New York: Three Petitions, Not One Vent
Late-night searches mash three jobs: start a custody/visitation case, change an order, or enforce one someone will not follow. Family Court cares about captions and form numbers; county and borough practice still decides filing channels, copies, and e-filing. Name the job in one sentence, then pick the GF lane.
| Job | Sanity check | Form | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start custody / visitation | No operative order yet, or you are initiating? | GF-17 | Open lane |
| Modify | Facts moved; you need new signed language? | GF-40 | Open lane |
| Enforce | Order is specific; other parent will not comply? | GF-41 | Open lane |
GF-17
Establish orders
First filing posture; proof comes in stages.
GF-40
Rewrite the calendar
Changed circumstances you can date.
GF-41
Hold the line
Order-matched misses, not a stealth modify.
New York procedure overviews
Statewide orientation: choose the lane that fits your case (custody modification, parenting time, child support, or enforcement) before you open a checklist page. Checklists live on the New York forms hub.
Weekend and exchange fights
Build the calendar story before GF-40 and GF-41 blur together. Start with New York enforcement and modification overviews when you are choosing a lane; add tools and general support below.
General support (not New York-specific)
Court paperwork playbooks: Custody court paperwork & responses (Resources).
New York FAQs
Why does New York keep saying petition instead of motion?
Family Court practice often routes custody and visitation through petition-style filings with their own form numbers. Language from a motion-only state can send you to the wrong packet.
Does GF-41 mean my whole case is enforcement?
It means you are asking the court to address non-compliance with an existing order. Proof still reads as line-and-date, not as a reopening of every fight since the order.
They will not follow Tuesdays but I also want new holidays. What do I do?
Split the jobs: compliance for the Tuesdays, modification for the holiday redesign. Mixed stories need a table so a reader sees which facts support which ask.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-03
MyCustodyCoach is not a law firm. Court rules, fees, and form versions change by county; confirm what applies to your case with official court resources or counsel you hire.