NYC Family Court Child Support Delays Persist, Though Wait Times Are Shrinking

Parents navigating New York City’s family court system to secure child support face a significantly more arduous path than their counterparts elsewhere in the state, according to a recent report from the nonprofit organization Her Justice. The study, which examined court data from 2019 through 2025, found that city residents waited an average of 10.5 months for a support order, compared to just 3.5 months in the rest of New York.

Child support petitions represent a substantial portion of the city's judicial workload, accounting for roughly 130,000 filings—or nearly 30% of all family court activity—last year. Rachel Braunstein, senior director of policy at Her Justice, noted that the high volume of cases, combined with pandemic-era backlogs and a lack of clarity for parents regarding required documentation, has historically hindered efficiency. For many families, these delays translate into prolonged financial instability, as parents are often forced to manage household expenses without the expected support while cases languish.

However, the report also identified a positive trend: average wait times have declined across all five boroughs between 2022 and 2025. Brooklyn, which previously saw the longest resolution periods, experienced a notable improvement, with average wait times dropping from over 18 months in 2022 to under 4.5 months by 2025.

Advocates suggest that the implementation of a triage program in Brooklyn family court may be a contributing factor to these gains, as the initiative is designed to help families navigate the complex filing process and move cases forward more effectively. While the Office of Court Administration did not provide details on the program's operations or its expansion to other courts, Her Justice is currently advocating for state legislation that would further expedite the process for parents seeking to avoid protracted litigation.

Despite these improvements, the human cost of the system remains a concern. For many, the process is described as emotionally taxing and financially draining, with long-term consequences for family stability. Her Justice’s findings underscore the ongoing challenges within the court system, even as recent procedural adjustments offer a glimmer of hope for faster resolutions.