A Guide to the Suffolk County Courts for Divorce and Family Matters

Clients ask the same questions before their first appearance: which building, where to park, what to bring, and what will actually happen. Here are the answers for Suffolk County.

Which court hears my case?

Divorce actions are heard in the Supreme Court. In Suffolk, matrimonial and guardianship proceedings are heard predominantly at the Central Islip courthouse, while other civil matters are heard in Riverhead. A matrimonial case can decide every issue: the divorce itself, property, maintenance, child support, custody, and orders of protection between the spouses.

Custody, visitation, child support, paternity, family offense, and neglect proceedings between parties who are not divorcing, or where no divorce is pending, are heard in the Family Court. Suffolk has two Family Court locations, Central Islip and Riverhead, and cases are assigned by the residence of the parties. Family Court cannot grant a divorce or divide property.

Where a divorce is pending in Supreme Court and a Family Court petition is filed, the Supreme Court can take the Family Court matter into the divorce so that one judge decides everything.

Supreme Court, Central Islip

Hon. Marquette L. Floyd Supreme Court Building, John P. Cohalan Jr. Court Complex, 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, New York 11722. The matrimonial parts sit here under a supervising judge for matrimonial matters. The courthouse is off Carleton Avenue south of the Southern State Parkway, with parking on site. Allow time for security screening.

Supreme Court, Riverhead

Hon. Alan D. Oshrin, Supreme Court Building, 1 Court Street, Riverhead, New York 11901, telephone 631-740-3850. The County Clerk, where matrimonial actions are filed and where judgments are entered, is in Riverhead at 310 Center Drive. Certified copies of a judgment of divorce are obtained from the County Clerk.

Family Court, Central Islip

400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, New York 11722, telephone 631-740-3800. Petitions for custody, support, paternity, and family offenses for the western and central towns are filed and heard here. Support matters are heard first by a support magistrate.

Family Court, Riverhead

Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex, 210 Center Drive, Second Floor, Riverhead, New York 11901, telephone 631-852-3905. Petitions for the East End towns, Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island, Southampton, and East Hampton, are filed and heard here. Our office is in Riverhead and we appear here regularly.

What happens at a first appearance in Supreme Court?

The first appearance in a divorce is usually the preliminary conference, which the rules require within 45 days of a judge being assigned. Both parties must attend. You will meet in a conference room or courtroom with the court attorney or the judge, and the attorneys will go through the preliminary conference order: the issues, the discovery schedule, whether experts are needed, and the next date. Ten days before this conference, your Statement of Net Worth and financial documents must have been exchanged and filed, and your attorney's retainer agreement filed with them. If there are disputes about temporary support, the house, or the children, they will be discussed and, if not resolved, set for motion.

Dress as you would for an important meeting. Do not bring children unless directed. Do not speak to the other party or the other party's attorney unless your attorney tells you to. The conference is not a trial, and nothing you say there is testimony, but the judge is forming an impression.

What happens at a first appearance in Family Court?

Family Court is faster and less formal. The first appearance on a custody or family offense petition is before a judge or referee who will confirm that both sides have been served, ask whether the parties have attorneys, appoint an attorney for the child where appropriate, address any temporary order of protection, and set a date for a hearing or a conference. On a support petition, the first appearance is before a support magistrate, who will take financial information from both parties and can issue a temporary order on the spot. Bring your financial disclosure affidavit, pay stubs, and last tax return to a support appearance.

Family Court is a public building with a high volume of cases. Arrive early, expect to wait, and bring anything you need to occupy the time.

Virtual appearances

Since 2020, the Suffolk courts have conducted many conferences virtually and the practice continues for appropriate appearances. Whether an appearance is virtual or in person is decided by the judge and stated in the notice. Our office handles cases remotely for clients across the county and will tell you which appearances require your physical presence.

Mediation

Suffolk offers a voluntary matrimonial mediation program through the court. It is free or low-cost, it is confidential, and it works for parties who can sit in a room together and who both know what the assets are. Ask about it at the preliminary conference.

Call 516-928-5838 or use the contact form to schedule a free thirty-minute consultation. Our office is at 123 Maple Avenue in Riverhead.