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Merel Family Law

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What Qualifies as a Valid Marriage in Illinois?

May 28, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Marriage is a legal relationship that is governed by state law. The marital relationship arises from an agreement between tw…

Strengthen Your Future Marriage with a Prenup

May 7, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Though not as romantic as the question, “Will you marry me?”, “Can we have a prenup?” is just as important to ask of your pa…

IL Order of Protection and Family Home Rights

May 1, 2026 | Merel Family Law

When most people think about an order of protection, they think about a no-contact directive. Stay away from me. Don’t call…

Why Do Some Couples Choose Civil Unions Over Marriage?

April 27, 2026 | Merel Family Law

What Is a Civil Union? In Illinois, a civil union is a legal relationship between two people that affords them the same lega…

What Is Dissipation of Marital Assets?

April 24, 2026 | Merel Family Law

One of the most difficult aspects of a divorce is dealing with finances. Not only does a couple have to go through the compl…

The Signs of Parental Alienation

April 22, 2026 | Merel Family Law

What Is Parental Alienation Syndrome? Parental alienation syndrome (PAS) occurs when one parent routinely badmouths or dispa…

Parental Responsibilities in Illinois

April 10, 2026 | Merel Family Law

If you have been through a family law case in Illinois recently, you may have noticed that courts no longer use the word “cu…

Temporary vs Permanent Spousal Support in IL

April 3, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Spousal support doesn’t work the way most people think it does. There isn’t just one kind, and it doesn’t automatically kick…

Essential Habits for Family Law Clients

March 30, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Certain habits separate clients who thrive during legal proceedings from those who struggle. Family law cases demand more th…

Parental Alienation and Illinois Courts

March 27, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Parental alienation occurs when one parent, intentionally or not, influences a child to reject or fear the other parent with…

Is It Possible to Avoid Paying Alimony in Illinois?

March 11, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Whether or not you will have to pay alimony, also known as spousal support or maintenance, to your ex-spouse after your divo…

What You Should Include in a Prenuptial Agreement

March 6, 2026 | Merel Family Law

If you are preparing to get married and decided to include a prenuptial agreement in these arrangements, you should do what…

Repairing Trust Between You and Your Former Spouse

March 4, 2026 | Merel Family Law

After a divorce, raising children with your former spouse can feel like an insurmountable task. Your trust in one another ma…

Changing Your Name For Marital Reasons

March 2, 2026 | Merel Family Law

For many people in the United States, it is customary for a spouse—usually the wife—to assume their spouse’s name after gett…

Allocating Parental Responsibility In Illinois

February 18, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Historically, family law courts drew a distinction between legal custody and physical custody when deciding child custody is…

What To Wear To Family Court

February 9, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Obtaining a favorable outcome in your divorce case or child custody dispute not only depends on your character, history with…

Grandparent Custody In Illinois

January 29, 2026 | Merel Family Law

While grandparents can obtain visitation rights to see and continue to have a lasting and loving relationship with a grandch…

Your Essential Guide To Creating A Comprehensive Parenting Plan

January 26, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Creating a comprehensive parenting plan is crucial for divorced or separated parents to ensure the well-being and stability…

When Spousal Maintenance Ends In Illinois

January 23, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Spousal maintenance doesn’t last forever. Well, in most cases it doesn’t. Illinois law provides specific guidelines for how…

Who Should Have A Prenuptial Agreement?

January 14, 2026 | Merel Family Law

Marriage is not just about two individuals coming together to become a family; it’s a legal contract. This makes prenuptial…

What To Expect During Your First Family Law Consultation

November 9, 2025 | Merel Family Law

Walking into a family law attorney’s office for the first time can feel overwhelming. You might be dealing with divorce, cus…

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements: What They Should Cover

November 8, 2025 | Merel Family Law

When most people hear the word “prenup,” they think of celebrities, billionaires, or high-profile divorces splashed across t…

Protecting A Father’s Parental Rights

October 16, 2025 | Merel Family Law

Standing Up For Your Rights As A Father If you are in the unfortunate situation of having your rights as a father challenged…

Support Modifications After Divorce

October 16, 2025 | Merel Family Law

Even after a divorce is finalized, financial circumstances can change over time, making it necessary to revisit existing sup…