Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.
New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, Sanctuary for Families, NYLAG, and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence serve women.
New York Courts — Family Law Self-Help is the go-to family-law resource in the New York area for custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Call (646) 386-5700 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
(646) 386-5700 · 60 Centre St, New York, NY 10007 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Based in New York, NYC Family Court supports New York women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Reach the team at (646) 386-5200 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
(646) 386-5200 · 60 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Based in New York, Legal Aid Society — Family Law supports New York women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Reach the team at (212) 577-3300 to schedule a screening. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.
(212) 577-3300 · 199 Water St, New York, NY 10038 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Westchester County Family Court works with women across New York on custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Dial (914) 824-5500 for an initial conversation about your situation. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
(914) 824-5500 · 111 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, White Plains, NY 10601 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
NY State Bar Association — Lawyer Referral is the go-to family-law resource in the Albany area for custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Dial (800) 342-3661 for an initial conversation about your situation. Available Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Fees may apply — sliding-scale, insurance, or self-pay options are typically available.
(800) 342-3661 · 1 Elk St, Albany, NY 12207 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
Comprehensive state-by-state custody and visitation legal information specifically for women, written in plain language by attorneys. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
American Bar Association family law section with attorney directory, public resources, and custody guidance. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
OCSS coordinates state child support and custody enforcement. State agency directory and program information for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Official federal portal for custody and support information with links to every state agency for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal child welfare information gateway. Custody, kinship care, and parenting plan guidance for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free legal reference on custody, visitation, and family law from Cornell Law School. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free public legal information on custody arrangements, modifications, and enforcement for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website