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Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Child Support Cases
Call now: 516-660-4354
Establish, modify, or enforce child support in Suffolk County for a $3,500 flat fee. Steven Zalewski, Esq. handles CSSA calculations, add-ons, and Support Magistrate hearings, with your full cost fixed in writing before work begins.
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Flat-Fee Child Support Representation in Suffolk County
In New York, both parents must support their children until age 21 (or earlier emancipation), and the amount is driven by a statutory formula, the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). The formula sounds mechanical, but what counts as income, which add-ons apply, and when a court should deviate are exactly where cases are won and lost.
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C. handles child support petitions in Suffolk County Family Court for a $3,500 flat fee, whether you are seeking support, responding to a petition, or asking to modify an existing order. The number is fixed in writing before we start, and it does not grow with every phone call.
Flat-Fee Pricing · Suffolk County Family Court
Child Support Cases (FCA Article 4): $3,500 Flat Fee
Pre-Trial Flat Fee
$3,500
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
$3,500
Applies only if your support matter proceeds to a contested hearing before the Support Magistrate. Due 30 days before, in writing, in advance.
Fee fixed in writing before any work begins. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
How the CSSA Formula Works
The court combines both parents' gross incomes (after limited deductions such as FICA and support paid for other children), applies the statutory percentage for the number of children (17% for one child, 25% for two, 29% for three, 31% for four, and at least 35% for five or more) and allocates the result between the parents pro rata. The guideline percentages presumptively apply up to the statutory combined-income cap ($183,000 as of 2025); above the cap, the court has discretion.
"Income" is broader than a paycheck: bonuses, self-employment earnings, dividends, workers' compensation, and pensions all count, and courts can impute income to a parent who is underemployed on paper. On top of the basic obligation, the court divides mandatory add-ons (child care, health-insurance premiums, and unreimbursed medical costs) and may include private school or extracurriculars where appropriate.
Modification and Enforcement
An existing order can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances, when either parent's income changes by 15% or more, or when three years have passed since the last order. On the enforcement side, non-payment can trigger wage garnishment, seizure of tax refunds, license suspension, and even contempt proceedings. Whichever side of that equation you are on, the earlier you act, the more options you have.
Why a Flat Fee Fits Support Cases
Support litigation is document-heavy: financial disclosure affidavits, pay stubs, tax returns, and hearings before a Support Magistrate. Under hourly billing, every exchange of documents burns retainer. Our $3,500 flat fee covers the whole pre-trial process, and if your matter does proceed to a contested hearing, the trial fee is the same $3,500, quoted from day one. You will never pay more because the other parent drags their feet.
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
Unlimited calls and emails about your case with the attorney actually handling it, never a billing clock.
✓Support Petition or Response
Drafting, filing, and serving your support petition, or building your defense if you were served.
✓CSSA Calculation & Strategy
A plain-English breakdown of what the formula produces in your case, including income disputes, imputation, and cap issues.
✓Financial Disclosure
Preparation of your financial disclosure affidavit and hard review of the other parent's numbers.
✓Support Magistrate Appearances
Every routine appearance and conference before the Support Magistrate, handled personally.
✓Negotiated Resolutions
Pursuing fair stipulations on support and add-ons that comply with the CSSA and hold up in court.
Transparent Rates by Case Type
| Case Type | Pre-Trial Flat Fee | Trial Flat Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Child Support (FCA Art. 4) THIS CASE TYPE | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Orders of Protection (FCA Art. 8) | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Neglect (FCA Art. 10) | $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
Does the $3,500 flat fee cover modifications and enforcement too?
Yes, establishment, modification, and enforcement/violation petitions under Article 4 are each quoted at the same $3,500 flat fee for all pre-trial work within the retainer's scope.
What if the other parent hides income?
Challenging suspicious financials is part of the job, not an add-on. We use discovery and cross-examination of disclosure to push for income imputation, all within the flat fee.
When would I owe the trial fee?
Only if your matter proceeds to a contested hearing before the Support Magistrate. For child support the trial fee is $3,500, due 30 days before the hearing, and you will know that from your very first consultation.
How long does child support last in New York?
Generally until the child turns 21, unless the child is earlier emancipated: married, self-supporting, or in the military. Terminating or adjusting support still requires a court order, which we handle on the same flat-fee basis.
When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Fair Support, A Fixed Fee, No Surprises
One $3,500 flat fee covers your entire pre-trial child support case in Suffolk County Family Court, however many appearances it takes.
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
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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
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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.
