Family Court Providence| J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex- FAMILY COURT (Providence County)
Is the new parking garage at Providence Family Court for the public?
Yes. The garage only accepts credit cards and no cash payments are accepted, at this time. The driver takes a ticket and pays when leaving depending on how much time parked. The parking garage is adjacent to the Garrahy Judicial Complex. The garage is mammoth. Monday through Friday, the garage is usually packed with cars but there are available spaces. The parking is often used by judges, magistrates and state Employees who work at the Garrahy Complex. The garage is also be used by DCYF and other local businesses. The family courthouse providence ri does not offer any free parking for litigants and people utilizing the Courthouse. Because of recent development in the area, it is very difficult to find street parking from m-f 9-4. If you want to find street parking your best bet is to arrive to Court before 8:30am.
How is the food at the cafeteria in the Garrahy Judicial Complex ( Family Court Providence RI) ?
Update 3/27/2025 – *The cafeteria has reopened at Providence Family Court. The food on site is decent. They offer bagels, coffee (Iced and hot), yogurt, blt sandwiches, hot dogs and excellent soups. They also have an array of chips, cookies, snacks and candy.
How is the ambiance at Providence Family Court (Providence courthouse) ?
The ambiance on the 5th floor leaves little to be desired. At peak hours from 9 am to 11:30 am, the place is busy but not packed. After Covid 19, the place is less busy. There are very few conference rooms and it is not uncommon to hear people yelling at each other.
Is there a library at the Courthouse?
There is a space that is called a library but the books have not been updated for over 20 years. Perhaps, the RI general law books have been updated? This “library” is a complete embarrassment. There are two computers available for lawyers and the general public in the library. These computers are VERY outdated and slow. However, they can be used to print out materials on a printer that is available to the public. Each copy costs 20 cents. There is also a copy machine available to the public and to attorneys. There are a few big tables at the “library” to work at. After a brawl several years ago on the 6th Floor, they stopped allowing conferences in the library or on the 6th floor. Some guy pummeled someone on the sixth floor and there was no security. It took too long for security to get to 6th floor. As a result, conferences are banned on the 6th floor.
Where is the Family Court in the Garrahy Judicial Complex?
Most of the Family Court courtrooms are located on the 5th floor. However, the domestic abuse calendar is on the 3rd floor (Courtroom 3C) The Family Court domestic relations clerks office is on the 2nd floor. The domestic abuse advocate’s office is on the 2nd floor. The Child Support/Collections Department a.k.a Reciprocal clerk is on the 2nd floor.
The Juvenile clerk’s office – The Juvenile Clerk’s Office is on the Second Floor. Drug testing as well as supervised visits are on the 3rd floor.
Cities and Towns in Providence County | family courthouse providence ri
(Providence County Family Court includes Bristol County and the following RI towns and Cities: Burrillville, Central Falls, Cranston, Cumberland, East Providence, Gloucester, Johnston, Foster, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, North Smithfield, Pawtucket, Providence, Scituate, Smithfield, Woonsocket, Barrington, Bristol, Warren)
Please contact Providence Family Court Attorney David Slepkow if you need legal help.
Contact Information | Providence Family Court , RI Family Court
- Office of Domestic Relations – Divorce, Custody-(401) 458-3200
- Office of Juvenile Justice – Juvenile Matters, Adoptions – (401) 458-3290
- Juvenile Services/Intake – Juvenile Wayward/Delinquent –(401) 458-3250
- Reciprocal/Bookkeeping – Child Support, Preparation of cases for Court- (401) 458-3100
- Family Services – Investigation/Home Visits, Supervised Visitation – 401) 458-5026
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) – (401) 458-3330
JUDICIAL ROSTER- RI Family Court (Includes Kent County, Newport County and Washington County)
FAMILY COURT –
- 1 Chief Judge,
- 11 Associate Justices,
- Total Family 21
- 1 General Magistrate,
- 8 Magistrates
J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex, One Dorrance Plaza, Providence, RI 02903 (401) 458-5310
“Today the Rhode Island Family Court consists of a Chief Judge, eleven (11) Associate Justices, a General Magistrate, and eight (8) Magistrates. The Family Court employs approximately 165 persons including all department personnel, court reporters, judges, and magistrates. In 1981, the Rhode Island Family Court moved into the newly constructed Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence, a six story building designed and constructed specifically for use as a courthouse. The building also houses other state judicial entities including the District and Workers’ Compensation Courts. (The state’s Superior and Supreme Courts are housed in separate courthouses.) The Family Court has offices in three (3) county courthouses” Courts RI
List of Rhode Island Family Court Associate Justices, Magistrates and General Magistrate- Part of RI judiciary.
Chief Judge Michael B. Forte
Associate Justice Laureen D’Ambra
Associate Justice Debra E. DiSegna
Associate Justice Karen Lynch Bernard
Associate Justice Sandra Lanni
Associate Justice Lia N. Stuhlsatz
Associate Justice Feidlim Gill
Associate Justice Richard A. Merola
Associate Justice Elizbeth Ortiz Whited
Associate Justice Shilpa Naik
Associate Justice Jeanine P. McConaghy
General Magistrate Daniel V. Ballirano
Magistrate Jeanne L. Shepard
Magistrate Angela M. Paulhus
Magistrate Edward H. Newman
Magistrate Paul T. Jones, Jr.
Magistrate Andrea M. Iannazzi
Magistrate Alberto Aponte Cardona
Magistrate Denise C. Finkelman
Magistrate Samantha Polisena
Magistrate Ronald Cascione
Magistrate Susan Nahabedian