When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C.
Flat Fee Visitation Cases
Call now: 516-660-4354
Secure, expand, or defend your parenting time in Suffolk County Family Court for a $5,000 flat fee, with a trial fee only if your case actually goes to trial. Steven Zalewski, Esq. fights for schedules that keep parents in their children's lives.
"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 Visitation & Parenting Time Representation in Suffolk County
New York courts start from a simple premise: children do best with meaningful, regular time with both parents. When that time is being denied, cut short, or used as leverage, Family Court can order (and enforce) a specific parenting time schedule under Article 6 of the Family Court Act.
Zacarese & Zalewski P.C. handles visitation cases across Suffolk County for a $5,000 flat fee covering all pre-trial work. Missed weekends don't come back; neither should your access to your lawyer depend on an hourly meter.
Flat-Fee Pricing · Suffolk County Family Court
Visitation & Parenting Time Cases: $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 visitation case actually goes to trial or a contested hearing. Quoted in writing from day one; due 30 days before.
Fee fixed in writing before any work begins. Third-party expenses (filing fees, process servers, transcripts, experts) are separate.
What a Strong Parenting Time Order Looks Like
Enforceable schedules are specific: regular weekly time, alternating weekends, a holiday and school-break rotation, vacation weeks, and clear rules for exchanges, transportation, and phone or video contact. "Reasonable visitation as the parties agree" sounds cooperative, until the parties stop agreeing. We draft and litigate for orders precise enough that a violation is provable, not debatable.
Supervised Visitation and Restrictions
Courts restrict parenting time only where the evidence shows a genuine risk to the child, and a parent seeking restrictions must prove it, not merely allege it. When supervision is ordered, it is usually a bridge, not a destination: we help parents meet conditions, document progress, and move back to normal, unsupervised time. On the other side, when a child's safety honestly requires limits, we present that evidence with the seriousness it deserves.
When the Other Parent Won't Follow the Order
Repeated denial of court-ordered parenting time is not a private frustration, it is a violation of a court order. Remedies include make-up time, modification of the underlying order (persistent interference can itself justify a custody change), and contempt sanctions. Importantly, child support and visitation are separate obligations: a parent cannot lawfully withhold the children over money, nor withhold money over the children.
Visitation Beyond Parents
Grandparents and siblings can seek court-ordered visitation in defined circumstances (see our grandparent custody & visitation page), and questions often arise for stepparents and former partners. Standing rules are technical, the right first step is a candid assessment, which every flat-fee engagement begins with.
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
When an exchange goes wrong on a Friday night, you can reach your lawyer without watching a clock.
✓Petition or Response
Drafting and filing your visitation petition, or defending against one seeking to limit your time.
✓Specific, Enforceable Schedules
Parenting plans detailed enough to be enforced: weekly time, holidays, vacations, and exchange logistics.
✓All Pre-Trial Appearances
Every conference and routine appearance in Suffolk County Family Court, handled personally.
✓Enforcement & Make-Up Time
Violation petitions that turn missed weekends into make-up time and real consequences.
✓Supervised-to-Normal Transitions
Strategy and documentation to lift supervision requirements and restore full parenting time.
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
The other parent keeps canceling my weekends. What can I do?
Document every missed exchange, then file a violation petition. Courts can order make-up time, modify the schedule, and sanction persistent interference, and repeated denial can even support a change of custody. All of it falls under the flat-fee structure.
Can visitation be denied because I'm behind on child support?
No. Support and parenting time are legally independent. A parent who withholds the children over money is violating the order, and we can enforce it.
I've been offered 'reasonable visitation as agreed.' Should I accept?
Be careful. Vague terms only work while everyone cooperates. We push for specific schedules because they protect you the day cooperation stops, at no extra cost, since drafting detail is covered by the same flat fee.
How does the flat fee work if we settle quickly?
The $5,000 pre-trial fee is the full pre-trial price whether your case takes one conference or ten, and if it settles quickly, you never touch the trial fee. Most visitation cases resolve without trial.
When you speak, I guarantee you will be heard
Time With Your Kids Is the Whole Point
One $5,000 flat fee covers your entire pre-trial visitation case in Suffolk County Family Court, petitions, conferences, and enforcement strategy included.
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.
