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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.
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.
Transparent Rates by Case Type
Flat Fee vs. Hourly Billing
Flat-Fee FAQ
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.
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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.
