Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT)

Who We Are

Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT) is an innovative nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering unrepresented litigants with legal information and compassionate guidance so that they can successfully self-advocate in Family Court.

LIFT operates innovative, award-winning programs in the Family Courts and in the community. These programs promote positive outcomes for families and children and support the organization’s mission: to enhance access to justice for children and families by providing legal information, community education, and compassionate guidance, while promoting system-wide reform of the courts and public agencies.

LIFT serves 30,000 people each year.

How to Get Help

Phone, Email & Live Chat Helpline: Contact LIFT through the Helpline for family law and court information, and high-impact referrals to responsive services. The Helpline can be reached at (212) 343-1122 (Monday through Friday 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., and 2 p.m.- 5 p.m. EST). The Helpline accepts calls from New York State correctional facilities. All LIFT programs are free and open to everyone with questions regarding New York family law or Family Court matters. To ask a question online, please visit www.liftonline.org/hotline

Court Programs: Visit with a LIFT attorney for one-on-one legal advice, assistance in preparing court documents, and referrals for people without lawyers in child support, custody, and visitation cases. Located inside the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island Family Courthouses. Appointments can be scheduled through the Helpline.

Education & Information Sites: One-on-one legal information about Family Court proceedings and resources, access to LIFT’s Legal Resource Guides, and more. Located inside the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island Family Courthouses.

Legal Resource Guides: More than 30 step-by-step guides to Family Court and family law. Available in 8 languages. Available at LIFT’s Courthouse locations, or can be downloaded online at www.liftonline.org/guide/english

Who We Serve

Area(s): Statewide

Language(s) Spoken

• Spanish / Español

Circumstances and languages in which interpreters are provided

The Helpline and Court Programs can access a telephone interpretation service if needed for languages other than English and Spanish.

Is this organization accessible by wheelchair?: YES

Does this organization provide access for the hearing impaired?: NO

Type of Help

This group provides the following types of services based on your legal needs and its resources:

• Brief Advice
• Self-Help Materials