N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 422

§ 422. Persons who may originate proceedings. (a) A husband, wife,\nchild, or relative in need of public assistance or care may originate a\nproceeding under this article to compel a person chargeable with the\nsupport to support the petitioner as required by law. A social services\nofficial may originate a proceeding under this article if so authorized\nby section one hundred and two of the social services law. The\ncommissioner of mental health may originate a proceeding under this\narticle when authorized by article forty-three of the mental hygiene\nlaw. A parent or guardian, of a child, or other person in loco parentis,\nor a representative of an incorporated charitable or philanthropic\nsociety having a legitimate interest in the petitioner, or, when the\npetitioner is unable because of his physical or mental condition to file\na petition, a guardian ad litem, or a committee, conservator, next\nfriend or other person appointed by the court, may file a petition in\nbehalf of a dependent relative.\n (b) Any party to a decree of divorce, separation, or annulment may\noriginate a proceeding to enforce or modify a decree of the supreme\ncourt or a court of competent jurisdiction, not of the state of New\nYork, as is provided in part six of this article.\n