Family Law Attorney in Commack, NY

Family law cases are some of the most emotional and stressful situations a person can face. Whether it’s a custody dispute, child support case, or an order of protection, these matters don’t just affect your present — they shape your family’s future. In Commack and throughout Suffolk County, families enter Family Court every day seeking fairness, stability, and guidance through some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

I’m Steven Zalewski, Esq., and for more than 40 years, I’ve represented parents and families in Family Court matters across Suffolk County — including Commack, Hauppauge, Smithtown, and surrounding areas. My approach is simple: combine deep legal knowledge with empathy and clear, straightforward advice. I believe in helping clients understand the process, their rights, and their options in plain English, not legal jargon.

Family Court is about people — not paperwork. It’s about protecting what matters most: your children, your home, and your peace of mind.

Child Custody and Visitation

Few issues are as emotionally charged as child custody. These cases are not about “winning” or “losing” — they’re about determining what’s in the best interests of the child. The court’s focus is on creating a stable, safe, and supportive environment that allows the child to thrive.

Understanding Custody in New York

• Legal Custody: Refers to who has the right to make important decisions about a child’s education, health care, and overall welfare.
• Physical Custody (Residential Custody): Determines where the child primarily lives.

Custody can be:

• Joint Custody, where parents share decision-making responsibilities;
• Sole Custody, where one parent has the exclusive right to make those decisions; or
• A combination, where one parent has final decision-making authority in certain areas like education or medical care.

Visitation and Parenting Time

Even when one parent has primary custody, the other parent almost always has visitation rights (also known as parenting time). The Family Court can create detailed schedules that ensure the child maintains a consistent, meaningful relationship with both parents.

Parenting plans often include:

• Regular weekly visits,
• Alternating weekends,
• Holiday and vacation schedules, and
• Transportation and communication arrangements.

Having handled thousands of custody and visitation cases, I know how to present your strengths as a parent to the court — emphasizing your stability, involvement, and commitment to your child’s well-being. My role is to help you protect your parental rights while focusing on what truly matters: your child’s happiness and security.

Child Support

Child support isn’t about punishing one parent or rewarding another — it’s about ensuring children receive the financial support they need to grow and succeed.

Child support in New York is governed by Article 4 of the Family Court Act and the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). The law provides a formula for determining the amount of support based on both parents’ income and the number of children:

• 1 child: 17%
• 2 children: 25%
• 3 children: 29%
• 4 children: 31%
• 5 or more children: no less than 35%

These percentages apply to the combined parental income (up to a statutory cap currently set at $183,000). Each parent’s share is then determined proportionally — meaning if one parent earns 60% of the combined income, that parent pays 60% of the total support obligation.

Add-On Expenses

In addition to the basic child support amount, the court may order parents to share additional costs such as:

• Childcare expenses (so a parent can work or attend school),
• Health insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical costs, and
• Educational or extracurricular expenses, when appropriate.

Fairness and Modifications

Life changes — and when it does, support orders may need to be modified. Whether you’ve lost a job, your income has increased, or your child’s needs have changed, the law allows you to seek a modification.

I represent both custodial and non-custodial parents in ensuring support orders are fair, accurate, and based on honest financial disclosure. My focus is on resolution, not conflict — working to achieve a fair outcome that supports your child without placing an impossible burden on you.

Orders of Protection and Family Offense Proceedings

If you or your children are being threatened, harassed, or abused by someone in your household or family, you have the right to seek an Order of Protection through Family Court. These orders are civil, not criminal, and are designed to keep families safe and prevent further harm.

Under Article 8 of the Family Court Act, you can file a Family Offense Petition if the abuse or threats come from someone with whom you have a family or intimate relationship — such as a spouse, partner, parent, or co-parent.

Types of Orders of Protection:

• Temporary Order of Protection: Issued at the first court appearance and provides immediate protection.
• Final Order of Protection: Issued after a hearing or agreement, lasting up to two years (or longer in serious cases).

An order can require the other party to:

• Stay away from you, your home, or workplace;
• Stop contacting or threatening you;
• Move out of your shared residence;
• Refrain from damaging property or harming pets; and
• Comply with visitation or custody restrictions.

I’ve represented clients on both sides of these cases — those seeking protection and those accused of wrongdoing. My approach is always fact-driven and compassionate. I take claims of domestic violence seriously while ensuring that all parties are treated fairly and with dignity. Whether you need to obtain an order for your safety or defend yourself against unfounded allegations, I will help you navigate the process and protect your rights.

Paternity and Parental Rights

Before the Family Court can issue a custody or child support order, paternity must be legally established. This step is essential in defining both a parent’s rights and responsibilities under New York law.

There are two primary ways to establish paternity:

1. Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP):
   This is a voluntary document signed by both parents, usually at the hospital when the child is born, confirming that the man is the child’s biological father. Once filed with the Department of Health, it carries the same legal weight as a court order.
2. Order of Filiation (P Docket Proceeding):
   If paternity is disputed, the court can open a P Docket case to determine parentage. The court may order DNA testing to confirm biological paternity. If the results establish parentage, the judge issues an Order of Filiation, legally recognizing the man as the father.

In certain cases, the court applies the legal principle of equitable estoppel, which prevents a man who has acted as a child’s father — emotionally or financially — from later denying paternity if it would harm the child’s well-being.

I represent both mothers and fathers in paternity and custody cases, ensuring fairness and the protection of each parent’s rights. Whether you’re seeking to establish paternity to secure child support or defending your rights as a father, I’ll help you navigate the process and protect your role in your child’s life.

Neglect & Abuse Petitions (CPS/ACS Cases)

Few situations are more frightening for a parent than when Child Protective Services (CPS) or ACS becomes involved in your family’s life. These cases typically begin when the agency files a neglect or abuse petition in Family Court, alleging that a child has been harmed or placed at risk due to lack of care or supervision.

While these are civil proceedings, not criminal, the consequences are serious. Findings of neglect or abuse can result in:

• Temporary or permanent removal of your children,
• Mandatory supervision by CPS,
• Court-ordered services or evaluations, and in severe cases,
• Termination of parental rights.

I understand how terrifying and confusing these proceedings can be. My approach is calm, strategic, and protective. I work closely with parents to guide them through each stage of the process — from investigations and fact-finding hearings to service plans and reunification efforts.

My focus is always on keeping families together whenever possible. I’ll help you comply with court requirements, address the allegations head-on, and present your case clearly and effectively to the judge.

Why Choose Steven Zalewski, Esq. as Your Family Law Attorney

Not all attorneys are built for Family Court. It takes a unique combination of knowledge, patience, and empathy to handle the cases that impact families most deeply. With over 40 years of courtroom experience in both Family Law and Criminal Defense, I’ve spent my career representing parents and families in some of the most complex and emotional cases in Suffolk County.

Here’s why clients throughout Commack and across Long Island trust me with their family law matters:

• Extensive courtroom experience — thousands of cases handled across every Family Court docket.
• Daily presence in Suffolk County Family Court — I know the judges, court clerks, and procedures inside and out.
• Straightforward communication: I believe in honesty. “I’ll tell you the truth, not what you want to hear.”
• Balanced perspective: Decades of work in both the private and public sectors help me see cases from every angle.
• Compassionate, no-nonsense advocacy: I care deeply about my clients but never lose sight of the facts or the law.

My goal is to help clients make informed decisions, regain control, and move forward with dignity — no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Your Family, Your Future, Your Advocate — Call Today for Help

Family law cases are among the most personal and emotionally charged matters you’ll ever face. Whether you’re dealing with custody, support, or an order of protection, you need an attorney who understands both the law and the people behind it.

Steven Zalewski, Esq. brings over four decades of courtroom experience and a compassionate, steady hand to guide you through every step of the Family Court process. His mission is simple: to protect your rights, your family, and your future.

📞 Call today for a confidential consultation:
Office: (516) 377-7830
Cell: (516) 660-4654
Email: steve@zandzfamilylawyers.com
Address: 1601 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 500, Islandia, NY 11749