Family Law Attorney in East Northport, NY

Family court cases can be some of the most emotional and difficult moments in life. For many families in East Northport and throughout Suffolk County, these cases involve more than just laws and paperwork — they’re about children, relationships, and futures. Whether you’re facing a custody dispute, seeking child support, or protecting yourself through an order of protection, the process can feel overwhelming.

I’m Steven Zalewski, Esq., a Suffolk County Family Court attorney with over 40 years of experience helping parents and families through these challenging times. I’ve handled thousands of cases — from custody and support to paternity, neglect, and family offense matters. My approach is simple and effective: straightforward advice, clear communication, and strong advocacy. I combine deep knowledge of New York Family Law with genuine compassion for the people behind the cases.

Family law isn’t just about rules and procedures — it’s about helping real people navigate real life. My job is to help you understand your rights, guide you through the process, and protect what matters most: your family.

Child Custody and Visitation — Protecting What Matters Most

In custody cases, the court’s primary concern is always the best interests of the child. These cases aren’t about “winning” or “losing” — they’re about ensuring that children have stability, safety, and meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible.

Understanding Custody in New York

• Legal Custody: The authority to make major decisions about a child’s life, including education, health care, and religious upbringing.
• Physical Custody (Residential Custody): Where the child primarily lives.

Custody can be sole (one parent has full decision-making authority) or joint (parents share responsibility). In some cases, one parent may have final decision-making authority on specific issues if the parents cannot agree.

Parenting Time (Visitation)

Even when one parent has primary custody, the other parent typically has visitation rights, now commonly referred to as parenting time. The court encourages arrangements that allow children to maintain consistent, loving contact with both parents.

Typical schedules include alternating weekends, midweek visits, extended holiday and vacation time, and other arrangements that fit the child’s best interests.

Having handled thousands of custody and visitation cases in Suffolk County Family Court, I know how to effectively present a parent’s strengths — demonstrating involvement, stability, and commitment to the child’s well-being. Whether you’re seeking custody, enforcing an existing order, or requesting modifications, I’ll help you navigate every step of the process.

Child Support — Ensuring Fairness and Stability

Child support is about making sure children have the resources they need to thrive. It’s not about punishing one parent — it’s about fairness and responsibility.

In New York, child support is governed by Article 4 of the Family Court Act and the Child Support Standards Act (CSSA). The CSSA provides a formula for calculating support based on the combined parental income, applying standard percentages:

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

Each parent’s share is determined proportionally to their income. The court may also order contributions to additional costs, known as “add-ons,” which include:

• Child care expenses related to work or education,
• Health insurance premiums and unreimbursed medical expenses, and
• Educational or extracurricular expenses.

Fairness is key — both parents have a legal duty to contribute to their child’s financial well-being. As your attorney, I work to ensure that support calculations are accurate, transparent, and sustainable.

I represent both custodial and non-custodial parents in East Northport and across Suffolk County, helping to establish, modify, or enforce child support orders. Whether you’re seeking an increase in support or struggling to make payments due to a change in income, I’ll help you pursue a fair resolution backed by clear financial evidence and strong advocacy.

Orders of Protection and Family Offense Cases

Family conflict can sometimes escalate to the point where court intervention becomes necessary to ensure safety. In New York, Orders of Protection are legal tools designed to stop harassment, threats, and abuse within family or intimate relationships. These cases are filed under Article 8 of the Family Court Act and are intended to protect families, not criminalize them.

The Family Offense Process

A Family Offense Petition can be filed by a person seeking protection from someone with whom they share a family or intimate relationship — including spouses, partners, parents, or co-parents. Once filed, the court may issue a Temporary Order of Protection, providing immediate safety until a full hearing can be held. After the hearing, the court may issue a Final Order of Protection, which can last up to two years or longer in serious cases.

What Orders of Protection Can Do:

• Require the respondent to stay away from the petitioner’s home, school, or workplace;
• Prohibit contact by phone, text, or social media;
• Restrict visits or modify parenting time;
• Order the respondent to surrender firearms;
• Prohibit harassment, stalking, or verbal abuse.

These matters can be extremely sensitive, and every case has two sides. My approach is balanced and professional — compassionate and protective when helping victims of abuse, and factual and assertive when defending clients against exaggerated or false allegations.

With decades of courtroom experience, I make sure every petition or defense is supported by evidence and that your due process rights are protected at every stage. Whether you need protection or representation in defending against a Family Offense Petition, I will guide you through the process with clarity, strength, and respect.

Paternity and Parental Rights

Before custody or child support can be established in New York, paternity must first be legally confirmed. Determining who a child’s legal father is ensures that both the child and the parents have clear rights and responsibilities under the law.

There are two primary ways to establish paternity in New York State:

1. Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP):
   This is a voluntary form signed by both parents, typically at the hospital when the child is born. Once properly filed with the Department of Health, this document gives the father full legal recognition — allowing him to pursue custody or visitation and obligating him to provide financial support.
2. Order of Filiation (P Docket Proceeding):
   When paternity is disputed, either parent may file a petition in Family Court. The court will open a P Docket case and may order DNA testing to confirm biological paternity. Once confirmed, the court issues an Order of Filiation, legally establishing the father-child relationship and paving the way for custody and support proceedings.

In certain cases, the court applies the doctrine of equitable estoppel — meaning that if a man has acted as a child’s father and built a meaningful parental relationship, he cannot later deny paternity, even if DNA testing says otherwise. This rule exists to protect the emotional and psychological well-being of the child.

I represent both mothers and fathers in paternity and support cases. My goal is to ensure that the process is fair, accurate, and respectful of everyone’s rights. Whether you’re seeking to establish paternity, challenge it, or protect your parental rights, I’ll guide you through every step — from DNA testing to final court orders — with honesty, clarity, and compassion.

Neglect & Abuse Petitions (CPS/ACS Involvement)

When Child Protective Services (CPS) or ACS becomes involved in your family’s life, it can be terrifying — even if you’ve done nothing wrong. These cases, brought under Article 10 of the Family Court Act, allege that a parent or guardian has neglected or abused their child, or failed to provide proper supervision or care.

It’s crucial to understand that these are civil proceedings, not criminal cases, but the potential consequences are extremely serious. They can include:

• Temporary or permanent loss of custody,
• Supervised visitation orders,
• Mandatory participation in service or treatment plans, and, in severe cases,
• Termination of parental rights (TPR).

With over 40 years of Family Court experience, I take a calm, strategic, and protective approach to these matters. I guide parents through every stage — from investigations and case conferences to hearings and appeals — always with the goal of protecting your rights and reuniting families whenever possible.

CPS cases require knowledge, patience, and advocacy. Few attorneys understand the emotional and procedural complexity of these matters like I do. I’ll ensure that your story is heard, your evidence is presented clearly, and your family is given a fair opportunity to move forward.

Flat-Fee Family Court Representation — Honest, Clear, and Affordable

When your family is in crisis, the last thing you need is uncertainty about legal fees. That’s why my firm uses a transparent, flat-fee structure for all Family Court cases.

Each client receives a clear, written agreement outlining every stage of representation — so you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for.

• Separate flat fees for pre-trial and trial representation.
• Refund policy for cases that settle before trial.
• No hourly billing, no hidden charges.
• Designed for predictability, fairness, and trust.

This structure allows clients to focus on their families, not their legal bills. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your representation is straightforward, affordable, and built on integrity — the same way I’ve practiced law for more than four decades.

Your Family Deserves Experienced, Honest Representation — Call Today

Family law cases are deeply personal and emotionally complex. Whether you’re fighting for custody, seeking child support, or defending your rights against unfair allegations, you deserve a lawyer who combines compassion with experience.

Steven approaches every case with honesty, fairness, and a clear plan for moving forward. Clients across East Northport and Suffolk County trust him to handle their most sensitive family matters with professionalism and integrity — whether it’s negotiating parenting schedules, ensuring fair support orders, or standing up for those who feel unheard in court.

When you work with Steven Zalewski, you’re not just hiring a lawyer — you’re gaining an advocate who will stand by you through every step of the process.

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