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Jonathan Merel
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Mitchell J. Dean
Colette Gallo
Laude Hartrum IV
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Nicole Fagin
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Filing For Divorce In Illinois Guide
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Recent Posts
Filing For Divorce In Illinois Guide
January 20, 2026 | Merel Family Law
You’re thinking about filing for divorce. Maybe you’ve been thinking about it for months, or maybe the decision came suddenl…
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What Dissipation Of Assets In Divorce Is
January 13, 2026 | Merel Family Law
Dissipation of assets happens when one spouse wastes, hides, or inappropriately spends marital property while the marriage i…
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Understanding How Does Divorce Affect Women
January 12, 2026 | Merel Family Law
Divorce is a life-changing event that affects both men and women, but studies have shown that women often experience more ne…
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How Does Divorce Affect Men?
January 9, 2026 | Merel Family Law
Divorce is a difficult and life-changing event that can impact both men and women in a variety of ways. While much has been…
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Family Business Division In Divorce
January 8, 2026 | Merel Family Law
When you’ve built a business with your spouse, divorce doesn’t just end a marriage. It threatens everything you’ve created…
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How Does A Second Marriage Can Impact Children
January 7, 2026 | Merel Family Law
Remarrying after a divorce is a time for celebration—for the most part. It might not be obvious, but many children of divorc…
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Modifying Parenting Plans After Divorce
January 5, 2026 | Merel Family Law
Life doesn’t pause when your divorce decree gets signed. Kids grow older and their needs shift. Maybe you landed a new job w…
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Divorce Statistics Across America
January 5, 2026 | Merel Family Law
For as strong as most marriages begin, many will ultimately end in divorce. Our Troy, MI divorce lawyer knows it’s rarely an…
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Discovery In Illinois Divorce Cases
January 1, 2026 | Merel Family Law
The discovery process feels overwhelming to many people going through divorce. There’s no way around it. You get requests fo…
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What Happens To Inheritances & Family Money In A Divorce In IL & MI
December 31, 2025 | Merel Family Law
You got the call. Your beloved Aunt Mildred has passed, and she left you $150,000. It’s a bittersweet moment. You file it aw…
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A Guide To Dividing Executive Comp (RSUs, Stocks, & Bonuses) In IL & MI
December 29, 2025 | Merel Family Law
In a high-net-worth divorce, the real money often is not in the checking account. It’s on a vesting schedule. If you or your…
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How To Tell Your Kids You’re Getting A Divorce
December 26, 2025 | Merel Family Law
This is the talk every parent dreads. Your stomach is in knots. You’re terrified of saying the wrong thing and breaking your…
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My Ex’s Lawyer Is A Nightmare. Is This Normal?
December 24, 2025 | Merel Family Law
So, it’s happened. Your ex hired that lawyer. As your attorneys, we just got the first email from them. It’s a 10-page singl…
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Why Rushing Your High-Asset Divorce is a Multi-Million Dollar Mistake
December 22, 2025 | Merel Family Law
“I just want out.” “I’m so tired of fighting. Just let them have it.” “Can’t we just sign the papers and be done by Friday?”…
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Joint Business Ownership And Divorce
December 19, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Owning a business with your spouse adds layers of difficulty to an already complicated divorce process. You’re not just divi…
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When Mediation Fails In Your Divorce
December 17, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Mediation doesn’t always work. You sit down with your spouse and a mediator, both sides try to negotiate in good faith, and…
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Can Mediation Keep Your Divorce Private
December 10, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Nobody wants their personal business spread across public records. Divorce involves deeply private matters, your finances, y…
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Dividing Retirement Accounts In Divorce
December 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
You’ve spent years building your retirement savings. Now you’re facing divorce, and that nest egg is about to become part of…
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Essential Financial Records For Divorce
December 5, 2025 | Merel Family Law
You need to get your financial documents in order before filing for divorce. Once your spouse knows you’re filing, everythin…
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Mediation Limits In Illinois Divorces
December 1, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Divorce mediation can be a lifeline for couples who want to avoid dragging each other through court. It’s cheaper and faster…
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Can You Modify Property Division After Your Divorce Is Final
November 27, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Property division orders in Illinois are meant to be final. Once a judge signs off on how your assets get split, that’s usua…
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A Financial Advisor, A Divorce Coach, And A Lawyer Walk Into A Bar… Why Your Divorce Needs A Team
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
It sounds like the setup to a joke, but it’s actually the answer to the most important question in a divorce: “How do I get…
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My Ex Won’t Follow The Parenting Plan: A Guide To Contempt And Enforcement
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
There is almost nothing more frustrating. You have a 40-page detailed court-ordered Parenting Plan. You went through months…
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AI, Deepfakes, And Your Divorce: The New Wave Of Evidence Is Here
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
We’ve all gotten used to the idea that a Ring camera or an angry text message can be a star witness in a divorce case. That’…
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