Domestic Violence Law
Empowering survivors of intimate partner violence to achieve safety and stability.
Intimate partner violence is more than a “personal matter.” It’s an urgent societal issue that must be addressed. Often survivors feel trapped in an abusive relationship, unsure of the options available to help them and their children be safer. Our attorneys work with survivors, offering them client-centered, trauma-informed representation so that they can build stable, independent lives free from violence.
NYLAG’s attorneys and paralegals in the Domestic Violence Law Unit work with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking, within all communities, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
3,400
survivors of intimate partner violence worked with NYLAG on orders of protection, divorce, and custody issues last year
Services
Our attorneys will fight for survivors and their children. We offer the following legal services:
- Creating safety plans
- Obtaining and enforcing orders of protection
- Representing clients in contested and uncontested divorce proceedings
- Advocating for a fair and just division of assets and financial support
- Obtaining and enforcing orders for child and spousal support
- Securing or maintaining custody of the children
- Securing safe visitation
- Assisting in child protection cases to keep children safe
- Defending against abusive tactics, such as false arrests and false filings
- Working with immigrant survivors to secure legal status
- Representing survivors in appeals in Family and Supreme Court
- Advocating for survivors in the criminal and civil justice system
Need free legal services or financial counseling?
Help us provide free legal help to survivors.
NYLAG protects and advances the rights of New Yorkers.
Who Defines Survival
A reflection on Domestic Violence Awareness Month from NYLAG President & CEO, Lisa Rivera.
STATEMENT: Victim Service Providers and Advocates Applaud Governor’s $120M in Victim Assistance Funding
As an organization that serves domestic violence survivors, we are part of a coalition of service providers who had been calling on New York State to offset the cuts to Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding – which we rely on in our Domestic Violence Law Unit – to ensure that we could continue addressing survivors’ legal needs with the unique expertise and care they deserve. We’re grateful Governor Hochul heard our call.
Testimony: Understanding Financial Abuse as a Form of Intimate Partner Violence
NYLAG’ Senior Supervising Attorney Tuozhi Lorna Zhen testified before the New York City Council Committee on Women and Gender Equity and the Committee on Civil and Human Rights about the realities and impacts of financial abuse.
