When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Orders of Protection
Call now: 516-660-4354
Obtain, or defend against, an Order of Protection in Suffolk County Family Court for a $5,000 flat fee. Steven Zalewski, Esq. represents petitioners and respondents with decades of Article 8 experience.
"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 Orders of Protection in Suffolk County Family Court
An Order of Protection, what most people call a restraining order, is one of the most powerful tools in Family Court. It can require someone to stay away from your home, job, and children, bar all contact, and mandate the surrender of firearms. It can also, when wrongly issued, remove an innocent person from their own home overnight.
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C. handles Order of Protection cases under Article 8 of the Family Court Act for a $5,000 flat fee, the same fixed price whether we are winning protection for you or defending you against an unjust order. Both numbers, pre-trial and trial, are in writing before we start.
Flat-Fee Pricing · Suffolk County Family Court
Orders of Protection (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 case proceeds to a contested fact-finding hearing. Due 30 days before; covers preparation and the hearing itself.
Fee fixed in writing before any work begins. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
Types of Orders, and What They Can Include
Courts issue two broad forms of relief. A stay-away order requires the respondent to keep away from the petitioner's home, workplace, or school and to have no contact at all. A refrain-from order permits contact but prohibits harassment, intimidation, threats, or further offenses. Either can include no-contact provisions covering calls, texts, and social media; temporary custody, visitation, or support terms; exclusion from a shared home; and mandatory firearm surrender. Violating any provision is a crime that can lead to immediate arrest.
From Petition to Final Order
The process begins with a Family Offense Petition describing specific incidents. A judge reviews it the same day and may issue a Temporary Order of Protection on the spot, effective until the next court date. After the respondent is served, the case either resolves by agreement, often a consent order entered without any admission of wrongdoing, or proceeds to a fact-finding hearing, where the petitioner must prove a family offense by a fair preponderance of the evidence. A final order can last up to two years, or five with aggravating circumstances.
Family Court, Criminal Court, or Both
The same conduct can support a civil Article 8 case and a criminal prosecution simultaneously, and orders of protection can issue from either court. Which forum, or combination, serves you best is a strategic decision with lasting consequences for custody, housing, and records. We map that strategy at the very first consultation, and coordinating across proceedings is part of the flat fee.
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
Fast answers when circumstances shift, every call and email covered by the flat fee.
✓Same-Day Petitions
Drafting and filing Family Offense Petitions built to secure a Temporary Order of Protection immediately.
✓Respondent Defense
Rigorous defense against exaggerated or tactical petitions, protecting your home, record, and parenting time.
✓All Pre-Trial Appearances
Every return date and conference in Suffolk County Family Court, handled personally.
✓Custody & Support Terms
Litigating the custody, visitation, and support provisions that ride along with protective orders.
✓Violation Proceedings
Enforcement when an order is violated, or defense when a violation is wrongly alleged.
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 I need a lawyer to get an Order of Protection?
No, you can file on your own at Suffolk County Family Court. But a petition drafted with specific, legally sufficient allegations is far more likely to secure a strong temporary order and survive a hearing, and cross-petitions are common. The $5,000 flat fee covers the entire pre-trial case.
Someone filed against me. What now?
Obey every term of the temporary order immediately, including no contact, even if the petitioner reaches out to you first. Then gather messages, witnesses, and records, and call us. Violations are arrests; discipline now preserves your defense.
How long does a final Order of Protection last?
Typically up to two years, and up to five years where the court finds aggravating circumstances such as physical injury, weapon use, or repeated violations. Temporary orders last until the next court date and are routinely extended while the case is pending.
What are the trial costs if we can't settle?
For Article 8 cases the trial fee is $5,000, identical to the pre-trial fee, due 30 days before the fact-finding hearing. You will have both figures in writing before the case begins.
When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Protection When You Need It. Defense When You're Accused.
One $5,000 flat fee for your entire pre-trial Order of Protection case in Suffolk County Family Court, on either side of the petition.
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.
