Deborah G. Fiss

Deborah G. Fiss

also known as Debbie Fiss

4.9
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 43 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Jackson Heights, NY
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Family, Child Support

37-06 82nd Street, Suite 202, Jackson Heights, NY

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1995
See Details

About Deborah

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Child Custody 25%

44 years

25%
Family 25%

With many people having children without being legally married, custody and child support cases are then held in the Family Court here in New York State. Ms. Fiss had served on the state panel of attorneys representing parents and children for the first 20 years of her long career so she has vast experience practicing in the Family Court.

44 years

25%
Child Support 20%

44 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in New York for 43 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1982

Currently Registered

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 1995

Location

Deborah G. Fiss, Esq.

37-06 82nd Street, Suite 202, Jackson Heights, NY, 11372

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Deborah G. Fiss's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

62 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (62) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Child Support

Posted by david | December 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Great Queens Divorce Lawyer

I had started divorce discussions with a Manhattan Divorce lawyer because I thought someone good and close to work would work best for me. My Manhattan lawyer recommended I use Debbie because she knows what she's doing (he recommends her to his friends and family) and she knows all the players in th...e Queens system - all of them (Judges, mediators, appraisers, etc). My ex was very combative but Debbie was still able to help us unwind 18 years of marriage and custody of our two kids in under a year. I got better custody arrangement than I expected, better child support arrangement than expected and finished proceedings just under the budget I set. I would absolutely hire her again (but hope I don't have to).

Posted by Riza Y | February 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Look No Further!!!

I retained Debbie as my 2nd attorney after having a lawyer who fell off the face of the map. Debbie works in a "particular" manner and you need to be on board with her 100%. She knows what she is doing and knows how to get the most for her clients as I was going through a tough divorce and visitati...on battle. As a father, I thought I had limited rights and assumed the mother gets everything, which wasn't the case per Debbie. She asks what do you want and then tells you what's realistic. She doesn't waste your time or hers on meaningless issues. She knows what's the norm in the courts and what you're likely to get which comes from decades of experience. She understands this is a very emotional process and these matters get out of hand but she is there to keep you grounded and focused on the prize. She wrapped up my divorce/support/custody/visitation battle in 6 months. There were times, I tended to get off the game plan and could have ruined my chances for more visitation time with my children & support, but luckily Debbie was there to set me straight, focus on the plan and trust her. She can be tough with you and it's ONLY because she wants the best for her clients during the case and after. The key to your success with Debbie is to trust her 100% and know she has your back completely. If I had to do it all over again (which I hope doesn't happen again lol), I'd sit back and wait for Debbie's instructions. If she tells you not to do something, then don't do it. Even if you feel it's not a big deal and it can't hurt you - it will come back to bite you in the rear!!! Just put your faith in her and you'll be okay.

Posted by anonymous | July 07, 2014 | Child Support

More than a lawyer, my POWER TOOL

I don't wish divorce on anyone, but if you are going that route, Deborah Fiss is that one power tool to have by your side. She is tough and knows the law. She will fight for your rights and guide you through the process with ease and professionalism. Deborah gave me options on how to proceed and ...I was in control of how I wanted my divorce to turn out. Also, having children involved makes the whole process a lot more delicate. She was able to combine my child support, child custody and divorce all into one which saved me time and took me away from the ugliness of it all. In the end I am very happy with the outcome of my divorce and have been able to move on as a new person, a stable mother (emotionally & financially) and most important a confidant woman, all thanks to Deborah - my secret weapon.

Posted by Cynthia | February 12, 2014 | Child Support

A reputable family law attorney who truly cares about you.

When I first consulted with Ms. Fiss I was emotionally drained from attempting to handle my child custody matters on my own. I now have a lot less fear and stress because Ms. Fiss is protecting all of my legal rights and is guiding me through the court process. Not only is she a reputable attorney... in Queens county, Ms. Fiss offers a network of support for single parents going through similar situations. She truly cares on a personal level but is highly professional in court, always looking out for my child's well-being. If you are willing to be honest with yourself and look at the bigger picture in order to be the best parent you can for your child, Ms. Fiss is the attorney to help you get through legal custody/visitation/support matters.

Posted by Laura | February 09, 2013 | Child Support

Restored my faith in the system!

Debbie worked with me post-judgement to rectify a difficult and one-sided child support and custody situation. She was extremely accurate in her judgement and knowledge of the situation and of her specialty, divorce law. She was proficient and very fair allocating my time and money, always profession...al in court, and a tough negotiator. What separates her from the rest is that she truly and personally cares for her clients and their families and strives to get the best outcome for everyone involved. She was always supportive and available, going the extra mile during a very difficult time and helping her clients move on with their lives as intact as possible.

See All Client Reviews

Deborah G. Fiss's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Deborah
Scott I. Orgel headshot
Scott Orgel

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Fiss and i have been adversaries on several matters. She is a knowledgeable attorney that fights hard for her clients."

Judd S Nemiro headshot
Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Mar 05

Relationship: Other

"Very determined and dedicated attorney. I endorse this lawyer."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Nov 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Sherri Fae Donovan headshot
Sherri Donovan

Family lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Deborah is an experienced, highly skilled, and knowledgeable attorney. In addition, her warmth as a human being and intelligence shines through for anyone she represents."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Child custody lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A truly excellent attorney well respected in the legal community. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Asaf Jacob Sarno headshot
Asaf Sarno

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Debbie is a zealous and compassionate advocate for her clients. She has the experience, knowledge, and work ethic to achieve the best result possible. Besides her exceptional legal skills, she is a genuinely good person. I wholeheartedly endorse Debbie G. Fiss."

Andrew David Blum headshot
Andrew Blum

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have known Debbie for a number of years, and we have been opposing counsel on a number of cases. I have always found her to be an excellent attorney. Debbie is well prepared and knowledgeable. While she always tries to be pragmatic and to take a reasonable approach, she also is always willing to vigorously litigate on behalf of her clients when necessary. She is a true professional. I endorse this lawyer."

Robert Gerard McDermott headshot
Robert McDermott

Family lawyer | Nov 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Deborah and I worked together on a very difficult custody matter. She was very professional and a strong advocate for her client, while maintaining a compassionate and dignified demeanor. Deb knows the law, and knows people. She combines her knowledge of the law and her understanding of human nature to not only get a good result, but to make every effort to do the "right thing" for the people in these difficult situations. Deb is not only an effective advocate who is well known to the courts in the five boroughs, but a good person. Enthusiastic, sharp, ethical and well respected by both court personnel and adversaries."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Oct 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Zebulon Kelly Chandler headshot
Zebulon Chandler

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Fiss in all areas of family and custody law."

Peter McGrath headshot
Peter McGrath

Unknown lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Fiss without reservation. She has a firm understanding of family law, and uses such understanding to effectively analyze complex factual situations. Superlative attorney."

Manuel Portela Jr. headshot
Manuel Portela

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Meryl L Kovit headshot
Meryl Kovit

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ralph Duthely headshot
Ralph Duthely

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Debbie was a mentor early in my career. She is one of the most respected matrimonial and family law attorneys in Queens."

Edwin Drantivy headshot
Edwin Drantivy

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Great attorney. Deborah G. Fiss has a wealth of knowledge to go along with the ability to see where a situation is headed and develop a sound, effective strategy for her clients."

David Ivan Bliven headshot
David Bliven

Family lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Deborah. I have both served as law guardian on at least one of her cases, as well as an opposing attorney on at least a couple others (that I recall). On each case, she showed not only a high degree of competence but also a high degree of professionalism. Potential clients will be well served by hiring Deborah."

Fran Brochstein headshot
Fran Brochstein

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. If I had a divorce question in NY, I would definitely contact this attorney for advice."

Jack Richard Lebowitz headshot
Jack Lebowitz

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Fiss always seems to nail questions about messy issues of child visitation and custody by focusing on the emotional and communications issues between the disputants and how they often get in the way of resolving issues between parents that are not in the "best interests of the child". So much of family law revolves more around emotional intelligence and insights about human motivations rather than the letter of the law, which is relatively simple and straightforward. If I had a child custody or visitation issue, I'd want to have Ms. Fiss on my side and helping to get the warring parties "get to yes" in an expeditious, straight forward and cost-effective manner. Ms. Fiss is an asset to the Avvo community."

Randi L. Karmel headshot
Randi Karmel

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Deborah G. Fiss is an excellent and dedicated attorney who cares about her clients in every aspect of their lives. She knows the law, is well-respected in the legal community and her clients are proud to have her by their side. Just read their endorsements of her! I highly recommend her for any matrimonial and family matter."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Fiss is one of the finest Divorce/Family Law attorneys in her state. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend her legal services."

View All Endorsements
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Myra Shapiro

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Sherri Fae Donovan headshot
Sherri Donovan

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Asaf Sarno

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Robert Gerard McDermott headshot
Robert McDermott

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Meryl Kovit

Adoption lawyer

Edwin Drantivy headshot
Edwin Drantivy

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Ralph Duthely headshot
Ralph Duthely

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David Ivan Bliven headshot
David Bliven

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Jack Lebowitz

Family lawyer

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Martin Pollak

Divorce and separation lawyer

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Howard Lewis

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jean M. Mahserjian headshot
Jean Mahserjian

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Randi Karmel

Divorce and separation lawyer

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Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1995.

Suspension issued in NY, 1995

updated on 05/02/2017

Suspended means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Work Experience

1983 - 2012

Owner, Deborah G. Fiss, Esq.

Associations

1982 - Present

Queens County Bar Association

Family Law Committee

Sample of Legal Cases

Matter of Rodriguez v. Silva

stay denied by Appellate Division, Second Department

Chan v. Chan

upheld by the Appellate Division, Second Department

Melish v. Melish

upheld by the Appellate Division, Second Department

See More Legal Cases

Education

1981

Brooklyn Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1978

State University of New York, Binghamton

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2009

CLE class

Child support enforcement

2004

Queens County Bar Association

Family Law

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1995
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution