When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Custody Cases
Call now: 516-660-4354
Fight for your children with a $5,000 flat fee for all pre-trial custody work in Suffolk County Family Court, and a $7,500 trial fee only if your case actually goes to trial. Steven Zalewski, Esq. handles legal and physical custody, 50/50 arrangements, and enforcement.
"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 Child Custody Representation in Suffolk County
Custody cases are decided under Article 6 of the Family Court Act, and every decision comes back to a single question: what arrangement serves the best interests of the child? Nothing you will ever litigate matters more, and nothing is more poisoned by the fear of an open-ended legal bill.
That is why Zacarese & Zalewski P.C. handles custody cases for a $5,000 flat fee covering all pre-trial work. If, and only if, your case actually goes to trial, a $7,500 trial fee applies, quoted in writing before we ever begin. You will never have to choose between calling your lawyer and paying for it.
Flat-Fee Pricing · Suffolk County Family Court
Child Custody Cases (FCA Article 6): $5,000 Flat Fee
Pre-Trial Flat Fee
$5,000
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
Applies only if your custody matter actually goes to trial or a contested hearing. Quoted in writing from day one; due 30 days before trial.
Fee fixed in writing before any work begins. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
Legal Custody, Physical Custody, and 50/50
Legal custody is decision-making power: education, health care, religion, general welfare. Physical (residential) custody determines where the child primarily lives. Courts can award either sole or joint custody in each category, and New York judges increasingly consider shared 50/50 schedules when the parents can make them work for the child. The labels matter less than the details: a well-drafted order spells out holidays, transportation, communication, and how future disagreements get resolved.
What "Best Interests" Actually Means in Court
There is no checklist in the statute; judges weigh the totality of factors developed through case law: each parent's stability and home environment, physical and mental health, any history of domestic violence or substance abuse, who has been the primary caregiver, each parent's willingness to foster the child's relationship with the other parent, and, depending on age and maturity, the child's own wishes. In most contested cases the court appoints an Attorney for the Child (AFC) under FCA §249 to advocate for the child's position. Knowing how to present your parenting to the judge and the AFC is where experienced counsel earns its keep.
Modification and Enforcement
Custody orders are never truly final. When circumstances substantially change (a relocation, a new work schedule, concerns about the other home) the order can be modified. And when a parent violates the order, a violation petition can bring enforcement, make-up time, or contempt remedies. Both are handled on the same transparent flat-fee structure.
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
Custody cases generate questions weekly. Ask them freely, every call is covered by the flat fee.
✓Petition or Response
Drafting and filing your custody petition, or your response and counter-petition if you were served.
✓Parenting Plan Strategy
A realistic, court-tested plan for legal custody, residential time, holidays, and decision-making.
✓All Pre-Trial Appearances
Every conference and routine appearance in Suffolk County Family Court, handled personally by Steven Zalewski.
✓Working With the AFC
Positioning your case effectively with the Attorney for the Child and any forensic evaluator.
✓Negotiation & Settlement
Pressing for a settlement that protects your relationship with your child, without giving away the courtroom.
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) | $7,500 | $7,500 |
| All Others (Paternity, Custody, Family Offense, Grandparent Custody, etc.) THIS CASE TYPE | $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 the $5,000 flat fee really all I pay before trial?
Yes. All pre-trial work within your retainer's scope (filings, conferences, negotiations, appearances) is covered by the single $5,000 fee, no matter how many court dates it takes.
Most custody cases settle. What does that mean for my cost?
It means most clients never pay more than the pre-trial fee. The $7,500 trial fee applies only if your case actually proceeds to trial, and it is due 30 days before the trial date, never a surprise.
Can fathers really win custody in New York?
Yes. The best-interests standard is gender-neutral, and courts routinely award fathers primary or equal custody. What wins cases is evidence of stable, involved parenting, which is exactly what we build.
What if the other parent violates the order we get?
You can file a violation petition seeking enforcement, make-up parenting time, or contempt. Enforcement matters are quoted on the same flat-fee structure, so you know the cost before you decide.
When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Your Children. Your Case. One Fixed Fee.
$5,000 covers your entire pre-trial custody case in Suffolk County Family Court. A trial fee applies only if you actually go to trial, and you'll know every number before we begin.
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
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.
