7 Essential Facts About The New Nassau County Matrimonial Center Complex You Must Know In 2025
The Nassau County Matrimonial Center has recently undergone one of the most significant logistical and structural transformations in its history, marking a new era for family and matrimonial justice on Long Island. As of late 2024 and moving into December 26, 2025, the separate Matrimonial Center and Family Court facilities have been consolidated into a single, state-of-the-art complex in Mineola, a move that directly impacts every individual, attorney, and judicial staff member involved in divorce, separation, and other family-related legal proceedings in the county.
This major consolidation was designed to streamline the often-complex and emotionally taxing process of family law, bringing all necessary services and judicial personnel under one roof. Understanding the new location, the updated structure, and the specific services offered within this modern facility is crucial for navigating any matrimonial matter in Nassau County today. The new complex aims to provide a more efficient and less stressful environment for litigants during a challenging time in their lives.
The New Era: Consolidation and Location of the Matrimonial Center
For decades, families and legal counsel in Nassau County faced logistical challenges due to the separation of the Family Court in Westbury and the Matrimonial Center in Mineola. The recent unveiling of the new, unified judicial complex has solved this long-standing issue, creating a single hub for all family and matrimonial cases.
Key Location and Contact Information
- New Consolidated Address: 101 County Seat Drive, Mineola, NY 11501.
- Matrimonial Center Floor: Effective June 2, 2025, all pending and new Matrimonial matters are to be heard on the 3rd floor of the new Court Complex.
- Previous Location: The Matrimonial Center was previously located at 400 County Seat Drive, Mineola.
- Main Phone Number: 516-493-3444.
- Judicial District: 10th Judicial District—Nassau County.
A Unified Approach to Family Justice
The new complex at 101 County Seat Drive represents a "new era for family justice" by placing the Supreme Court Matrimonial Center and the Family Court under one roof. This consolidation means that cases requiring interaction between the two court systems—a common occurrence in complex divorce and custody disputes—can now be handled with significantly greater efficiency. This modern facility was the result of over a decade of planning and feasibility studies, transforming a disused municipal building into a central hub for legal services.
The Judicial Structure and Key Personnel
The Matrimonial Center operates under the authority of the New York State Supreme Court, responsible for presiding over all actions for divorce, annulment, and separation in Nassau County. The court’s structure is designed to assign complex cases to experienced judicial officers who specialize in family and matrimonial law.
Who Handles Your Matrimonial Case?
When a matrimonial case is filed at the Nassau County Matrimonial Center, it is assigned to one of three types of judicial officers:
- Justice of the Supreme Court: The highest-ranking judge who presides over all aspects of the divorce action, including trials and final judgments.
- Judicial Hearing Officer (JHO): Often a retired judge, a JHO is assigned to hear and determine specific issues within the case, such as equitable distribution or maintenance.
- Special Referee: An individual appointed by the court to hear and report findings on particular, often complex, matters of fact, such as an accounting of marital assets.
This tiered system ensures that each case receives the appropriate level of judicial attention and specialized expertise required for its unique circumstances.
Supervising Judge and Key Entities
As of the latest updates, the Matrimonial Center is overseen by dedicated judicial leadership. The Honorable Jeffrey A. Goodstein currently serves as the Supervising Judge of the Matrimonial Center, with Steven Maffei, Esq., serving as his Law Clerk. Other Justices presiding over matrimonial matters include the Hon. Stacy D. Bennett. These individuals are central to the court's operations and the administration of justice in matrimonial matters.
Essential Services and Resources for Litigants
Navigating a matrimonial action requires access to specific forms, procedural guidance, and support services. The Matrimonial Center provides several essential resources to assist self-represented litigants and attorneys alike.
Matrimonial Forms and Procedures
The court makes various forms available to initiate and proceed with a divorce action. These forms are crucial for filing, requesting financial disclosure, and finalizing a judgment. Litigants should always refer to the official New York State Unified Court System website for the most current and accurate Matrimonial Forms for Nassau County. Common forms include:
- Summons with Notice/Complaint
- Net Worth Statement
- Request for Judicial Intervention (RJI)
- Stipulation of Settlement
- Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
The new complex provides dedicated spaces for filing, allowing for a more streamlined submission process directly on the 3rd floor.
Support for Complex Cases: Article 81 Guardianship Matters
In addition to traditional divorce and separation cases, the Matrimonial Center also handles Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81 Guardianship matters. These cases involve appointing a guardian for an individual who is incapacitated and cannot manage their own affairs. The consolidation ensures that these sensitive matters, which often intertwine with financial and family disputes, are handled within the same specialized judicial environment.
Access to Legal and Social Services
While the court cannot provide legal advice, the unified complex facilitates better access to external legal and social services. Organizations like Legal Services of Long Island often coordinate with the Supreme Court and Matrimonial Center to provide assistance, particularly in complex cases or for those who qualify for free legal aid. This integrated approach is a major benefit of the new facility, ensuring that litigants have a clearer path to support resources.
Topical Authority Entities in Nassau County Matrimonial Law
To fully understand the ecosystem of matrimonial law in Nassau County, it is important to be aware of the key legal and governmental entities that interact with the Matrimonial Center. These entities form the complete picture of divorce and family law in the region:
- New York State Supreme Court, 10th Judicial District
- Nassau County Family Court (now co-located with the Matrimonial Center)
- Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA)
- Legal Services of Long Island (LSLI)
- Judicial Hearing Officers (JHOs)
- Special Referees
- Mental Hygiene Law (MHL) Article 81
- Equitable Distribution
- Child Custody and Visitation
- Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
- Mineola Court Complex
- 400 County Seat Drive (Former Location)
- 101 County Seat Drive (New Location)
- Uncontested Divorce Proceedings
- Contested Divorce Trials
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Post-Judgment Enforcement
- Hon. Jeffrey A. Goodstein
The establishment of the new complex at 101 County Seat Drive represents a major step forward in modernizing the judicial process for the residents of Nassau County, providing a more cohesive and efficient environment for resolving their most personal and significant legal challenges.
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