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Chicago & Detroit Family Law
Custody & Visitation
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Merel Family Law: Compassionate Child Custody Lawyers Committed to Protecting Your Children

There’s Nothing More High-Stakes Than Your Parental Rights. ​

So, why trust something as important as your child’s well-being to anyone other than the best? Getting the best representation begins with a simple, confidential and straightforward conversation.

Child custody and visitation cases directly impact your child’s quality of life. Poorly executed parenting agreements can create trauma and long-lasting damage. Don’t leave this life-altering process to your run-of-the-mill child custody lawyer.

For over 20 years, our team of respected and experienced lawyers has provided our clients with the best-in-class legal representation they need while ensuring your child feels secure and supported. It is vitally important to have a legal team on your side that clearly communicates and executes your options regarding child custody, visitation and parenting time. Merel Family Law is that team.

We’ll help you protect your children.

Why Trust Merel Family Law to Handle My Child Custody Case?

We Don’t Believe in Ordinary

Our clients are the type of people who demand and deserve world-class legal representation, and they won’t settle for anything less. So, we do our homework, stay on top of changes and emergent issues, prepare for every scenario, collaborate when it makes sense and fight like hell when it doesn’t.

We’ve Worked Hard To Earn Our Reputation

We work just as hard to keep it. Our team of seasoned attorneys has worked diligently to help earn the respect of our Chicago-area colleagues, clients, judges, court systems and community, and we intend to keep it that way. In other words, our reputation speaks for itself.

We Believe in “Winning” as Painlessly as Possible

All child custody cases are unique, and while we prefer to approach our clients’ cases in a spirit of collaboration and negotiation, we are also not afraid to “take the gloves off” when needed. In other words, our clients’ answer to the question, “What does winning look like to you?” informs our strategies, tactics and tone.

We’ll Help You Avoid Unnecessary Litigation

You’ll have peace of mind knowing we will never push you into a lengthy, costly and unnecessary court trial. However, we will use all legal remedies to protect your rights.

You Can Reach Us Easily

Unlike other law firms, we know how important it is to manage our client’s expectations and be available to answer their questions and concerns outside of regular business hours. You can contact us by phone, text, or email around the clock.

Meetings With Your Attorney Are Easy and Convenient

Schedule an appointment at any one of our three in-person offices in Chicago, Hinsdale and Highland Park, or conduct some or all of your divorce proceedings online via Zoom. In some instances, an in-court appearance may be required by the judge. If so, you’ll typically be given at least 30 days advance notice.

Legal Services To Protect You And Your Children’s Rights

Protect Your Parental Rights

Parental rights attorneys offer comprehensive legal services that focus on the best interests of the child. Their knowledge and experience allow them to easily navigate the complex family law system effectively. They will guide you through the entire process, from filing the initial petition to finalizing a parenting plan. Your attorney will advocate on your behalf, ensuring that your interests are well represented while determining custody, visitation, and child support. Attorneys can also provide emotional support during what can often be a stressful and emotionally charged process. They will help maintain objectivity and keep the focus on achieving the best outcome for your child.

Confirm Parentage With a Paternity Attorney

The legal recognition of a child’s parentage, known as paternity law, is essential for children born to parents who are not married. For single parents, establishing paternity is key to securing rights such as visitation, custody, and child support. In Illinois, paternity can be confirmed in three ways: being married at the time of the child’s birth, signing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP), or through a DNA test by filing a Petition to Establish Parentage with the court. Our dedicated team of paternity attorneys will assist you in obtaining rightful financial support and equitable visitation time with your child.

Secure Child Support in Illinois

Regardless of marital status or visitation arrangements, parents are legally obligated to provide for their children. The purpose of child support is to maintain the child’s living standards as if the parents were living together. Typically, the non-custodial parent is responsible for paying child support, which is calculated based on both parents’ net incomes, the number of children, and the amount of time spent with them. A child custody lawyer is essential in safeguarding your best interests, such as determining support amounts, evaluating payment capability, altering existing obligations, and representing instances of unpaid child support.

Seek Advice From a Child Custody Attorney Prior to Relocation

The process of moving a child involved in a custody agreement demands meticulous legal review due to its effects on parental responsibilities and time-sharing arrangements. A move qualifies as a relocation if the new address exceeds the maximum distance stipulated by the current county of residence. The parent intending to relocate must provide at least 60 days’ notice to the other parent before the date of the move. This kind of move is viewed as a significant alteration in circumstances and may prompt a reassessment of existing custody orders. Our team of child custody lawyers is here to clarify your rights and duties related to relocation.

Guidance on Property Division

Illinois is an equitable distribution state when it comes to dividing marital property, which means the court will divide your marital assets “equitably” rather than splitting them 50/50. Property distribution is often one of the areas of divorce that generate the most disputes. Make sure you have an experienced divorce attorney on your side to protect your assets and ensure you get your fair share.

Fair and Favorable Alimony Resolutions

Alimony, or spousal maintenance, is generally awarded in situations where one spouse is non-self-supporting financially. At Merel Family Law, we make sure a fair amount of spousal maintenance is determined either amicably or through litigation.

The court will consider these factors when awarding alimony:

  • Income, assets, and debts of each party
  • Current and future income-earning capacity
  • Constraints on earning capacity like lack of education
  • Duration of marriage
  • Standard of living during the marriage
  • Child custody and parenting time arrangements
  • Age and health of each party
  • Tax consequences of each party

Get Justice With Delinquent Spousal Support Payments

Court orders for spousal support are taken very seriously by the state of Illinois. When a spouse is struggling to receive required alimony payments, it is vital that the law steps in to enforce payment. Penalties against the delinquent spouse can include:

  • Being found in contempt of court
  • Paying for opposing counsel court costs
  • Extending duration of maintenance payments
  • Garnishment of wages
  • A lien placed on their property
  • Criminal prosecution including fees and jail time

Establish College Expense Responsibilities

The age of the child and where you are in the divorce process will affect how to approach the topic of college expenses. While child support typically ends when the child turns 18, the courts can extend a parent’s child support obligation to include their college expenses. You can also hire a mediator who will act as a neutral third party to help decide who is paying how much for their shared child’s education. Getting on the same page with your child’s other parent can help make the process smoother and help you establish clear expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of custody exist in Illinois?

The State of Illinois legally recognizes two types of child custody arrangements: sole custody and joint custody. However, there are many frequently used phrases that describe various custody arrangements that are not legal terms, such as:

  • Sole custody
  • Joint custody
  • Residential custody
  • Legal custody
  • Full custody
  • Split custody
  • Shared custody
What are the biggest mistakes to avoid in a child custody battle?
  • Not hiring a child custody attorney: It is crucial to hire an attorney with extensive experience handling child custody cases similar to yours. Lawyers for child custody will understand the best course of action and coach you to avoid impulsive decisions.
  • Refusing to cooperate with your spouse: You do not have to be your spouse’s best friend, but you should cooperate during the Illinois divorce process to show you are willing to work together to raise your children.
  • Badmouthing your spouse: While you may not have many nice things to say about your spouse at the moment, you should refrain from speaking negatively about them, especially in front of your children. Alienating them from your spouse does not look good to the courts.
  • Losing your temper: Although this is an emotional time, losing your temper will be a major red flag during the legal proceedings. Try to remain calm and prove to the court that you have self-control and emotional stability.
  • Not being supportive of your spouse’s relationship with the children: It is essential to show that you support your children’s relationship with your spouse, as judges often consider this when making final custody decisions. Your willingness to nurture and maintain the bond between your child and spouse can positively influence the court’s decision.
At what age can a child choose which parent to live with?

In Illinois, a child can choose which parent to live with once they reach the age of majority (18 years old) or are otherwise emancipated. The courts will consider the minor child’s preference in a custody case, but only if they deem the child mature enough to voice their opinion. In most cases, custody and parenting time are agreed upon between the parents or, in contested cases, decided by a judge.

How do I get sole custody of my child?

The court must decide that sole custody is in your child’s best interests. You and your child custody attorney will need to provide clear evidence to prove that the other parent should not have decision-making rights over the child for their own well-being.

Will I only have one lawyer working on my case?

In every case, it takes a village. We have a full-service staff and a large team of attorneys to help with your situation. We use a variety of attorneys, both partners and associates alike, to resolve your case and keep costs down.

How is child custody determined in Illinois?

Since 2016, Illinois law has shifted from using terms like “custody” and “visitation” to “allocation of parental responsibilities” and “parenting time.” Four major decision-making areas must be resolved before a judge can sign off on a final allocation judgment, and a formal parenting agreement.

  • Education: Includes decisions about the type of school (early development, preschool, elementary school, high school, foreign language), choice between public or private schools, use of tutors, and specialized services.
  • Healthcare: Involves choices related to the child’s medical, dental, vision, and psychological needs. It includes selection of healthcare providers, decisions about medication and vaccines, as well as treatment options.
  • Religion: Covers decisions about the religious beliefs to be taught to the child, the religious gatherings they’ll attend, and their involvement in religious organizations and events.
  • Extracurricular Activities: Includes decisions about participation in sports, arts, educational, social, and other activities or events outside their regular education.
What factors will the courts consider when identifying the best interests of my child?
  • The respective wishes of the parents and the child;
  • The history of care-taking functions;
  • The child’s adjustment to their current home, school, and community; and
  • The willingness of each parent to facilitate and encourage the child’s relationship with the other parent.
Jonathan Merel

Written By Jonathan Merel

Founder and Managing Principal

Jonathan Merel is an experienced attorney who advocates for his clients in all divorce and family law proceedings, including settlement negotiations and trials. Jonathan founded Merel Family Law in early 2009 after working for many years at another family law firm in Chicago.