It’s Time to Simplify the New York State Courts

What Is Court Simplification?

Court simplification will remove the barriers that impact litigants, families, victims, local government, small business, lawyers, nonprofit organizations, judges and court personnel and anyone who uses the courts because it will integrate the courts in a way that eliminates the need to go to different courts for different yet related issues.

This multiple court system creates confusion among the people the courts are supposed to serve, gives judges only partial ability to see the full picture of the case, wastes time for litigants which often results in loss of work and wages, and generates a system that is difficult, if not impossible, to understand.

Learn How Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s Proposes to Modernize the NYS Court System

• Useless Motions

  Summary:

  A mother is the custodial parent of two teenagers.

  She seeks to modify  a custody and visitation order from Family Court because the father is in prison for severe domestic violence against another partner and the children no longer wish to visit their father in prison every month.Continue Reading

• An Emergency Gone Awry

  Summary:

  A woman and her wife had entered into a valid separation agreement awarding the client maintenance in excess of the statutory amount. When deciding on spousal support, the Family Court refused to honor the valid agreement of the parties because it was drafted in contemplation of divorce, and divorces are not decided in Family Court.Continue Reading