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Merel Family Law
Chicago High Conflict Divorce Lawyer
Merel Family Law
Merel Family Law
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Morgan Wilfinger
April 10, 2026
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa Caballero Dunn and we accomplished the goal we were seeking for a family case. She is very kind and knowledgeable, and I would highly recommend her. Thank you Melissa!
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Pamela M. Kelly
April 8, 2026
Merel Family Law, specifically Mitch Dean & Melissa Dunn, have been instrumental in every facet of my divorce. They not only have helped with all the legal issues, but have treated myself and my family like part of their own. I cannot say enough good things about the law firm and lawyers. They go above and beyond all expectations during incredibly stressful times.
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Elizabeth Davis
April 8, 2026
I would unequivocally recommend Josie to anyone going through a divorce. She is professional , knowledgeable, and reliable. Josie’s incredible work ethic and compassion was priceless to me during this difficult time in my life.
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Alexander Devera
March 26, 2026
David and Nicole are rockstar superstars. Who works harmoniously in tandem and producing good results. From our initial consultation to the resolution of my case, they demonstrated exceptional knowledge and attention to detail. They gave me clear, practical advice that helped me make the right decisions. That level of trust made a huge difference during such a difficult time. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone going through a divorce. I'm impressed with how quickly they respond to my inquiries and appreciate their availability via phone and text.
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Goben Trujillo
March 13, 2026
My attorney was Bradley kaye and he was absolutely amazing. He was always kind, professional and aggressive in court. As a single father of two, I was always being kicked around in court by the system until a met Bradley. A total monster in court that fights for fathers. He got me more summer time, more weekends and make up time with my kids. He answers emails within hours not days, answered an email late at night for me. Gets back to you as soon as possible. Brad is the man and is worth every penny. I wish I hired him earlier.
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Jesica Scandella
March 12, 2026
Excellent service. Very human people. Hard to find lawyers like Melissa Caballero Dunn.
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Chenhui Chen profile picture
Chenhui Chen
March 12, 2026
I’m very grateful for the support and professionalism my lawyer showed throughout my divorce case. Josephine was knowledgeable, patient, and always took the time to explain each step of the process clearly. During what was a very stressful time, they remained responsive, organized, and focused on protecting my best interests. Thanks to their guidance, the process went much more smoothly than I expected. I highly recommend their services to anyone needing a reliable and compassionate attorney.
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Xan Flink
March 11, 2026
Merel Law was excellent and I am very happy with the outcome of my divorce proceedings. I worked exclusively with Marleena and Colette, and they were incredibly supportive while helping me navigate what was at times a very stressful and overwhelming process. Before coming to Merel Law, I had worked with another firm that was certainly talented, but it wasn’t the right match for my personality or communication style. I can sometimes be a little too laid back in difficult situations, and Marleena and Colette really helped me identify my true goals and stay firm in achieving them. They were thoughtful and strategic in their approach, and their guidance helped me stay focused on what mattered most throughout the process. They were always responsive, answered all of my questions, and gave clear, knowledgeable advice about the best path forward. I truly appreciate all of their hard work, advocacy, and support, and I would absolutely recommend Marleena and Colette to anyone going through a divorce.
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Vic Lopez
March 6, 2026
I hired Marleena from Merel Family Law for my divorce, (no kids) after I fired my previous attorney. Marleena is a great communicator (all through email) and she will fight for you. She is smart and knows the law/procedures to a great extent. Marleena has a great team around her that makes the process more smooth. I was happy with my outcome and I highly recommend her.
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Margaret Lortie
March 6, 2026
I highly recommend Brad Kaye. He is smart, personable, and extremely skilled at strategic planning during the divorce process. He has a deep knowledge of the law and approaches cases thoughtfully and with a clear plan. Brad also does a great job balancing empathy with honesty. While he understands the personal nature of family law matters, he is realistic about what to expect within the legal system. That honesty and guidance were immensely valuable during this difficult process.
Providing Professional, Reputable and Approachable Legal Counsel.
Written/Reviewed by:

Jonathan Merel, Esq.

Last Updated – July 5, 2025
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Chicago High Conflict Divorce Lawyer

Every divorce comes with its own unique challenges, and chances are that there will be some kind of tension. Ideally, after some push and pull, the situation becomes amicable, with both sides being able to overcome their emotions and stick to some kind of agreement. This isn’t always the case, and some divorces can result in long, legal battles with the other side unwilling to compromise. When this happens, you want to work with our Chicago, IL high conflict divorce lawyer! Contact Merel Family Law today to learn more!

Chicago, IL High Conflict Divorce Lawyer

All divorces are stressful and are bound to have conflicts. When you find yourself embroiled in a divorce where every decision results in contention, then you’re likely in a high-conflict divorce. These divorces are typically characterized by intense animosity from one or both sides. These types of divorces can drag on for years, especially if you don’t have the legal knowledge or experience.

Clients involved in a high conflict divorce often find themselves overwhelmed and stressed, with every decision made suddenly becoming days worth of arguments and disagreements. These types of situations can bring out the worst in people, and an ex-partner can continue to delay the reconciliation process. Worst yet, it’s often not just the spouses who get wrapped up in the endless conflicts. Marriages often result in children, and a high-conflict divorce can leave children caught in the middle, sometimes leaving them permanently traumatized.

When dealing with a high-conflict divorce, you’ll want to set some realistic expectations. Chances are, your ex-spouse will continue to react with anger and unpredictability. While mediation is usually the first strategy, for a high-conflict divorce, litigation is often necessary.

Why Our Experience Makes A Difference

Ideally, a divorce ends with both parties being amicable, even if they have to compromise. However, our Chicago high conflict divorce lawyer understands that many divorces require extra work.

  • We offer results that you expect from a big law firm, combined with a personal touch to give you peace of mind. We’ve helped dozens of individuals and families protect their assets following a tough divorce process.
  • Our founder and managing principal, Jonathan Merel, has received widespread recognition for his knowledge and work. In 2023, he was peer-selected by Leading Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers.
  • Our other managing partner, Melissa Caballero Dunn, brings dozens of 5-star reviews demonstrating her work in helping clients through tough family law issues. She was named as part of the Forty Under 40 class of 2023.

    This peer-reviewed selection recognises top-rated emerging attorneys in Chicago, including those experienced as Chicago high-conflict divorce lawyers.. Since 2008, Melissa practices exclusively in family law, where she has overseen numerous divorce cases.

While all divorces are challenging, some of them quickly become a battlefield where every decision made makes a difference. Overcoming this situation often requires help from our Chicago high conflict divorce lawyers, who have the tools and experience to settle major disputes. Call Merel Family Law today to see how we can help!