Skip to main content
Home
Attorneys
Attorneys
View All Attorneys
Jonathan Merel
Melissa Caballero Dunn
Jaclyn DeSana
Bradley R. Kaye
Ashley Margason
William McSurley
Josephine Norton
David Zwaska
Marleena Broekema
Mitchell J. Dean
Colette Gallo
Laude Hartrum IV
Paige Ryterski
Nicole Fagin
Divorce Coach
About
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
Testimonials
In The Media
About
About Our Firm
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
In The Media
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
Contact Us
Payment Portal
Home
Attorneys
Our Leadership
Jonathan Merel
Founder and Managing Principal
Melissa Caballero Dunn
Managing Partner
Our Partners & Associates
Marleena Broekema
Partner
Jaclyn DeSana
Partner
Bradley R. Kaye
Partner
Ashley Margason
Partner
William McSurley
Partner
Lindsay Margolis
Partner
Josephine Norton
Partner
Laura Presto
Partner
Paige Ryterski
Partner
David Zwaska
Partner
Sunney Kohlhoss
Of Counsel
David R. Dawson
Of Counsel
Mitchell J. Dean
Associate
Nicole Fagin
Associate
Colette Gallo
Associate
Laude Hartrum IV
Associate
Emily Morris
Associate
Samantha Sharland
Associate
Melissa Spero
Associate
Attorneys
View All Attorneys
Jonathan Merel
Melissa Caballero Dunn
Jaclyn DeSana
Bradley R. Kaye
Ashley Margason
William McSurley
Josephine Norton
David Zwaska
Marleena Broekema
Mitchell J. Dean
Colette Gallo
Laude Hartrum IV
Paige Ryterski
Nicole Fagin
Divorce Coach
About
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
Testimonials
In The Media
About
About Our Firm
Check Out Our HQ
Support Staff
In The Media
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
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
Uncategorized
View All Posts
Latest From Our Blog
Modifying Orders For Decision-Making & Parenting Time
Ending Marriage Through Annulment Or Divorce
Parenting Plans 101: What Every Divorcing Parent Should Know
Locations
Downtown Chicago
440 W Randolph Ave. 5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
312-288-3057
View Location
Highland Park
595 Elm Place Suite 225
Highland Park, IL 60035
312-288-3057
View Location
Hinsdale
40 E. Hinsdale Rd. Suite 202
Hinsdale, IL 60521
312-288-3057
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
Contact Us
Payment Portal
312-288-3057
248-716-7000
Schedule a Consultation
Payment Portal
Learning Center
Divorce Posts
Providing Professional, Reputable and Approachable Legal Counsel.
Schedule a Consultation
Recent Posts
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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…
Read more
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’…
Read more
Financial Planning Tips For After Divorce: What To Watch Out For
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Divorce marks the end of one chapter, but it is also the beginning of another. While the legal process finalizes the dissolu…
Read more
What Happens If One Spouse Files For Bankruptcy During A Divorce?
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Divorce is often described as one of the most stressful events a person can experience. When financial challenges intersect…
Read more
Protecting Yourself From Financial Abuse In A Relationship Or Divorce
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Financial abuse is one of the most insidious forms of domestic control, yet it often goes overlooked. While physical and emo…
Read more
Same-Sex Divorce: Key Legal & Practical Considerations In Illinois
November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
While the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges guaranteed marriage equality nationwide, same-sex couples stil…
Read more
What To Expect During The Divorce Filing Process
October 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Filing for divorce is a major legal decision, and understanding what lies ahead can help minimize stress and uncertainty. Wh…
Read more
What NOT To Say To Your Friend Who’s Getting A Divorce
September 19, 2025 | Merel Family Law
You just found out your friend is getting divorced and along with wanting to help them find a good Troy, MI divorce lawyer…
Read more
How Modern Tech Is Changing Divorce Cases
September 19, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Not too long ago, the smoking gun in a divorce case was a receipt for a hotel room found in a coat pocket or a lipstick-stai…
Read more
What Is A Forensic Accountant?
September 19, 2025 | Merel Family Law
In a perfect world, a divorce would be a simple open-book test. Both people would lay all their financial cards on the table…
Read more
Five Divorce Myths That Will Cost You A Fortune
September 19, 2025 | Merel Family Law
When you’re going through a divorce, everyone suddenly becomes your Chicago, IL divorce lawyer, even though they do not have…
Read more
What To Expect During A Divorce
September 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Even when you know it is for the best, divorce is hard. If it is not your choice, it can be even harder. Since opening our d…
Read more
Is Collaborative Divorce Right For You?
September 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
While getting divorced is typically tough even under the best and most amicable circumstances, one way that tends to make it…
Read more
Top Divorce Myths Debunked
September 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
The dedicated team at Merel Family Law has helped thousands of clients get through divorce and we understand how overwhelmin…
Read more
Alimony Rules In Illinois And Michigan
September 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
If you are going through a divorce or are about to go through one, having a skilled and experienced Troy, MI alimony lawyer…
Read more
Spousal Support Vs. Alimony
September 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Spousal support and alimony are two terms that come up often in divorce conversations, and while they are frequently used in…
Read more
Top Questions About Divorce Mediation
September 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law
Divorce is never easy, but for many couples, mediation can be a more efficient and less stressful alternative to going to co…
Read more
1
2
3
4
5
Blog Categories
Uncategorized
Family Law
Divorce
Child Support
Child Custody
Firm News
Co-Parenting
Domestic Violence
Property Division
LGBTQ+ Family Law
Get Help Now
Get In Touch With Your Fiercest Advocates
Start Today