When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Family Court Lawyer Who Stays On Your Case | Suffolk County NY
Call now: 516-660-4354
"He didn't just win my case. He gave me back my future, my peace of mind, and my ability to breathe again."
From the very first conversation, he changed everything. He didn't just see a case, he saw me, and treated me like family. His knowledge of the law was unmatched, but what truly set him apart was his humanity. If you are looking for a lawyer, stop searching right now.
Family Court cases don't wrap up in one afternoon. In Suffolk County, a custody dispute, a support modification, or a neglect proceeding can stretch across months of appearances, filings, adjournments, and unexpected developments. Every time something new comes up, your lawyer needs to be ready. Not scrambling to remember your file. Not calling you back three days later. Ready.
That's the part most people don't think about when they hire a lawyer. They focus on the first consultation, the first court date, and the initial cost. What they don't always ask is: who is going to be handling my case six months from now when things get complicated? Is that person available? Are they prepared? And what's it going to cost me every time I need them?
My name is Steven Zalewski. I've been practicing Family Court law in Suffolk County my entire career, and I've built my practice around one simple idea: when you hire me, I'm with you for the whole case. Not just the easy parts. Not just the parts that fit neatly into a billing cycle. All of it. Your children, your family, and your future deserve nothing less.
What "Staying on Your Case" Actually Means
A lot of lawyers will tell you they're committed to your case. What that looks like in practice is a different story.
Staying on your case means more than showing up when you're on the calendar. It means knowing your file cold every time we walk into that courtroom, following up when something changes, and being reachable when you have a question between appearances. Family Court cases shift constantly. New filings come in. Circumstances change. The other side makes a move you didn't expect. When that happens, you need a lawyer who is already up to speed, not one who needs to reread your file the night before the next court date.
What real engagement looks like in Suffolk County Family Court
- Reviewing every order, motion, and filing as it comes in
- Preparing for each appearance based on what actually happened at the last one
- Communicating with clients between court dates, not just on the day of
- Anticipating what the other side is likely to do next
- Being available by phone when something urgent comes up
That's what I do. It's not extraordinary. It should be the standard. Unfortunately, it isn't always.
The Zalewski Flat Fee: You Know What You're Paying Before You Start
No retainers. No hourly surprises. One number, all appearances.
The single biggest source of stress for Family Court clients, beyond the case itself, is money. Specifically, not knowing how much the case is going to cost by the time it's over. Hourly rates and retainers that run out mid-case leave families in an impossible position: do you keep paying to fight for your children, or do you pull back because you can't afford another invoice?
I don't bill that way. My fee covers the entire pre-trial phase, all appearances included. If the case goes to trial, there is a separate flat fee for that. But you know that number up front. There's no running clock, no invoice for every email, and no moment where you have to decide whether you can afford to call me.
Current flat fee structure
- Child support matters: $3,500 pre-trial / $3,500 trial
- Neglect matters: $7,500 pre-trial / $7,500 trial
- All other Family Court matters: $5,000 pre-trial / $5,000 trial
Payment plans are available. I want to make sure that cost is not the reason someone can't get the representation they need.
Discounted pricing for those who serve
Veterans, active military, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and volunteer fire department members receive preferred pricing. If you serve or have served, call me directly and we'll talk about what that looks like for your situation.
The Practice Areas Where You Need a Lawyer Who Shows Up
Child custody and visitation
Custody cases rarely resolve in one appearance. Parenting schedules, living arrangements, and decision-making authority all take time to work out, and circumstances change. I stay on top of every development so that when something shifts, we're ready to respond.
Child support
Support orders can be modified when income or circumstances change, but those modifications don't happen automatically. Someone has to file, appear, and argue the case. I handle the full process, not just the initial order.
Orders of protection and family offense proceedings
Under Article 8 of the New York Family Court Act, these cases can move quickly and carry serious consequences. When an order of protection is on the table, you need a lawyer who understands the procedural requirements and is ready to advocate at every stage.
Paternity
Establishing or contesting paternity affects custody, support, and a child's long-term relationship with both parents. These cases require careful attention and someone who knows how Suffolk County Family Court handles them.
Neglect and abuse matters
These are high-stakes proceedings with real consequences for families. If you or your child is involved in a neglect or abuse case, having experienced representation from the very first appearance is not optional.
Grandparents' rights
Grandparents seeking custody or visitation rights face a specific legal standard in New York, and the cases can be complex. I have experience representing grandparents in Suffolk County and understanding what the court looks for in these matters.
Modifications and enforcement
Existing court orders get violated. Circumstances change and orders need to be updated. Both situations require going back to court with a clear, prepared argument. I handle modifications and enforcement proceedings as part of my regular practice.
What Makes Steve Different From Other Family Court Lawyers
A real trial lawyer, not just a negotiator
A lot of family law attorneys settle cases because going to trial is time-consuming, complicated, and uncertain. I don't shy away from trial. When the right outcome for my client requires a judge to hear the case and make a decision, I'm prepared to try it. That willingness to go to trial changes how the other side approaches negotiation. When opposing counsel knows your lawyer actually tries cases, the dynamic shifts.
"I guarantee you will be heard."
That's not a marketing line. It's a commitment I make to every client. When you hire me, you're not going to feel like a case number. You're going to know that your side of the story has been heard by me, understood by me, and argued by me in court. That's what you're paying for.
Suffolk County is the only place I practice
I don't spread myself across multiple counties or dabble in other areas of law. Family Court in Suffolk County is my entire practice. When you hire me, you're getting someone whose entire professional life has been spent in the same courts where your case will be decided.
The bow tie means something
If you've seen me in court or around the courthouse, you know the bow tie. It's not a quirk. It's a deliberate choice to show up as myself, not as a generic version of what a lawyer is supposed to look like. I think clients deserve a lawyer with a real identity and a real point of view. That's what you get with me.
A Lawyer Who Is Still There When It Counts
Winning a Family Court case is rarely about one dramatic moment in front of a judge. It's about preparation, persistence, and having someone in your corner who treats your case with the same urgency on the fifteenth appearance that they brought to the first one. That's what I've spent my career doing.
My clients don't get passed off to a paralegal. They don't get handed a file number and a form letter. They get me, directly, consistently, from the first phone call to the final order. That's the practice I built and it's the only way I know how to do this work.
Ready to Talk? Call Steve Directly.
Suffolk County Family Court moves fast. If you have a case, a court date coming up, or a situation that's getting worse by the day, don't wait to figure out your next step. Call me directly. I'll call you back within 30 minutes, and we'll talk through where things stand and what your options are.
Flat fees. All appearances covered. Real trial experience. Suffolk County Family Court, start to finish.
📧 steve@zandzfamilylawyers.com
📍 1601 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 500, Islandia, NY 11749
i guarantee you will be heard
Ready to Take the Next Step?
At Zacarese & Zalewski P.C., when something isn’t right, say something—and we’ll do something about it with you.
Our flat-fee structure is clear: one flat fee for pre-trial work, and a trial fee only if your case goes to trial or a hearing. Call now and a professional will return your call quickly; if we miss you, we'll call back the same day.
