Practical tools for real decisions
We’ve gathered plain-English resources to help you understand what’s happening, what comes next, and where to get reliable information—so you can make decisions with confidence.
Winter Break often lead parents in Suffolk County to make informal schedule changes that result in unintended legal consequences or violation petitions. Because custody cases in Suffolk County Family Court can be extended over a significant period, Attorney Steven Zalewski provides a predictable flat-fee structure—one fee for all pre-trial proceedings and one for the trial. This ensures parents can resolve holiday disputes and seek modifications without the burden of unpredictable hourly billing. With payment plans available, you can focus on your child's best interests and long-term stability.
Holiday CPS visits in Suffolk County often stem from stress or weaponized reports in high-conflict cases. Because Neglect Matters in Suffolk County Family Court can be extended over a significant period, Attorney Steven Zalewski provides a predictable flat-fee structure—one fee for all pre-trial proceedings and one for the trial. This allows parents to handle surprise investigations with expert guidance without the stress of unpredictable hourly billing. With payment plans available, you can focus on your family's stability and getting results.
Grandparents seeking custody in Suffolk County must first prove extraordinary circumstances, such as parental unfitness or abandonment, before a judge considers the child's best interests. Because these cases in Suffolk County Family Court can be extended over a significant period, Attorney Steven Zalewski provides a predictable flat-fee structure—one fee for all pre-trial proceedings and one for the trial. This ensures grandparents can fight for a child’s safety without the stress of unpredictable hourly billing. With payment plans available, you can focus on results and the child's well-being.
Holiday disputes often peak during high-conflict years in Suffolk County, where judges look for stability and penalize bad-faith manipulation. Because cases in Suffolk County Family Court can be extended over a significant period, Attorney Steven Zalewski provides a predictable flat-fee structure—one fee for all pre-trial proceedings and one for the trial. This allows parents to seek justice and results without the burden of unpredictable hourly billing. With payment plans available, you can focus on your child's best interests and secure a stable future for your family.
Blog Articles
Quick, plain-English posts that explain Family Court basics, timelines, and next steps—written to answer real questions without legal jargon.
After the holidays, CPS activity increases. Reports delayed during December often land in January. In Suffolk County, ACS/CPS moves fast once a report is made. They are not neutral—they’re protecting the agency. What you say early matters. Silence, panic, or oversharing can all hurt you.
Contact Steven Zalewski, Esq. for guidance.
Trial work is an art. You have to know what you’re doing, and there are serious consequences. That’s why people should ask lawyers directly about their real trial experience. Saying “I have 40 years of experience” isn’t the same as being able to explain how many of those years were in family law and how many cases the lawyer has actually tried.
In some parts of the state it’s handled in two stages (a finding and then a disposition), but in many places it’s handled in one. The disposition can range from an Extreme Order of Protection for up to five years to a Limited Order of Protection that could end in 30 days.
The seriousness of the case usually determines that. These cases also require actual knowledge of facts—not “someone told me.” And if you’re seeking an Order of Protection for a child, a child’s statements alone may be insufficient for the court to issue an Order of Protection.
There must be some type of family relationship, and that’s extremely important. For example: extended family like aunts, uncles, and cousins can qualify, and of course mothers and fathers (married or not) generally qualify.But boyfriends, girlfriends, or significant others usually do not, unless they cohabitate in some way. A common scenario is someone dated a person a couple of times and now wants an Order of Protection. Often, the police will direct them to Family Court, but once the judge asks about the relationship and hears it was only a couple of dates, the court may say it doesn’t qualify and they may need to pursue a different route (like going back to the District Attorney’s office). People can end up stuck in a loop and getting nowhere.
FAQs
Concise answers to common Family Court questions in Suffolk County. Start here to get oriented, then dive deeper when you’re ready.
Family Court
,
NY
,
Agency
Albany
,
NY
,
12212-5363
Bronx
Family Court
Bronx
,
NY
,
10451
Bronx
Borough Office
Bronx
,
NY
,
10474
Bronx
Family Court
Bronx
,
NY
,
10451
Brooklyn
Borough Office
Brooklyn
,
NY
,
11233
Brooklyn
Family Court
Brooklyn
,
NY
,
11201
Kings
Family Court
Brooklyn
,
NY
,
11201
Manhattan
Family Court
New York
,
NY
,
10013
Manhattan
Family Court
New York
,
NY
,
10013
Manhattan/Staten Island
Borough Office
New York
,
NY
,
10002
Nassau
Family Court
Mineola
,
NY
,
11501
New York
Statewide
New York
,
NY
,
10013
New York County (Manhattan)
Family Court
New York
,
NY
,
10013
Orange
Family Court
Goshen
,
NY
,
10924
Putnam
Family Court
Carmel
,
NY
,
10512
Queens
Family Court
Jamaica
,
NY
,
11432
Queens
Borough Office
Jamaica
,
NY
,
11432
Queens
Family Court
Jamaica
,
NY
,
11432
Richmond
Family Court
Staten Island
,
NY
,
10301
Rockland
Family Court
New City
,
NY
,
10956
Staten Island
Family Court
Staten Island
,
NY
,
10301
Suffolk
Family Court
Central Islip
,
NY
,
11722
Suffolk
Family Court
Riverhead
,
NY
,
11901
Suffolk County
DOP
Yaphank
,
NY
,
11980
Westchester
Family Court
White Plains
,
NY
,
10601
Westchester
Family Court
Yonkers
,
NY
,
10701
Westchester
Family Court
New Rochelle
,
NY
,
10801
Court Contacts
If you do one thing today, get a lawyer. If you can’t hire us, talk to a lawyer anyway—through Legal Aid or an assigned counsel plan—so you don’t face Family Court alone. New York law provides appointed counsel in many Family Court matters, and court Help Centers can point you to the right place and forms. Use the contacts below to confirm where your case belongs and who to call next.
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.
