An appeal is a formal request that a higher court review a lower court’s order or judgment. It can result in a reversal of the entire lower court order, or just a part of it. Alternatively, the appellate court can “remand” or direct that the lower court re-determine the matter in a manner that conforms to the appellate court’s decision. If review is sought from a state Supreme Court judgment in a divorce case, or from a non-support order issued by the Family Court, the appellate court is the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court. There are four departments of the Appellate Division in New York State, divided by geographic area. Suffolk County and Nassau County are located in the Second Judicial Department. An appeal can be taken from a decision of the Appellate Division to the highest New York State court, the Court of Appeals.
