School Closings, Weather Emergencies, and Visitation in Suffolk County: Who Decides?

On Long Island, weather is never just background noise—it disrupts everything, including your court-ordered parenting schedule. Snowstorms, coastal flooding, and school closures can turn a simple visitation exchange into a heated debate.

In Suffolk County, parents in joint custody arrangements often assume “joint” means they both get to decide everything in an emergency. However, weather often exposes cracks in parenting plans that weren't written for real-life chaos. Suffolk County Family Court expects parents to follow orders exactly as written, and judges have little patience for those who use a storm as an excuse to deny parenting time.

Why Weather Disputes in Suffolk County Can Become Long Legal Battles

Custody and visitation disputes triggered by weather emergencies often extend over many months. This is especially true in Suffolk County, where cases are frequently extended over a significant period. Under the traditional hourly rate model used by most firms, you often end up paying an attorney to wait for hours in court just for the case to be called. This results in high fees with very little progress.

"I have worked my whole life and paid my own way, so I truly understand the concern about how much legal services cost," says Steven Zalewski. "I want my clients to be confident in their representation and not worry about being unable to finish their case because they can no longer afford it."

Transparent Flat-Fee Structure for Your Peace of Mind

To protect your rights without the stress of a ticking clock, I offer a clear flat-fee structure for all Family Court proceedings:

1. The Pre-Trial Fee: One set fee that covers all proceedings, filings, and appearances prior to trial, regardless of the number of court dates.
2. The Trial Fee: One set fee for the trial itself, which is due 30 days before the scheduled trial start date.

Whether you are dealing with a visitation violation or complex Neglect Matters during an emergency, this structure ensures you know your costs upfront. For those who need it, payment plan systems are available. My goal is to get you to court and get results.

Legal vs. Physical Custody in New York Emergencies

Joint legal custody covers major decisions like education and medical care, but weather emergencies usually fall under day-to-day parenting judgments.

• Physical Custody Rules: Unless your order says otherwise, day-to-day safety decisions default to the parent who currently has the child.
• Transportation Obligations: Judges take these seriously. Failing to attempt an exchange without a legitimate safety reason can be viewed as interference with visitation.

What Suffolk County Judges Expect From Parents

The court uses a "Reasonableness Standard." Judges look at travel advisories, road conditions, and the child's safety. If you must miss an exchange due to a state of emergency:

• Communicate immediately and provide proof (photos, road closures).
• Propose make-up time in good faith.
• Document everything.

If a parent repeatedly weaponizes the weather to disrupt your time, you may need to file a violation petition. In some cases, these disputes reveal that joint custody is no longer appropriate, potentially leading to a modification of the order.

Clarity. Confidence. Control.

Weather emergencies are unpredictable, but your legal fees shouldn't be. Suffolk County expects parents to put their child's safety first and foster a relationship with the other parent. With a predictable flat-fee model and an advocate who understands the value of results, you can protect your parenting time through any storm.

Contact Steven Zalewski, Esq. — Suffolk County Family Court Attorney

📞 Office: (516) 377-7830

📱 Cell (Fastest): (516) 660-4654

📧 Email: steve@zandzfamilylawyers.com

🏛 Address: 1601 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 500, Islandia, NY 11749

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