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Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Separation Agreements
Call now: 516-660-4354
Resolve property, support, custody, and parenting time in a binding separation agreement, for a $5,000 flat fee, fixed in writing before drafting begins. Often the calmest, most affordable path toward divorce in New York.
"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 Separation Agreements in New York
Not every marriage that ends should end in a courtroom. A well-drafted separation agreement is a binding contract that resolves the real issues (property, debts, support, custody, and parenting time) privately and on your own timeline. After living apart under the agreement for one year, either spouse can convert it into an uncontested "conversion divorce" under DRL §170(6).
Here is where flat-fee pricing matters most: negotiated documents reward efficiency, not billable hours. Zacarese & Zalewski P.C. prepares comprehensive separation agreements for a $5,000 flat fee, every draft, every revision, every negotiation session included.
What a Complete Agreement Covers
A separation agreement worth signing addresses equitable distribution of marital property and debt (the home, retirement accounts, businesses, vehicles, credit cards), spousal maintenance (amount, duration, or a knowing waiver), child custody and parenting time in day-to-day detail, child support consistent with the CSSA, and the practical items couples forget: health insurance, life insurance, tax filing status, and who pays which expenses until the divorce is final. Vague agreements breed litigation; specific ones prevent it.
Why Couples Choose Separation Over Immediate Divorce
Some spouses need continued health-insurance coverage that divorce would cut off. Some have religious or personal reasons to remain married while living apart. Some simply want time and certainty before a final step. And many use the agreement as the blueprint for an uncontested divorce, because once every issue is resolved on paper, the divorce itself becomes paperwork rather than warfare.
The Rules That Make It Enforceable
New York courts hold separation agreements to real formalities: written, signed, and acknowledged before a notary in the manner of a deed. They also scrutinize fairness, full financial disclosure matters, and each spouse should have independent counsel, since one lawyer cannot represent both sides of a contract. An agreement signed under pressure or built on hidden assets can be set aside years later, which is precisely the outcome careful drafting avoids.
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.
