Skip to main content
Call 24/7
(312)408-7000
Home
Attorneys
Attorneys
View All Attorneys
Jonathan Merel
Melissa Caballero Dunn
Jaclyn DeSana
Aurelija Fitzpatrick
Bradley R. Kaye
Ashley Margason
William McSurley
Josephine Norton
Annemarie Tarara
David Zwaska
Marleena Broekema
Mitchell J. Dean
Colette Gallo
Laude Hartrum IV
Cora Leeuwenburg
Paige Ryterski
Divorce Coach
About
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
Testimonials
About
About Our Firm
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
Testimonials
Practice Areas
Practice Areas
Family Law
Divorce Lawyers
High Net Worth Divorce
Alimony Lawyers
Child Custody Lawyers
Property Division Lawyers
Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers
LGBTQ Family Law
LGBTQ Divorce Lawyers
View All Practice Areas
Blog
Locations
Locations
Downtown Chicago
Highland Park
Hinsdale
Metro Detroit, MI
Contact
Contact the Firm
Make a Payment
Make a Payment
Contact Us
Home
Attorneys
Our Leadership
Jonathan Merel
Founder and Managing Principal
Melissa Caballero Dunn
Managing Partner
Our Partners & Associates
Marleena Broekema
Partner
Jaclyn DeSana
Partner
Aurelija Fitzpatrick
Partner
Bradley R. Kaye
Partner
Ashley Margason
Partner
William McSurley
Partner
Josephine Norton
Partner
Paige Ryterski
Partner
Annemarie Tarara
Partner
David Zwaska
Partner
David R. Dawson
Of Counsel
Mitchell J. Dean
Associate
Colette Gallo
Associate
Laude Hartrum IV
Associate
Cora Leeuwenburg
Associate
Emily Morris
Associate
Samantha Sharland
Associate
Melissa Spero
Associate
Kara Wolinski
Associate
Attorneys
View All Attorneys
Jonathan Merel
Melissa Caballero Dunn
Jaclyn DeSana
Aurelija Fitzpatrick
Bradley R. Kaye
Ashley Margason
William McSurley
Josephine Norton
Annemarie Tarara
David Zwaska
Marleena Broekema
Mitchell J. Dean
Colette Gallo
Laude Hartrum IV
Cora Leeuwenburg
Paige Ryterski
Divorce Coach
About
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
Testimonials
About
About Our Firm
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
Testimonials
Practice Areas
Family Law
Divorce Lawyers
High Net Worth Divorce
Alimony Lawyers
Child Custody Lawyers
Property Division Lawyers
Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers
LGBTQ Family Law
LGBTQ Divorce Lawyers
Second Parent Adoption
Practice Areas
Family Law
Divorce Lawyers
High Net Worth Divorce
Alimony Lawyers
Child Custody Lawyers
Property Division Lawyers
Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers
LGBTQ Family Law
LGBTQ Divorce Lawyers
View All Practice Areas
Blog
Blog
Categories
Child Custody
Child Support
Co-Parenting
Divorce
Domestic Violence
Family Law
Firm News
LGBTQ+ Family Law
Property Division
View All Posts
Latest From Our Blog
How To Save Money in a Divorce
What If I’m The Breadwinner And The One Filing For Divorce?
How Your Texts, DMs, And Posts Can Make Or Break A Divorce Case
Locations
Downtown Chicago
440 W Randolph Ave. 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
312-408-7000
View Location
Highland Park
595 Elm Place Suite 225
Highland Park, IL 60035
312-408-7000
View Location
Hinsdale
40 E. Hinsdale Rd. Suite 202
Hinsdale, IL 60521
312-408-7000
View Location
Metro Detroit, MI
101 West Big Beaver Rd. Suite 1400
Troy, MI 48084
248-716-7000
View Location
Locations
Downtown Chicago
Highland Park
Hinsdale
Metro Detroit, MI
Contact
Contact the Firm
Make a Payment
Make a Payment
Contact Us
312-408-7000
248-716-7000
Schedule a Consultation
Learning Center
Family Law Blog
Providing Professional, Reputable and Approachable Legal Counsel.
Schedule a Consultation
Recent Blog Posts
Happy 15th Birthday, Merel Family Law!
March 11, 2024 | Merel Family Law
There’s been a lot of change for Merel Family Law in the past 15 years. From rapid growth and expansion of services to a ful…
Read more
How a Second Marriage Can Impact Children
March 2, 2024 | Jonathan Merel
Remarrying after a divorce is a time for celebration—for the most part. It might not be obvious, but many children of divorc…
Read more
Can I Spend Money While Going Through a Divorce?
December 1, 2023 | Jonathan Merel
When you are going through a divorce, it can feel like your life comes to a standstill while you work out the detail with yo…
Read more
The Essential Guide to Creating a Comprehensive Parenting Plan
November 6, 2023 | Jonathan Merel
Creating a comprehensive parenting plan is crucial for divorced or separated parents to ensure the well-being and stability…
Read more
How to Modify Child Support in Illinois
October 31, 2023 | Jonathan Merel
Child Support is a critical component of ensuring the well-being of children whose parents are no longer together. In Illino…
Read more
Evidence in Domestic Violence Cases: What Illinois Family Courts Consider
October 24, 2023 | Jonathan Merel
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects countless families across the United States, including in the state of I…
Read more
Legal vs. DIY Divorce: Which Is Right for Your Situation?
October 20, 2023 | Jonathan Merel
Divorce is never an easy process. It’s an emotionally charged and complex journey that often involves a myriad of decisions…
Read more
How Does Divorce Affect Women?
April 10, 2023 | Jonathan Merel
Divorce is a life-changing event that affects both men and women, but studies have shown that women often experience more ne…
Read more
With Teen Parents, Who Is Responsible for Child Support?
September 30, 2021 | Jonathan Merel
When it comes to teen parents, child support is often complicated. Because the parents of the child may be considered minors…
Read more
Homestead Rights in Illinois
July 30, 2021 | Jonathan Merel
The word “homestead” might bring to mind how the U.S. western territory was settled, by allowing any American to put in a cl…
Read more
Understanding How to Divorce a Foreign-Born Spouse
July 7, 2021 | Merel Family Law
A 2021 report from the U.S. Census Bureau offers interesting data when it comes to marriage in the U.S. On average, foreign-…
Read more
Why Some Couples Choose Civil Unions Over Marriage
February 9, 2021 | Jonathan Merel
What Is a Civil Union? In Illinois, a civil union is a legal relationship between two people that affords them the same lega…
Read more
Does Illinois Recognize Common Law Marriage?
August 28, 2020 | Jonathan Merel
What is Common Law Marriage? Common law marriage consists of two individuals living together who have not been legally marri…
Read more
1
2
Get Help Now
Get In Touch With Your Fiercest Advocates
Start Today