate my parental rights?
If you are a non-custodial parent, you can ONLY volunteer to terminate your parental rights if another person will agree to take your place as the second parent of your child.
By: LawHelp.org/NY
English-Spanish Glossary of Legal Terms & Phrases
(Separate Website)
Complaints About Attorneys
(Separate Website)
If you have a complaint against an attorney, you may contact the Attorney Disciplinary / Grievance Committee. The office you need to contact depends upon the location of your lawyer's office. Click for more information.
By: New York State Unified Court System
How To Get Child Support In New York State
Information on where to file for Child Support, what happens in Family Court, and The Child Support Standards Act.
By: Community Legal Education With an Edge (CLEWE)
Can I get child support?
(Separate Website)
Learn about the child support you may be able to receive.
By: WomensLaw.org
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Child Support Information for Custodial Parents
(Separate Website)
Custodial parents are often the first to need information about child support services. This page gives you links to the information most often requested by custodial parents.
By: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Local Child Support Offices
(Separate Website)
To apply for child support, go to your local Family Court Clerk's Office or the Support Collection Unit (SCU) at your local Department of Social Services. Click here for the addresses and phone numbers of these offices.
By: New York State Division of Child Support Enforcement
How to Calculate Child Support Amount
(Separate Website)
This fact sheet shows how the court is supposed to figure out how much child support should be paid.
By: South Brooklyn Legal Services (A Program of Legal Services NYC)
How Do I Fill Out the Financial Disclosure Affidavit?
Filling Out A Financial Disclosure Affidavit
(Separate Website)
A step-by-step guide on how to fill out the financial disclosure affidavit for parents with a child support case.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Spanish / Español
Child Support
(Separate Website)
This guide answers questions that a non-custodial parent might have about child support.
All of the information is helpful for custodial and non-custodial parents.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Hebrew / עברית
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
When does child support end?
(Separate Website)
Explains how long a parent must pay child support and gives examples of when it can end earlier.
By: Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT)
Getting Spousal Support in New York State
(Separate Website)
This booklet explains how a court can order one spouse to provide financial support to the other spouse while they are married or after they are divorced.
By: Cross-Borough Collaboration (inMotion and the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project)
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Italian / italiano
,
Japanese / 日本語
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Portuguese / português
,
Spanish / Español
How Do I Collect on a Child Support Order or Get the Child Support Amount Increased?
Child Support Payments through the Support Collection Unit after Divorce
Information about the Support Collection Unit and how this agency can help you collect child support payments after a divorce.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for Child Support Orders
If you are getting or paying child support, this fact sheet can tell you when these orders can be reviewed for cost of living adjustments, and how that process works.
By: Legal Services NYC - Legal Support Unit
Read this in:
French / Français
What Can I Do If I Lose My Job or Cannot Pay? How Do I Change (Modify) a Child Support Order?
Child Support: What can I do if I lose my job or cannot pay?
(Separate Website)
If you lose your job or cannot pay for another reason - such as your income was lowered or you are going to prison - the court will not automatically change the amount of child support you are supposed to pay. If you cannot pay, immediately go to the Family Court where the order was made and file a petition for downward modification. This is a written request asking the court to lower the amount of child support you pay.
By: Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT)
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
INTERACTIVE FORM: Online Support Modification Program
(Separate Website)
You can use the Support Modification Petition to ask (or "petition") the Family Court to change a support order if there is a "change in circumstances." This program will help you fill out the petition that you will need to file in Family Court.
By: New York State Unified Court System
I am a non-custodial parent, can I voluntarily terminate my parental rights?
If you are a non-custodial parent, you can ONLY volunteer to terminate your parental rights if another person will agree to take your place as the second parent of your child.
By: LawHelp.org/NY
How Do I File an Objection, Rebuttal or an Appeal?
How to File an Objection or Rebuttal to a Child Support Order
(Separate Website)
Instructions on filing an objection to a child support order if you disagree with the final order.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Hebrew / עברית
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Appealing Family Court Orders
(Separate Website)
Basic information about the appeals process in family court, organized in a question and answer format, including the steps to take in filing an appeal.
By: Legal Information for Families Today
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
French / Français
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Child Support and Alimony Fact Sheet
(Separate Website)
Information regarding child support and alimony for military personnel
By: Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
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