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Suffolk County Divorce & Family Law Attorney
Reviewed for accuracy by Chris Palermo, Esq., updated Aug 2026.
Suffolk County splits family legal matters between two court systems. Divorces are heard in Supreme Court in Riverhead and Central Islip, while custody, support, and family offense cases outside a divorce go to Family Court in Central Islip or Riverhead. Chris Palermo Law practices in all of them, as part of a Long Island family law practice built on more than 30 years of combined experience.
Attorneys Chris Palermo and Riley Perry personally handle every case from the first conversation to the final order. Six of our offices sit inside Suffolk County, in Hauppauge, Huntington, Babylon, Patchogue, Riverhead, and East Hampton, so the attorney who knows your file is never far from your home or your courthouse.
Most cases settle, and we push for the settlement that protects your money and your children before litigation is ever on the table. When court is unavoidable, we try cases, with more than 100 five-star Google reviews behind the way we do it. Your consultation is free. Call (631) 780-0085 or use the form below; calls are typically returned within 24 hours.
Not every family case is a divorce. Custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and family offense cases all begin with a petition in Family Court, filed in Central Islip or Riverhead, and unlike Supreme Court there is no filing fee. Either parent can start a case whether or not a divorce is ever on the table.
Support cases are heard by support magistrates, who set temporary and final obligations based on the financial disclosure both parents must provide, while custody and family offense petitions go before a judge. First appearances usually set the schedule and any temporary orders, which makes preparation before that first date matter more than most people expect.
We prepare and file petitions, respond when you have been served with one, and handle the objections when a magistrate’s order gets the numbers wrong.
Custody RepresentationMediation puts both spouses in a room with a neutral professional and lets you write the terms of your own divorce: the parenting schedule, the support, the property split. It is usually faster and less expensive than litigation, and the agreements tend to hold up better because nobody had them imposed.
It is not for every case. Where there is domestic violence, hidden assets, or a serious power imbalance, mediation can protect the stronger party instead of the family, and we say so when that is what we see. For couples who can negotiate in good faith, we offer mediation alongside traditional representation, so the recommendation you get is based on your case, not our billing model.
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Primary Office
Hauppauge
Our primary office on Veterans Memorial Highway sits minutes from the Central Islip courts, where most Suffolk matrimonial cases are heard. If your case has court dates, this is the office built around them.
Hauppauge Office
North Shore
Huntington
Our Carver Street office serves Huntington, Melville, and the towns along the Route 110 corridor. North Shore clients handle everything from divorce to Family Court matters without leaving town
Huntington Office
South Shore
Babylon
On Main Street in Babylon Village, this office covers the western South Shore, from Lindenhurst to West Islip. Close to home for clients who would rather not make the trip up-island.
Babylon Office
South Shore Village
Patchogue
The Medford Avenue office serves Patchogue and the middle South Shore, from Sayville through Bellport, a quick stop for anyone along Sunrise Highway.
Patchogue Office
County Seat
Riverhead
Blocks from the county courts and the County Clerk, where every Suffolk divorce is filed. Our Roanoke Avenue office keeps filings, appearances, and East End cases moving without the drive west.
Riverhead Office
The East End
East Hampton
The Willow Lane office covers East Hampton, Southampton, and both forks. Hamptons families get the same representation as the rest of the Island, without leaving the East End.
East Hampton OfficeGood counsel should never be far.
Suffolk County Divorce Roadmap
A practical guide to where your case goes, what happens first, and what to gather so the process stays controlled.
Suffolk County Courts: Where to File What
Supreme Court, Riverhead and Central Islip (Divorce Court): Divorce filing and divorce judgment, property division (equitable distribution), spousal maintenance, and settlement approvals and trial decisions in the divorce case.
Central Islip Family Court (Family Court Matters): Custody and parenting time, child support, family offense matters, orders of protection, and enforcement/modification of certain family court orders.
Divorce itself is typically handled in Supreme Court. Parenting and protection issues are often handled in Family Court. Some families deal with both.
What the First 30–90 Days Usually Look Like
Filing + Service: One spouse starts the case and formally serves the other spouse.
Early Court Dates: The court sets deadlines, a schedule, and a path forward.
Temporary Orders (“Pendente Lite”): Temporary orders can decide schedules, money, and household rules while the case is pending, including temporary custody and parenting time, temporary child support and spousal support, household expense allocation, exclusive occupancy, and communication rules
"Temporary" orders often become the real-life routine everyone lives with for months.
Bring These Documents to the First Meeting
Financial documents: Last 2 years of tax returns (with W-2s/1099s), 2–3 months of pay stubs, 3 months of bank and credit card statements (all accounts), retirement statements (401(k), IRA, pension), mortgage statement or lease with property tax/insurance info, auto/student/personal loans, and health insurance and childcare costs.
Family + child documents: School schedules and school communications, medical records/portals and provider info (if relevant), activity calendars and transportation routines, and any existing court orders or prior filings.
If safety is an issue: Photos of injuries or property damage, police incident numbers or reports, and screenshots of threats (save full threads, not single messages).
Courts trust paper. The more organized the documentation, the cleaner the outcome tends to be.
Common Mistakes That Cost the Most
- Moving out without a written parenting-time plan
- Making big financial moves without a documented reason
- Mixing separate funds into joint accounts without clear records
- Venting by text or social media (screenshots become exhibits)
- “Handshake” agreements with no paper trail
- Hiding income or manipulating cash flow (credibility damage is hard to recover from)
Plain-English Definitions
Equitable distribution
New York divides property based on what is fair, not automatically 50/50.
Temporary orders (“pendente lite”)
Court-issued rules while the case is pending that shape schedules, money, and household access.
Custody vs. parenting time
Custody is decision-making authority; parenting time is the schedule.
Week-One Checklist
- Gather documents and keep them in one folder (digital + paper)
- Write a factual timeline (dates, events, financial changes)
- Keep communications short, calm, and child-focused
- Start a parenting log (drop-offs, appointments, school events)
- Avoid revenge spending or sudden account changes
- Do not record conversations unless counsel confirms it is lawful and strategically necessary
Meet Your Attorneys
Chris Palermo
Chris Palermo, Esq. has dedicated over 20 years to helping families in Suffolk County navigate complex legal matters. A graduate of Villanova University and Touro College Law School (2001), he combines a strong academic foundation with a deep commitment to his clients.
Known for his compassionate yet assertive approach, Chris has successfully guided hundreds of individuals through challenging family law cases. He is admitted to practice in all New York State courts and has earned widespread recognition, including a perfect 10/10 Avvo rating and the distinction of being named a National Top 100 Trial Lawyer.
Beyond the courtroom, Chris is an active supporter of the Suffolk County community. He contributes to causes like the Marcie Mazzola 5K Run/Walk and the St. Jude Foundation, reflecting his dedication to both his profession and those in need.
Riley Perry
When you need a trusted divorce and family law attorney in Suffolk County, Riley T. Perry, Esq., brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and personalized care to every case. As a partner at Palermo Law, Riley has built a reputation as a tireless advocate for clients navigating the complexities of divorce, child custody, and family law matters across Long Island.
With deep roots in the local community and a proven track record, she’s here to guide you through life’s toughest legal challenges with compassion and skill.
- New York State Bar Association
- Suffolk County Bar Association
- Suffolk County Matrimonial and Family Law Committee
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys’ 10 Best Female Attorneys
One Firm for Every Suffolk Family Law Matter
Divorce in Suffolk County
Every Suffolk divorce starts with the County Clerk in Riverhead and is heard in the Supreme Court’s matrimonial parts in Central Islip and Riverhead. Whether it ends in months or years depends on agreement: an uncontested divorce with settled terms can be decided on the papers, while a contested case moves through disclosure, conferences, and, when necessary, trial.
We handle divorce at every level of conflict, protect our clients’ position on equitable distribution and maintenance, and offer mediation for couples who want to write the terms together rather than have a judge write them.
Custody and Support in Family Court
The county’s Family Courts in Central Islip and Riverhead decide child custody and parenting time on one standard, the best interests of the child, with no preference for mothers or fathers. We represent parents on both sides of that standard, including dedicated work in father’s rights and mother’s rights cases.
Child support follows the state formula, applied to combined parental income up to $193,000 as of March 1, 2026, and spousal support has its own formula with a $241,000 cap. The formulas are the starting point; how income is determined, especially for self-employed parents, is usually where the case is won.
Protection and Parental Rights
When safety is at stake, Family Court can issue a temporary order of protection the same day a petition is filed, and we move fast on both sides of those cases, securing protection for clients who need it and defending clients who have been wrongly accused. We also represent parents in CPS investigations, establish paternity for mothers and fathers alike, and guide families through adoption.
Suffolk County is where this firm was built. Chris Palermo has spent more than 20 years in the county’s family courtrooms, Riley Perry is a partner with deep roots in the same local bar, and together they bring more than 30 years of combined family law experience to every case. One of them personally handles your matter from intake to judgment, and the caseload stays small so that promise stays true.
That local depth is practical, not decorative. We know how the Central Islip matrimonial parts run their calendars, what the support magistrates expect in a financial disclosure, and how Riverhead handles an uncontested submission, and that familiarity shows up as fewer surprises and shorter timelines.
More than 100 Long Island clients have left the firm five-star Google reviews, and the pattern in them repeats: calls returned, usually within 24 hours, plain answers, and an attorney who knew the file. Consultations are free, at whichever of our Suffolk offices is closest to you.
Answers for Suffolk Families
How long does a divorce take in Suffolk County?
A Suffolk County divorce typically takes between six months and one year for uncontested cases. Complex or contested divorces involving custody or financial disputes may extend beyond one year.
What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?
An uncontested divorce means both parties agree on all terms, including child custody, asset division, and support. A contested divorce involves disagreements requiring negotiation, mediation, or court intervention.
Learn more about what distinguishes uncontested and contested divorces from each other.
How much does a divorce cost in Suffolk County?
Costs vary widely. Uncontested divorces may cost several thousand dollars, while contested divorces involving litigation may cost significantly more. Hiring an experienced attorney helps manage and potentially reduce these costs.
Read more about the costs associated with a divorce in Suffolk County.
How is property divided in a Suffolk County divorce?
New York uses "equitable distribution," meaning marital assets and debts are divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, considering factors such as marriage duration, contributions, earning potential, and the needs of both parties.
Read more about how property is divided in a Suffolk County divorce.
How is child custody determined in Suffolk County?
Child custody decisions are based on the child's best interests. Courts consider parental fitness, stability, existing relationships, the child's preferences (depending on age), and each parent’s ability to provide emotional and financial support.
Read more about how child custody is determined in Suffolk County.
Do I have to go to court for a divorce in Suffolk County?
In an uncontested divorce, court appearances may be unnecessary. Contested divorces typically involve court appearances. A skilled attorney can often reduce the need for extensive litigation through negotiation or mediation.
Learn more about whether you have to go to court for a divorce in Suffolk County.
Can I get spousal support (alimony) in Suffolk County?
Spousal support (alimony) is determined by considering each spouse's income, earning potential, length of marriage, health, contributions during marriage, and financial need.
Read more about how spousal support (alimony) works in Suffolk County.
How is child support calculated in New York?
Child support in New York is based on state guidelines that factor each parent's income, number of children, custody arrangements, and additional expenses such as healthcare and education.
Learn more about how child support is calculated in New York.
What documents do I need for a Suffolk County divorce?
Key documents include financial records, property deeds, tax returns, bank statements, retirement accounts, pay stubs, proof of debts, marriage certificates, and child-related documentation.
Read more about what documents you'll need for a Suffolk County divorce.
Can I change a divorce agreement later in Suffolk County?
Modifications to divorce agreements are possible if there's a substantial change in circumstances, such as loss of employment, relocation, or significant income changes.
Read more about changing divorce agreements in Suffolk County.
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