In New York, this type of substitute motion is called an "Order to Show Cause." An order to show cause can be heard anytime the court directs, even fewer than the usual eight days, and even as short as a few hours later, if the court is convinced there's a real emergency.
You may choose to file your own Family Court petition. To do so, go to the website listed below and choose the type of petition you want to file. Completed petitions must be filed with the General Clerk of the Family Court (631-853-4289).
In some circumstances, you file a petition or a motion. The court has several complaint forms that you may use in drafting your complaint. The forms are available online and at the Pro Se Intake Unit. You may also write your own complaint without using a court form.
To file a motion for contempt in New York, certain criteria must be met. There must be an existing order of the court that is clear and unambiguous, and the accused must be proven to have known about this order and willfully disobeyed it.
A custodial parent may file a petition with their local child support agency. That petition will then be forwarded to the New York City Law Department office in the county where the non-custodial parent resides. This matter will then be litigated in the New York City Family Court located in the same borough.