Family Court Help Desk
Free Legal Advice
for Family Court Matters
If you would like to speak with an attorney about a family law issue, and your matter is in Erie County, please visit our In-Person help desk Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 11:30 – 2:00 pm at the
Erie County Family Court on the 4th Floor.
If you would like to speak with an attorney about a family law issue, and your matter is in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, or Wyoming Counties, please call 716-823-3255 during the hours of 12 pm and 2 pm Monday & Wednesday
to arrange an attorney phone consultation.
**Limited In-person Family Court Help Desk is available
in Niagara County. More details below**
Family law issues include paternity, child support,
spousal support, family offense orders of protection, custody,
and visitation for parents, siblings, and grandparents.
Please note: Our attorneys at both the in-person desk and phone line are only able to offer you a consultation if you are currently not represented by an attorney, and are low-income.
Family Court Help Desk: Locations and Times
Please bring all court paperwork, including petitions or orders for the attorney’s review.
Help Desk has eligibility requirements, runs on a first-come first-served basis, and is for a one-time only counsel and advice session. The Help Desk doesn’t provide a 2nd opinion for clients that have an attorney.
The Help Desk is closed for holidays and whenever New York State Courts are closed. See here for court schedule.
Erie County (In-Person only)
Erie County Family Court
1 Niagara Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14202
4th Floor (Room 428)
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday
11:30AM – 2:00PM
Niagara Falls (2nd Wednesday of the Month)
Angelo Delsignore Civic Building
775 Third Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Conference Room in Family Court Waiting Room 2nd Wednesday of the Month
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Lockport (4th Wednesday of the Month)
Niagara County Courthouse
175 Hawley Street
Lockport, NY 14094
Conference Room Across From the Family Court Waiting Room 4th Wednesday of the Month
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
About the Family Court Help Desk
In September 2013, The Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), along with the assistance and support of the Erie County Family Court, implemented a new program to provide limited-scope advice to individuals with Erie County Family Court matters. The Family Court Help Desk is staffed by one or two law school interns and an attorney.
Upon arriving, a client is screened for eligibility and an intake is completed by the intern. Then eligible clients meet with the attorney for a one-time counsel and advice session.
VLP’s goal is to inform and educate unrepresented litigants. Through education we reduce the number of unnecessary petitions being filed, improve the quality of the petitions that are filed, and ensure that the proper petition is filed to achieve the client’s desired outcome. Therefore, pro se litigants are less likely to have to refile their petition, amend their petition, or have their petition dismissed. Further, we provide general information about Family Court operations and procedures so that unfamiliar litigants have some insight into what to expect and how events are likely to proceed based on their situation. We let clients know how to prepare for their first court appearance and what they can expect on that first date. Additionally, VLP helps by providing information for other organizations that may provide non-legal support services or full representation.
Interested in Volunteering at the FCHD?
Let us know!
Please visit our pro bono opportunities page or contact Kristopher Sigeti, Esq., Supervising Attorney for Family Law at ksigeti@ecbavlp.com
Volunteer Today!