New York · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in New York: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for New York, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in New York

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$10,000
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$10–$20
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in New York

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
14 days
Security deposit limit
1 month's rent (with exceptions)
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
14 days
Notice before the landlord enters
No statute

Cities with their own rules: New York City

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in New York

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
New York State Department of Labor
Minimum wage (2026)
$16.00
Final paycheck if fired
Next payday
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in New York

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
24 mo / 18,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
Yes
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in New York

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Grievance Day (usually 4th Tue in May)
Where you appeal first
Board of Assessment Review (BAR) - Grievance Day
Median effective tax rate
1.55%
Median yearly tax on a home
$6,582

Closed for 2026Closed for 2026 in most towns. The next windows open in 2027: villages in February, Nassau County and New York City by March, most towns on Grievance Day in May. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in New York

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$30,000
Homestead deadline
See the guide
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
Full exemption

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in New York

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
New York State Office of Unclaimed Funds
Held by the state
See the guide
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in New York

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
2 years (with exceptions)
Waiting period
No set waiting period
Filing fee
About $335

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in New York

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in New York
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit14 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent14 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedNext paydayWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period24 mo / 18,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineFile suit within 4 years of the original delivery of the vehicle to the consumer (N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 198-a(j)).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealGrievance Day (usually 4th Tue in May)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineSee the guideExemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file2 years (with exceptions)Divorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting periodNo set waiting periodDivorce Law Map

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