Susan Debra Stuart

PRO

Susan Debra Stuart

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 46 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Smithtown, NY
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Uncontested Divorce, Family ... +3 more

50 Route 111, Ste 315, Smithtown, NY

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Susan

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 40%

46 years | 5,000 cases

40%
Uncontested Divorce 30%

4,000 cases

30%
Family 15%

46 years | 3,000 cases

15%
Marriage and Prenuptials 5%

46 years | 1,500 cases

5%
Real Estate 5%

46 years | 1,500 cases

5%
Wills and Living Wills 5%

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 90 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

Awards

Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 5
Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2023 2016
Distinguished Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 46 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1980

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Location

Susan Stuart

50 Route 111, Ste 315, Smithtown, NY, 11787

susandstuartesq.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Susan online.

Susan Debra Stuart's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

32 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (32) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 31 - 32 of 32 reviews

Posted by anonymous | March 30, 2026 | Divorce & Separation

Runs When things are Complex/Resistance

Disgusting woman, I CANNOT RECOMMEND her services. Susan called me 20 mins late after my SET appointment time being 2:30pm today. She’s an incompetent incredible human being. I had advised her of my situation regarding a divorce proceedings, she made a biased decision and HIGHLY judgmental and not un...derstanding of someone’s feelings and situation. When I confronted her towards the END of her consultation by phone, she became DEFENSIVE AND COMBATIVE. She abruptly hung the phone up in my face because I asked her why she would setup another meeting prior to me knowing she had agreed for 2:30pm she first lied to stay she had court then in the beginning of the call, towards the end she stated she had another consultation/meeting setup with another client prior to my time. lol, she admitted to the truth, she will run quickly when things become resistant or if it’s too difficult/complex. I told her I’m unable to find a job due to me being unemployed and she stated well I work for a living and I don’t see why you can’t get a job. She’s full of it, her ego and selfish attitude towards her customer is atrocious! She also had the nerve to admit since my spouse is the monied spouse that he would pay, but since I’m unemployed she stated I would have to pay. She’s a crook, a scam artist. The fact she had called 25 minutes late, I already knew I wasn’t going to retain her services and in return she got a bad review. Next time, you want a good review I suggest you treat your customer with respect and not go against the party that’s paying you, which you went in favor of a spouse who’s behind on spousal support payments which is just sickening! She didn’t want to help me because she wasn’t getting paid from me!

Posted by Kathy | August 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Got Milked'

Communication was also a major problem. Bills were mailed and emailed, but her responses were slow, hard to obtain, and always in formal letter format—never simple or direct. She did not accept credit cards, and even small delays in payment—often caused by the need to mail everything—were met with un...responsiveness and repeated calls stating “the accountant is here,” making her very difficult to reach.

Susan Stuart

Replied last November 19, 2025

I was shocked to view this communication by a client who retained me on June 29, 2021, and it took until December 27, 2024 to finalize all of the complex Domestic Relations Orders that were required. This client fails to state that I did not represent her during her initial divorce proceeding, and spent several months resolving the ambiguous issues within the settlement agreement drafted by her prior attorney. This client also fails to state that she was so pleased with my services, that she requested my representation for ancillary proceedings regarding her children. None of my clients are ever charged for photocopying nor clerical filing. This client may be confusing that with the mandatory fees required by the Suffolk County Clerk. All of my clients know that every communication is returned within 24 hours, unless I am on trial. Therefore, it is most disingenuous for this client to state that her files were handled in an irresponsible manner. It is significant to note that this process was exacerbated by the tremendous acrimony between my client and her ex-husband. They could both never agree upon the time of day, which protracted the process. In the end, while this client may complain, I provided every service that was requested of me with the highest degree of professionalism.

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Susan Debra Stuart's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Susan
Alexandria Jaquay headshot
Alexandria Jaquay

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Stuart provides a much needed service on Avvo. She donates her time to individuals who are in need of immediately legal answers."

John Peter Garvey headshot
John Garvey

Marriage and prenuptials lawyer | Feb 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse this lawyer. I have referred many clients to her and they have all been very satisfied with her service."

Christopher J. Chimeri headshot
Christopher Chimeri

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 10

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Susan and I have worked together on several matters in the last few years. I appreciate her professionalism, which is never overshadowed by her zealous advocacy of her clients, combined with practical approaches to very real, every day concerns."

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Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

10 Best Attorney, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2020

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2018

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2017

Distinguished Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2016

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2016

Susan D. Stuart - Featured 2016 Top Attorney, Top Attorneys of North America

Work Experience

1991 - Present

Sole Practitioner, Susan D. Stuart, Esq.

1987 - 1991

Partner, Pace Stuart and Black

1984 - 1987

Sole Practitioner, Jacoby & Meyers & Associates, LLP

1980 - 1984

Staff Attorney, Suffolk County Legal Aid Society

Associations

1991 - Present

Suffolk County Bar Association

Lifetime Member

1985 - 1986

Suffolk County Women's Bar Association

Member

1984 - 1985

American Bar Association

Member

1981 - 1984

Legal Aid Society

Staff Attorney

Sample of Legal Cases

Pappas v Kells

The Appellate Division affirmed the Lower Court ruling. On appeal, I successfully represented the adoptive parent in a case of first impression versus a biological parent.

Mascola v Mascola

The Mother relocated to Florida and the Father retained sole custody of his children in New York!

See More Legal Cases

Education

1979

Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

J.D. - Cum Laude

1972

SUNY at Buffalo

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

French

Spanish

Activity

Top Contributor

Susan earned significant contribution points in 2025.

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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