Last Updated – March 15, 2026
Merel Family Law
Chicago Complex Divorce Lawyer
Providing Professional, Reputable and Approachable Legal Counsel.
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Last Updated – March 15, 2026
Read Time – Est:Chicago Complex Divorce Lawyer
Divorce can be a challenging and emotional process. Besides being emotionally taxing, divorces can also be expensive, and it can be hard to receive fair representation. When elements like high-value assets, business ownership, trusts, or significant child custody disputes are involved, you’ll want to work with our Chicago, IL complex divorce lawyer. Our team is here to help you through this situation when you call us at Merel Family Law!
Chicago, IL Complex Divorce Lawyer
What qualifies as a complex divorce can vary, but it typically includes significant assets like multiple properties, businesses, retirement accounts, stocks, and investments. These all require careful protection and/or division. If you have international assets, this can add another layer of complexity to the division process. Our legal team can help identify what qualifies as marital versus non-marital property, protecting your assets.
Besides financial worth, significant child custody disputes can make a divorce complex. Complex custody arrangements, like having multiple children or needing to relocate a child to another country, often call for our experienced attorneys. Our Chicago complex divorce lawyer can provide mediation and draft a plan that works best for both parties. Should going to court be required, we can represent you and the needs of your children.
In most cases, it’s often better to settle outside the courtroom; our attorneys will work hard to build a strong case. We’ll analyze all of your financial records alongside any relevant documents like prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. When relevant, evidence can also include marital misconduct, which can affect the division process. Often, even in a complex divorce, the ex-spouse will agree to mediation. However, should we be unable to reach an agreement, our experienced lawyers can apply legal pressure and take the case to court.
Why Experience Matters For Complex Divorces
For any divorce, it’s good practice to consult with our attorneys, but this is especially the case with the divorce is dealing with complex matters.
- Our lead attorney, Jonathan Merel, founded our law firm in 2009 after being dissatisfied with how other law firms handle family law, especially divorces. He works hard to represent every client with a specialized plan to help them get through new stages in life.
- Our law firm has grown within the last 15 years to have 20+ attorneys helping clients and families adjust to new life events. Besides attorneys, we have plenty of other employees who help both our attorneys and clients.
- Jonathan Merel and our law firm as a whole have been recognized several times, with awards including being voted by U.S. News as part of the best law firms and being recognized by Super Lawyers.
- We have a nearly perfect five-star rating from Google with over 300 positive five-star reviews from satisfied clients.
Dealing with divorce can be emotionally and financially challenging, especially when high stakes are involved. Help is available today when you work with our Chicago complex divorce lawyer. Call Merel Family Law today to see how our law firm can help!
Types Of Complex Divorce Services We Offer
If you have significant business or financial matters that are at risk in your divorce, your Chicago, IL complex divorce lawyer can help you protect your assets. At Merel Family Law, you can count on our team’s 220+ years of combined experience. Read on to see our services, and get in touch with us today.
High Net Worth Divorce
When one or both spouses have significant assets, property division can become more involved. Your high net worth divorce attorney can help you identify, value, and divide marital property such as real estate, investments, and retirement accounts fairly and efficiently.
Business Ownership And Professional Practices
Divorce involving a family business or professional practice requires special attention. As your business owner divorce attorney, we can assist you in evaluating ownership interests, determining business value, and developing fair arrangements that allow both parties to maintain financial stability.
Hidden Assets And Financial Investigations
In some cases, one spouse may attempt to conceal income or property. We work with financial professionals to identify all relevant assets and bring full transparency to the process so that every decision is based on accurate information.
Divorce With Multiple Properties
Couples who own several homes or investment properties often face challenges in dividing real estate equitably. Your Chicago complex divorce lawyer can assess property values, rental income, and tax implications to reach fair agreements that reflect your contributions and goals.
Complex Child Custody Arrangements
High-conflict or unusual custody situations require careful planning. We assist parents in developing parenting plans that address children’s needs, schedules, and education, while also resolving disputes over relocation or shared decision-making.
Divorce Involving Prenuptial Or Postnuptial Agreements
When a couple has a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, it can influence how assets are divided and how support is determined. We review the terms of these agreements and help clients understand how they apply to their current circumstances.
Spousal Support And Long-Term Financial Planning
In long marriages or those involving large income differences, spousal support can be a major factor. We work with clients to negotiate or litigate fair support terms that account for earning capacity, lifestyle, and future financial security.
Divorce With Debt And Financial Obligations
Dividing debt is often just as important as dividing assets. We help clients manage responsibilities such as mortgages, credit cards, or business loans and determine how these obligations will be shared.
Divorce With Inheritance Or Separate Property Issues
Disputes often arise over what qualifies as marital property versus what was inherited or owned before marriage. Your complicated divorce attorney can trace ownership records and maintain the proper classification of these assets.
Multi-Jurisdiction Or International Divorce
When spouses live in different states or countries, questions of jurisdiction and applicable law can complicate the process. We assist clients in determining where to file and how to protect their interests when property or family matters cross borders.
Contact Us Today
Divorce involving complex circumstances can be stressful, but having the right support makes a difference. At Merel Family Law, our family law experience includes high net worth divorces, child custody, and more. Get in touch with us today to get started with a Chicago complex divorce lawyer you can count on.
5 Steps in a Complex Divorce
Divorces involving significant assets, business interests, or contested financial matters often require a structured legal process. These cases may involve property valuation, financial disclosures, and detailed negotiation over long-term obligations. While every divorce is unique, complex cases generally follow a sequence of steps that help spouses address major legal and financial issues. Call us today to work with our Chicago, IL complex divorce lawyer!
1. Gathering Financial Information
The first step in a complex divorce involves collecting detailed financial records. Both spouses need to disclose income, assets, debts, and other relevant documents. This can include bank statements, tax returns, investment accounts, retirement funds, and property titles. For cases involving businesses or professional practices, additional records like ownership agreements, stock options, or partnership documentation may be required. Accurate information provides a foundation for property division, support discussions, and other critical decisions.
2. Identifying and Valuing Marital Assets
Once financial information is collected, the next step is determining which assets are marital property under Illinois law. Marital assets typically include homes, savings, retirement accounts, and other property acquired during the marriage. Certain assets may require professional valuation, particularly businesses, investments, or closely held properties. These valuations allow both parties to understand the total financial picture before dividing property.
3. Reviewing Business and Professional Interests
Many complex divorces involve one or both spouses owning a business or holding professional interests. Addressing these assets requires reviewing financial records, ownership agreements, and long-term business plans. The goal is to determine how these interests fit into the overall property division. Some cases result in one spouse keeping full ownership while the other receives compensation through other assets or structured payments. Our Chicago complex divorce lawyers bring decades of experience, and we can help you avoid costly mistakes if your complex divorce also means dealing with high assets.
4. Addressing Financial Support and Long-Term Obligations
Complex divorces often include spousal support or other financial responsibilities. Illinois courts consider factors such as income, financial needs, and the length of the marriage when evaluating support obligations. During this stage, spouses review their financial situation and discuss potential arrangements for support payments, duration, and related obligations. These discussions are often influenced by property division and other settlement terms. We assist clients in evaluating options and creating proposals that reflect both their current needs and future plans.
5. Negotiating and Finalizing the Divorce Agreement
The final step involves negotiating and drafting the divorce settlement agreement. This document addresses property division, financial support, and other key matters. When both parties reach an agreement, it can be submitted to the court for approval, avoiding the need for a trial. If disagreements remain, the court may make final determinations on unresolved issues.
Complex divorces can involve significant decisions with long-term financial consequences. At Merel Family Law, we work with clients to organize information, evaluate options, and pursue fair resolutions for high-asset or complicated divorces. We’re proud to have over 300 positive reviews, and our Chicago complex divorce lawyer is just a call away, so reach out to us today!
