New York State Unified Court System

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The Family Court hears matters involving children and families including adoption, guardianship, foster care approval and review, juvenile delinquency, family violence, child abuse and neglect, and child support, custody, and visitation.

The Civil Court of the City of New York decides lawsuits involving claims for damages up to $50,000, small claims (cases involving amounts up to $10,000), and claims related to housing (landlord-tenant matters). At the Civil Court in Kings County our goal is to provide equal access to justice to all members of this county's many communities. Each of our 227 court employees is dedicated to providing information and efficient service to each person who enters the legal system through this court. Our 25 judges strive to ensure that every litigant, in every case, receives independent, fair, and impartial consideration under the law.

The Kings County Housing Court, located in Downtown Brooklyn, provides all persons from every background with the opportunity to have their day in Court. The seven resolution parts, five trial parts and one HP part serve the County in an efficient, expedient, and thoughtful manner. Both judicial and non-judicial personnel are committed to providing the highest quality of service possible to ensure that landlords and tenants, whether represented by an attorney or not, receive the justice and fair enforcement of the law that every person deserves.

The Surrogate's Court hears cases relating to individuals who have passed away, including disagreements about wills and the proper way to manage or divide the estate (total assets and liabilities). Surrogate's courts are also authorized to handle adoptions.

The Supreme Court is a trial court with unlimited original jurisdiction, typically handling cases beyond the authority of lower courts with more limited jurisdiction. In New York City, it has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, in which a sentence in excess of one year may be imposed.

The Supreme Court, Civil Term generally hears cases that are outside the authority of the lower courts, such as: civil matters involving higher dollar amounts; divorce, separation, and annulment proceedings.