When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Domestic Violence Cases
Call now: 516-660-4354
Whether you need an Order of Protection or must defend against one, Steven Zalewski, Esq. handles Suffolk County family offense cases for a $5,000 flat fee, fixed in writing before work begins, on either side of the courtroom.
"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 Representation in Domestic Violence & Family Offense Cases
Domestic violence cases are the most emotionally charged matters in Family Court, real fear on one side, and sometimes reputations and parental rights wrongly at risk on the other. In Suffolk County these cases proceed under Article 8 of the Family Court Act, where a judge can issue an Order of Protection against a family or household member.
Steven Zalewski, Esq. has spent decades representing both petitioners seeking protection and respondents defending against allegations. Either way, the fee is the same: $5,000 flat for all pre-trial work, agreed in writing before anything begins, because a crisis is no time for an unpredictable bill.
Flat-Fee Pricing · Suffolk County Family Court
Domestic Violence & Family Offense Cases (FCA Article 8): $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
$5,000
Applies only if your family offense case proceeds to a contested fact-finding hearing. Due 30 days before; covers preparation and the hearing.
Fee fixed in writing before any work begins. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
What Counts as a Family Offense
Family Court has jurisdiction when specific offenses occur between people in a qualifying relationship: current or former spouses, people with a child in common, relatives by blood or marriage, and current or former intimate partners (living together is not required). Commonly alleged offenses include harassment, menacing, assault, stalking, strangulation, criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct. Article 8 cases are civil; the same conduct can also be prosecuted separately in Criminal Court, and a victim may proceed in one forum or both.
How These Cases Move Through Family Court
The petitioner files a Family Offense Petition, which a judge reviews the same day, often issuing a Temporary Order of Protection immediately. The respondent is served and appears, and the case resolves either by agreement (frequently a consent order without any admission) or through a fact-finding hearing where both sides present testimony and evidence. If a family offense is proven, a final Order of Protection can last two years, or up to five in aggravated circumstances, and can include stay-away terms, firearm surrender, and temporary custody or support provisions.
Two Sides, One Standard of Advocacy
For petitioners, we draft fact-specific petitions that hold up under cross-examination, secure temporary orders quickly, and coordinate custody and support relief. For respondents, we take even a "temporary" order seriously, it can put you out of your home and away from your children overnight. We test exaggerated claims, protect your record, and defend your parental rights without escalating a volatile situation. If there is any parallel criminal case or CPS involvement, we coordinate strategy across all of it.
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
In a volatile situation, questions can't wait for billing approval. Call freely, it's covered.
✓Petition or Defense
Drafting a persuasive Family Offense Petition, or a disciplined defense if you have been served with one.
✓Temporary Orders
Emergency applications for (or opposition to) Temporary Orders of Protection, often heard the same day.
✓All Pre-Trial Appearances
Every return date and conference in Suffolk County Family Court, handled personally.
✓Evidence Preparation
Organizing messages, photos, medical records, and witnesses into a case a judge can act on.
✓Coordinated Strategy
Alignment with any parallel criminal case, CPS investigation, or custody proceeding.
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) THIS CASE TYPE | $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
Do you represent victims or the accused?
Both, and that dual experience is an advantage. Knowing how the other side builds its case makes ours stronger, whichever chair we sit in. The $5,000 flat fee is the same on either side.
How fast can I get an Order of Protection?
A judge reviews new petitions the same day they are filed, and Temporary Orders of Protection are routinely issued at that first appearance. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first, then call us.
I was served with a temporary order. Is it really serious if nothing was proven yet?
Yes. A temporary order can bar you from your home and children immediately, and violating it, even by replying to a text, can mean arrest. Do not contact the petitioner; contact a lawyer.
What does the trial fee look like in these cases?
Orders of Protection cases carry a $5,000 trial fee, the same as pre-trial, due 30 days before a contested fact-finding hearing. Both numbers are in your written retainer from day one.
When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Safety and Fairness Shouldn't Come With a Meter Running
One $5,000 flat fee for your entire pre-trial family offense case, whether you are seeking protection or defending your name.
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.
