Do you know where to start if you need a lawyer for family issues, like divorce, custody, child support, or guardianship? In New York City, several organizations and university clinics provide free or low-cost legal help for families, no matter your immigration status.
Some tips before you reach out
- Call first, many places require appointments or intake calls.
- Bring your documents such as court papers, ID, and any letters you’ve received.
- Ask for language help as most nonprofits offer interpreters.
Here are some organizations and clinics you can contact.
Sanctuary for Families
Sanctuary for Families provides free legal care and other services for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and gender based violence. Their lawyers can help you handle family court cases.
For 24/7 emergency assistance regarding any type of domestic violence, contact the New York City hotline at 1-800-621-4673 or by dialing 311.
For free legal assistance with orders of protection, divorce, immigration, child custody, visitation, and support, you can contact Sanctuary for Families.
- Call (212) 349-6009, extension 1001
- Text (646) 692-0300
Everyone who reaches out will undergo an assessment and intake process. A staff member will ask straightforward questions about your situation and background to effectively connect you with the appropriate services. If they don’t pick up the phone, you are invited to leave a message and someone will call you back soon.
They also have Family Justice Centers, a drop-in service center for victims of domestic violence where they will help you with your needs. You can walk in without an appointment from Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. Find their locations here.
New York City Family Justice Center – Manhattan
80 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 602-2800
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New York City Family Justice Center – Queens
126-02 82nd Avenue
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
(718) 575-4545
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New York City Family Justice Center – Bronx
198 East 161st Street
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 508-1220
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New York City Family Justice Center – Brooklyn
350 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 250-5111
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New York City Family Justice Center – Staten Island
126 Stuyvesant Place
Staten Island, NY 10301
(718) 697-4300
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Legal Services NYC
Legal Services NYC is one of the largest free legal services providers in the U.S. They offer help with custody, guardianship, child support, and family court cases. They offer help to low-income New Yorkers, including undocumented immigrants. They have 12 locations in all five boroughs, you can check their locations here.
- For free legal services, call (917) 661-4500, available Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can ask to speak to someone in your language.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
The New York Legal Assistance Group has free lawyers who can help with divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence cases. Usually, you’ll have to call and leave a message or fill out an online form. For some issues, you can meet in person in your community.
You’ll have to provide your full name, contact information, and a description of your issue when you call. This will help them direct your call to the appropriate department, and they will return it as soon as possible.
All services are free and confidential. In-office meetings are by appointment only.
- To reach them by phone, call (212) 613-5000, available Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
They also have a legal help van which brings lawyers into local communities. In this link, you’ll see the van’s date, time and places where it stops during the month.
Family Legal Care
Family Legal Care provides legal guidance, a family law navigator and other resources, to empower unrepresented parents and caregivers.
All Family Legal Care programs are free and open to everyone with questions regarding New York family law or family court matters.
You can contact the Family Legal Care Helpline to receive family law and court information by phone, email and chat.
- You can contact them at (212) 343-1122 from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their website has more information.
The Family Center
The Family Center provides free legal representation and legal advocacy to people affected by life-altering events, like eviction or changes to child custody.
The Family Center is located at 493 Nostrand Avenue, 3rd Floor in Brooklyn. Walk-in hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- You can reach them by phone at (718) 230-1379 or toll-free at (800) 219-4522. You can get more information about them on this website.
