White Plains Family Lawyer

Family Law and Divorce Representation in White Plains, NY

When a custody disagreement, an unpaid support obligation, or a safety concern at home becomes a court case, the decisions made in a White Plains courtroom could shape your family’s future. Do not leave your family’s fate in the hands of someone who doesn’t understand our local area or the consequences of getting things wrong. 

Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP represents clients in White Plains and throughout Westchester County in family law and divorce matters. Our family law attorneys provide individualized guidance for matters involving divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, and other family-related proceedings.

From our office at One North Broadway, our attorneys guide clients through child custody and visitation, child support, family offense petitions, and divorce. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your circumstances and potential legal options.

Family Court Matters in White Plains

The Westchester County Family Court in White Plains is located at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The court handles a range of legal matters involving children and families, including child custody, visitation, child support, family offenses, adoption, guardianship, child abuse and neglect, foster care matters, and juvenile delinquency. The White Plains court is part of New York's 9th Judicial District and operates Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP represents clients in Family Court matters involving:

• Child custody and visitation
• Child support and support modifications
• Paternity
• Family offense proceedings and orders of protection
• Domestic violence matters
• Child neglect and abuse
• Foster care proceedings
• Adoption
• Termination of parental rights
• Interstate support
• Violation petitions
• Juvenile delinquency

Family Court proceedings generally begin when a party files a petition with the clerk's office. The opposing party must then be properly served according to the applicable requirements. Hearings and trials are decided by the court rather than a jury.

Because the circumstances of every family matter are different, an attorney can help you understand the particular procedures and issues that apply to your case before you take action.

Why White Plains Families Choose Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP

Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined experience to every case. Members of our firm have been selected for New York Super Lawyers®, a distinction reserved for the top 5% of attorneys, and the firm has received the Avvo Clients’ Choice Award for Family Law.

Our family law attorneys regularly appear in every Westchester County Family Court. That familiarity with local procedure helps us prepare you for each appearance, explain what to expect, and build a strategy around your goals, whether that means negotiating a settlement or presenting your case at trial. Every new client starts with a free initial consultation.

How a Family Court Case Moves Forward in White Plains

A Family Court proceeding begins when a party files a petition with the clerk’s office. Each case type receives a docket letter, such as “V” for custody and visitation or “P” for paternity.

After filing, the other party must be formally served with the summons and petition. A non-party who is at least 18 years old completes the service, followed by a notarized affidavit of service. Mistakes at this stage delay a case, so our attorneys make sure service is handled correctly from the start.

Judges and referees in White Plains routinely encourage settlement conferences and alternative dispute resolution before a full trial, which lowers emotional strain and legal costs. When an agreement is not possible, the case proceeds to a hearing or trial.

Two standards shape most Family Court outcomes:

• Custody and visitation: Decisions rest on the best interests of the child. The court weighs factors such as primary caretaking, each parent’s home environment, work schedules, and safety.
• Child support: Support is calculated under New York’s Child Support Standards Act and Family Court Act § 413, using combined parental income and each parent’s financial disclosures.

Our attorneys prepare the evidence and financial documentation each standard requires, so the court has a full picture of your family’s circumstances. If circumstances change after an order is in place, we also handle modification of child support.

Divorce in White Plains Goes to Westchester County Supreme Court

Many people are surprised to learn that the Family Court cannot grant a divorce. Divorces, annulments, and legal separations must be filed in the New York State Supreme Court, as the Fund for Modern Courts’ guide to Family Court and the New York State Unified Court System’s divorce FAQs explain. In Westchester County, divorce matters are heard on the 10th floor of the Westchester County Courthouse at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Westchester’s matrimonial process has several local features:

• Service deadline: After a Summons with Notice or a Summons and Verified Complaint is filed with the County Clerk, your spouse must be personally served in hand within 120 days, unless the court approves an extension or an alternate service method.
• The Court Attorney Referee (CAR) system: During discovery, you and your attorney typically meet with a Court Attorney Referee rather than a judge. The CAR oversees the exchange of financial documents, coordinates discovery, and manages initial conferences.
• Motion practice: Attorneys cannot freely file routine motions. They often must first obtain permission or proceed through the CAR or local matrimonial part rules, which exist to reduce court backlogs.

Our firm handles contested and uncontested divorce, equitable distribution, spousal maintenance, and pendente lite motions within this framework. For more on what appearing in this courthouse involves, read our post on Westchester County divorce court appearances.

A White Plains Family Lawyer Who Understands the Local Court System

Choosing a family lawyer means choosing someone to help you navigate both the legal issues and the procedures surrounding your case. For White Plains residents, that includes understanding the distinction between Westchester County Family Court and Westchester County Supreme Court and knowing which court addresses the particular issue involved.

Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP has more than 100 years of combined legal experience and represents clients in family law matters throughout Westchester County. Our attorneys work closely with clients to understand their circumstances, explain their options, and develop an approach tailored to their legal needs.

Family matters do not always have to be resolved through a trial. Depending on the circumstances, negotiation, settlement, or mediation may provide a path toward resolving disputed issues. When litigation is necessary, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for our clients in court.

Speak With a White Plains Family Lawyer

If you are dealing with a divorce, custody dispute, child support issue, family offense proceeding, or another family law matter in White Plains, understanding your legal options is an important first step. The Westchester County Family Court is part of New York’s 9th Judicial District and operates satellite locations in Yonkers and New Rochelle in addition to White Plains. Our attorneys appear in all three, so your case receives the same representation wherever it is assigned.

Talk to a White Plains family lawyer today. Call Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP at (914) 840-5104 or contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation.