meet

Debra L. Mechanick

Uniquely Qualified
Debra L. Mechanick is a distinguished matrimonial attorney, licensed to practice in New York State, who holds a Masters in Social Work degree from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor law degree from Pace University. This dual degree confers a unique skillset Debra uses to solve complex matrimonial problems.

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The MECHANICK LAW Three-Step Approach:
Resolving Legal Challenges During Marriage

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step 1

Legal Analysis

Determine the best legal course of action

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step 2

Provide core legal work to develop and finalize an agreement

Written Contract

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step 3

Continued legal support as needed after the agreement is fully satisfied

Follow Up

  • "I have had the privilege of working with Debra since 2018, when she represented me in my divorce. Debra stands out as both an expert in her field and a person of remarkable integrity. What resonated most with me was Debra’s ability to balance empathy with firmness. She consistently demonstrated compassion while maintaining a confident and effective advocacy style. I think of her as a model of how to approach one’s work—with dignity, respect, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right. To this day, I look up to her and contact her to help me to resolve any legal matter."

    R.F.

  • "Navigating my divorce was overwhelming, and Debra’s integrity, expertise, and strategic guidance led to a winning outcome while giving me confidence and peace of mind. She approached every step of the process with unwavering integrity, clarity, and compassion. Debra’s guidance was always ethical and goal-driven, she kept me focused on what truly mattered while protecting my best interests. She also handled everything with remarkable efficiency and cost-effectiveness, which I deeply appreciated. Beyond being an exceptional lawyer, Debra was a steady source of reassurance and understanding. Her professionalism, empathy, and dedication turned an incredibly difficult situation into one I could navigate with confidence and peace of mind. I will always be grateful for her support and expertise."

    F.O.

  • "Debra was always professional, responsive, and patient in all our interactions. She was able to explain processes and put our minds at ease and I would have no hesitation in recommending her services."

    N.C.

  • "Debra handled and explained everything clearly and professionally, step-by-step. Even when the situation became more challenging, she remained focused on the goal, which allowed me to do the same."

    S.J.

  • "I hired Debra Mechanick for my uncontested divorce in 2023, and I'm really glad I did. She made a stressful situation feel manageable and always kept me informed about what was happening and what to expect. I felt genuinely well-represented the entire time. Debra was professional, clear, and easy to talk to, and I always felt like I was in good hands. I was completely satisfied and would recommend her without hesitation."

    E.F.

  • "Debra helped me successfully navigate a complex legal situation, offering knowledgeable guidance and a thoughtful strategy that saved me both time and unnecessary expense. Her professionalism, empathy, and straightforward advice made a difficult process much easier, and I genuinely appreciated her focus on practical solutions. I’ve since trusted her with additional legal matters, confident in her expertise and ability to handle sensitive issues with care and fairness."

    V.A.

  • "I wanted to thank you for your support. Your professionalism and compassion really helped us navigate this process in a way that will enable us to have a good co-parenting relationship. It may not have been possible without you, and I am grateful for your help."

    R.K.

  • "If you are faced with divorce, your best choice for legal representation is Debra Lynn Mechanick. Debra is thorough, poised, and tenacious. She kept me focused on the legal rather than the emotional, answered questions I didn’t think to ask, and fought for things I didn’t know I was entitled to. I am grateful for her attention to detail and for making an extremely challenging period less stressful. Who you choose as an advocate in a time like this makes all the difference in your future. I was fortunate to have Debra on my side. Debra fought for me and I have no doubt she will do the same for you."

    M.O.

  • “At my first consultation with Debra, I was truly blown away. I consulted with other attorneys before I found Debra who were dismissive and showed no understanding of my situation. Debra advised me on the legal aspects of my divorce, informed me about rights I didn’t even know I had, and also gave me the confidence to advocate for myself if necessary. It was clear that this isn’t just a job for her, and she truly cares about her clients and them being able to get the best results possible no matter what limitations they might have financially or otherwise. I highly recommend Debra for assistance with any stage of the divorce process.”

    F.O.

  • “Going through a divorce, after more than 30 years of marriage, was one of the most fraught and difficult experiences of my life. I was overwhelmed emotionally, and I dreaded taking the first step I knew I had to take, which was finding a divorce attorney to represent me. Debra Mechanick was the first and only divorce attorney I met with. From our first consultation, I knew I was in not only very capable, but caring hands. Debra listened to all my concerns, and, once we started working together (which was made more complicated by the COVID pandemic), she guided me with a steady, insightful hand through the Byzantine divorce laws of New York State, keeping me informed of what to expect at each stage. I recommend Debra to anyone facing a divorce. She will advise and support you with knowledge, kindness, and integrity."

    S.K.A.

  • “I had a truly exceptional experience working with Debra during my divorce. She was incredibly thorough in every stage of the process and guided me toward a fair, equitable agreement with my ex-husband. What stood out most was her compassion and genuine care, she never made the process feel transactional or focused on billable hours. Instead, she took the time to understand my situation, support me emotionally, and advocate for my best interests. I’m deeply grateful for her kindness, professionalism, and dedication. I would highly recommend Debra to anyone navigating a divorce.”

    H.A.

  • “I was connected with Debra through the New York City Bar Legal Referral Service and was so fortunate for this, as Debra was quite literally a godsend. She handled my case impeccably and got me the best outcome, all while navigating things extremely smoothly and with great communication skills, emotional intelligence, and empathy. It was an excellent experience in a very challenging case. I highly recommend Debra without any reservations whatsoever.”

    P.L.

  • “Debra was an incredible support throughout my case. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable and professional, but she also handled everything efficiently while always being responsive to my questions and concerns. Her guidance made a challenging time so much easier to navigate, and I felt truly supported every step of the way. I am so grateful for her expertise and compassion.”

    K.W.

  • "I could not have asked for better representation in my divorce than I received from Debra Mechanick. I always felt in steady, wise, measured hands—that my time was valued, responses were prompt, and that I had her complete and thorough attention at every meeting. At what can be a difficult, stressful, and highly emotional time for anyone, Deb managed to be both greatly empathetic while also being incredibly efficient—always keeping the process moving forward in a timely and positive fashion until it reached its resolution in a manner that was as quick and as satisfactory as I could have hoped. I was--and remain--incredibly pleased with and grateful for the wise counsel and representation I received from her."

    R.W.

  • "Debra helped me navigate a divorce that could have become contentious, but never did thanks to her steady, fair, and deeply thoughtful approach. She focused on outcomes rather than escalation, and I always felt supported and protected throughout the process. I didn’t hesitate to work with her again when she later assisted me with a prenuptial agreement for my new marriage."

    C.J.

  • "Debra served as my consulting attorney for my separation agreement during an incredibly challenging and sensitive time. She asked thoughtful questions to fully understand my situation and the outcomes I hoped to achieve, then reviewed every detail with expertise to ensure my interests were fully protected. Her responsiveness and compassionate approach made a difficult process far more manageable. I felt supported, understood, and confident in her guidance throughout."

    J.J.

Attorney Fees

  • Consultation

    Your initial 45-minute consultation is $550.00, paid in advance at the time of scheduling. Additional time is billed at $825.00 per hour, calculated in 6-minute increments.

  • Retainer Agreement

    Legal fees are determined by the unique circumstances of each case, and total costs will vary accordingly. Within 48 hours of your consultation, you will receive a detailed estimate of cost as well as the required amount of the retainer deposit to begin representation.

FAQs

  • The MECHANICK LAW Three-Step Approach makes complicated marital legal issues easier to understand and resolve. The first step is “analysis,” the second is “contract", and the third is “follow up.” As highlighted in client testimonials, Debra’s method centers on listening closely to each client’s priorities, providing clear explanations about legal options, and crafting strategies using thoughtful reasoning. Debra carefully manages the implementation of legal solutions and remains available for ongoing support, even after all agreement terms are satisfied.

  • A legal separation is a formal, written agreement between two parties, allowing them to live apart indefinitely while remaining legally married. Reasons for remaining legally married vary, with the most commons reasons being the ability to stay on a spouse’s health insurance plan or for religious reasons. You may not legally remarry during a legal separation. Only a judgment of divorce granted by a court can change your legal status from married to single, enabling you to legally remarry.

  • An uncontested divorce occurs when both parties agree on all major legal issues, such as custody, support, and property division. In this scenario, we file an “Uncontested Divorce Packet” with the court, and the judge will then grant a divorce without requiring court appearances. In contrast, a contested divorce happens when parties cannot reach agreement on one or more issues, requiring them to appear in court so the judge can rule on the unresolved matters.

  • Contested divorces generally take longer due to the need for multiple court appearances, which may be scheduled weeks or months apart. Uncontested divorces are usually faster, depending on the county, and can take anywhere from two to six months.

  • When divorcing, both parties have rights and obligations as outlined in New York State’s Domestic Relations Law. Each of you is entitled to a fair share of the marital estate, appropriate financial support based on your individual circumstances, and a custody arrangement that serves the best interests of your children.

  • It is considered best for the children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents, even when living in separate households. Most parents reach agreements on shared custody. Judges generally do not grant sole custody to one parent unless there is a compelling reason.

  • A fair settlement depends on full disclosure of all assets and liabilities, with penalties for dishonesty. If there are concerns about transparency, the court can order a thorough forensic investigation to ensure all financial information is revealed.

  • Typically, the spouse with the higher income and more assets is responsible for paying most of the legal fees. If the court finds that one party is unnecessarily prolonging proceedings or filing frivolous motion, it may impose additional sanctions and require that party to pay extra legal fees to the other side.

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