Types of Family Court Proceedings

• Child Support (F)
• Paternity (P)
• Custody & Visitation (V)
• PINS - Person in Need of Supervision (S)
• Family Offense (O)

Hint: The first letter in the Docket # of your case will tell you what type of proceeding it is. Correspond the letter in parentheses above.

Acceptable Methods of Service

• Nail & Mail is never permitted in Family Court without a court order directing it.
• Personal Delivery or Suitable Age Service is allowed for:
  - Child Support Summons (F)
  - Paternity Summons (P)
  - Custody/Visitation Summons (V)
  
  These must be served at least 8 days before the court date.
• Only personal delivery is permitted for:
  - PINS (S)
  - Family Offense (O)
  
  These must be served at least 24 hours before the court date.

• In place of a summons, an Order to Show Cause might be issued. The Order to Show Cause will specify the service deadline and permitted method of service. As a reminder, “personal service” does not mean “personal delivery” – the judge will specify one or the other.