Otsego County Courts

Family Court

The County Annex Building
32 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 607-322-3130
Fax: 607-240-5548
E-Mail: OtsegoFamilyCourt@nycourts.gov

Map

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(excluding state holidays)

All visitors must pass through a magnetometer upon entering the courthouse.

 

Introduction

The Family Court hears and determines most legal issues involving children and families. There is a Family Court within each county of the State which is authorized to hear matters relating to:

  • Article 6 - custody, visitation and guardianship
  • Article 4 - monetary support for children, spouses and ex-spouses
  • Article 5 - paternity
  • Article 8 - violence among family members
  • Article 3 - children accused of committing crimes (JD)
  • Article 7 - children in need of supervision (PINS)
  • Article 10 - abuse and neglect of children

The Family Court does not handle proceedings involving name changes (with the exception of when paternity is established), separation, annulment or divorce. These matters must be brought in the Supreme Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction of such issues.

For answers to frequently asked questions and access to petitions, please refer to www.nycourthelp.gov. To receive a petition by mail, put the request in writing and include a self-address stamped envelope or e-mail your request to OtsegoFamilyCourt@nycourts.gov. The Family Court office also has a public access computer available with access to petitions.

Judges/Magistrate's Chambers

Judge
Hon. John F. Lambert

Secretary
Stacey A. Johansen

Court Attorney
Mark N. Oursler

County Court Chambers
Otsego County Office Building
197 Main St., Suite 11
Cooperstown, NY13326
Phone: 607-322-3175
Fax: 607-240-5965


Judge
Hon. Michael F. Getman

Secretary
Beth Adams

Court Attorney 
Sarah E. Cowen

County Court Chambers
Otsego County Office Building
197 Main Street, Suite 13
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Phone: 607-322-3165
Fax: 607-240-5963


Support Magistrate
Richard E. Brown

Assistant
Susan Bush

Otsego County Family Court
The County Annex Building
32 Chestnut Street
Phone: 607-322-3132
Fax: 607-240-5548
 

Chief Clerks

Chief Clerk
Karen A. Nichols

Deputy Chief Clerk
Jill A. Butts

Otsego County Family Court
The County Annex Building
32 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY13326
Phone: 607-322-3130
Fax: 607-240-5548