When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Abuse and Neglect Cases
Call now: 516-660-4354
Facing a CPS investigation or an Article 10 petition in Suffolk County? Steven Zalewski, Esq. defends parents for one $7,500 flat fee, fixed in writing before work begins, with a trial fee only if your case reaches a hearing.
"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.
Flat-Fee Defense in CPS Abuse & Neglect Cases (Article 10)
Few moments are more frightening for a parent than a knock on the door from Child Protective Services. When CPS files a petition under Article 10 of the Family Court Act, your parental rights, and sometimes your child's placement, are immediately on the line.
At Zacarese & Zalewski P.C., we believe the last thing a parent in crisis needs is an unpredictable legal bill. That is why we defend Article 10 cases in Suffolk County for one flat fee of $7,500, agreed in writing before we lift a finger. You focus on your family; we handle the court.
Flat-Fee Pricing · Suffolk County Family Court
Abuse & Neglect Defense (FCA Article 10): $7,500 Flat Fee
Pre-Trial Flat Fee
$7,500
One fee, fixed in writing before any work begins. Covers filings, conferences, negotiations and court appearances within scope, no hourly meter.
Trial Fee: Only If Needed
$7,500
Due 30 days before your fact-finding hearing. Covers preparation and the hearing itself, no hourly surprises at the worst possible moment.
Fee fixed in writing before any work begins. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
How New York Defines Abuse and Neglect
Article 10 proceedings are civil, not criminal. Under FCA §1012, a child may be found abused where a parent or caretaker inflicts serious physical injury, creates a substantial risk of such injury, or commits a sex offense against the child. A finding of neglect requires proof that the child's physical, mental, or emotional condition was impaired, or placed in imminent danger of impairment, because the parent failed to exercise a minimum degree of care. Typical allegations involve inadequate supervision, unaddressed medical needs, excessive corporal punishment, educational neglect, or substance misuse that affects parenting.
What Happens After a CPS Report
Most cases start with a call to the State Central Register (the "hotline"), often from a mandated reporter such as a teacher or physician. CPS then investigates (interviews, home visits, safety assessments) and marks the report indicated or unfounded. If CPS believes court intervention is needed, it files a petition in Suffolk County Family Court.
From there, the case typically moves through an initial appearance, possible emergency removal hearings under FCA §1027 or §1028, a fact-finding hearing where the agency must prove its allegations by a preponderance of the evidence, and, if a finding is made, a dispositional hearing that decides supervision, services, or placement. If a child remains in foster care, permanency hearings follow, and prolonged placement can eventually expose a parent to a termination of parental rights petition. Early, aggressive representation exists precisely to keep your case from ever traveling that far.
Why Speed Matters, and Why Hourly Billing Fails Parents Here
Article 10 cases move fast: a §1028 hearing to return a removed child must be held within days. Parents billed by the hour often hesitate to call their lawyer at exactly the moments that decide these cases. With our flat fee, every call, conference, and court appearance is already covered, so you never have to weigh your child's case against a billing clock.
What Your Flat Fee Covers
Everything below is included in the pre-trial flat fee, spelled out in a plain-English written retainer before any work begins.
✓Direct Attorney Access
Speak with Steven Zalewski directly, same-day call-backs whenever possible, with no billing meter on any conversation.
✓CPS Investigation Guidance
Advice from the first CPS contact: what to say, what to sign, and how to protect yourself before a petition is ever filed.
✓Emergency Removal Hearings
Immediate §1027 / §1028 hearings to fight removal or bring your child home from temporary foster care.
✓All Pre-Trial Appearances
Every conference and routine appearance in Suffolk County Family Court, handled personally, one fee no matter how many.
✓Answer, Motions & Discovery
Drafting and filing responsive papers, motions, and discovery demands that test the agency's evidence.
✓Negotiation With CPS/DSS
Pursuing adjournments in contemplation of dismissal, service plans, and resolutions that keep families together.
Transparent Rates by Case Type
| Case Type | Pre-Trial Flat Fee | Trial Flat Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Child Support (FCA Art. 4) | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Orders of Protection (FCA Art. 8) | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Neglect (FCA Art. 10) THIS CASE TYPE | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| All Others (Paternity, Custody, Family Offense, Grandparent Custody, etc.) | $5,000 | $7,500 |
Pre-trial covers all work before testimony begins: filings, conferences, negotiations, and appearances within scope. If your matter proceeds to trial or a contested hearing, the trial fee applies to preparation and the hearing itself, and is due 30 days before the scheduled date. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
Flat Fee vs. Hourly Billing
Our Approach
Flat Fee
- Your full cost is agreed in writing before any work begins.
- Call or email your attorney freely; no clock running.
- One pre-trial fee, no matter how many appearances your case takes.
- Our incentive: resolve your case efficiently, in your favor.
The Common Way
Hourly Billing
- Cost unknown until the bill arrives.
- Hesitation to call because every minute is billable.
- Retainer drained, replenished, drained again.
- Surprise add-ons for filings, copies and minor tasks.
Flat-Fee FAQ
Is $7,500 really the entire pre-trial cost?
Yes. The $7,500 flat fee covers all pre-trial work within the scope of your written retainer (filings, conferences, negotiations, and appearances), no matter how many court dates your case requires. Only third-party expenses such as filing fees or transcripts are separate.
What if my case goes to a fact-finding hearing?
If the agency will not resolve the case fairly and your matter proceeds to a contested hearing, a separate $7,500 trial fee applies. It is quoted in writing from day one and due 30 days before the hearing, covering both preparation and the hearing itself.
CPS just showed up. Should I talk to them before hiring a lawyer?
Anything you say or sign can shape the entire case. Call us first, advising you during the investigation stage is part of the flat fee, and early guidance often prevents a petition from being filed at all.
Can you help if my child was already removed?
Yes. We can demand a prompt hearing under FCA §1028 to seek your child's return, often within days. Tell us immediately, because these timelines are short.
When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Your Family Is Worth Fighting For, At a Price You Know Up Front
One $7,500 flat fee for the entire pre-trial defense of your Article 10 case. Fixed in writing before we begin, so the only fight is the one that matters.
Call · 516-660-4354Fast call-backs, often the same day. Next-day court appearances are often possible.
Contact Steven Zalewski, Esq.
Call: 516-660-4354
Office: (516) 377-7830
Email: steve@zandzfamilylawyers.com
Address: 1601 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 500, Islandia, NY 11749
Learn More
Disclaimer
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every family's situation is different, and court procedures change. Flat-fee amounts describe our standard fee structure; your written retainer agreement controls the scope and fee for your specific matter. Consult a qualified attorney about your case.
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.
