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Merel Family Law: Experienced Divorce Lawyers Committed to Easing the Divorce Process
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Divorce is never easy. A respected, honest, and committed divorce lawyer can lighten your load and help you rebuild your life. Begin with a simple, confidential, and straightforward conversation.
Let’s face it: ending a marriage or civil union is painful, regardless of the circumstances. And given the complexities of today’s legal system, it often feels daunting and overly stressful. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
For over 20 years, our team of respected and experienced divorce lawyers has provided our clients – people just like you – with the best-in-class legal representation they need. We’re proud to say that our advocacy has helped countless families all across Chicagoland and Detroit move on with less pain and more hope.
Our 4-Step Process: What to Expect from Our Divorce Attorneys and the Dissolution of Marriage Process
Step 1: Contact us by phone (312-408-7000) or email. Our intake coordinator will ask a few simple – and completely confidential – questions to connect you with the right lawyer. Depending on your schedule, your initial consultation could be scheduled as soon as the same day.
Step 2: Consult with your attorney. During your initial conversation with your divorce attorney, you’ll be asked to share all aspects of your situation, including finances, property, businesses, and children.
Step 3: Pay the retainer fee & legal process begins. All divorce cases are different – some are easy and straightforward, others are extremely complex, and most are somewhere between. We will use this type of criteria to assess your retainer fee amount.
Step 4: Your divorce attorney will determine, communicate, and execute your case strategy. Initially, this includes filing official “dissolution of marriage” paperwork, serving the opposing party, and entering the mediation or litigation phase.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Divorce Lawyer
Choosing the right divorce lawyer is an essential step toward securing your best interests during this challenging time. By considering these factors—experience, reputation, communication style, approach to divorce, fees, and location—you can make an informed decision that will help you through the complexities of divorce and child custody issues effectively. Remember, investing time in finding the right representation can lead to more favorable outcomes for you and your family.
Why Our Clients Trust Merel Family Law to Handle Their Divorce
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.
- 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
- Our seasoned attorneys have earned respect from Chicago-area colleagues, clients, judges, and communities.
- Our reputation speaks for itself – see the hundreds of 4 and 5 star reviews.
Winning as Painlessly as Possible
- Unique, collaborative approach tailored to each case.
- We adapt our strategy to fit your vision of success—taking the gloves off when necessary.
Avoiding Unnecessary Litigation
- We won’t push you into lengthy, costly court trials unless absolutely necessary.
- We’ll use all legal remedies to protect your rights.
Knowledgeable Divorce Advice
- Experienced attorneys in diverse cases (women, LGBTQ+ couples, high-net-worth, long-term marriages, and more).
- You’ll have a compassionate, skilled attorney who understands your unique situation.
Easy Access
- Available around the clock by phone, text, or email to answer your questions.
Convenient Meetings
- Meet in person at any of our four offices or via Zoom for flexibility.
- If court appearances are required, we’ll provide at least 30 days’ notice.
Get Support from Our Experienced Divorce Attorneys
At Merel Family Law, we want to make the divorce process as smooth as possible. That starts with scheduling a consultation with our experienced intake coordinators. Then, our team of skilled divorce lawyers will provide you with the support you need to navigate the complexities of divorce. We can be reached over the phone at (312) 408-7000, or you can schedule a consultation using the buttons on the page.
Additional Services Provided by Our Divorce Lawyers
Navigating a divorce can be challenging, especially with the unique factors that come with long-term marriages, complex assets, and custody arrangements. We offer guidance and support tailored to your specific situation:
- Alimony for Long-Term Marriages: For marriages of 20 years or more, spousal maintenance often becomes a significant factor. Our attorneys will advocate for a fair resolution that considers the nuances of long-term financial commitments.
- Protecting Your Business During Divorce: High-net-worth divorces often involve business ownership. We provide specialized support to address the complexities of dividing business assets, including professional evaluations and tax implications.
- Appealing Divorce Court Decisions: When legal errors, oversights, or miscalculations occur, our appellate attorneys can help you explore your options for appeal and guide you through the necessary procedures and preparations.
- Child Custody and Support: We prioritize the best interests of your children, offering experienced representation to help establish fair custody arrangements and support terms.
- Postnuptial Agreements: For couples looking to clarify financial expectations and asset division, we offer support in drafting and finalizing postnuptial agreements.
- Comprehensive Divorce Guidance: Divorce is a complex process. Our attorneys are committed to supporting you through each stage, ensuring you feel informed and empowered.
Our dedicated team at Merel Family Law is here to provide compassionate and knowledgeable representation tailored to your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Divorce begins with the filing of a formal written complaint called the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. If you are the party to file for divorce, you are the Petitioner, and your spouse will be the Respondent. You will file this and other forms with the county clerk. Then, you are required to serve (or otherwise notify) your spouse of the divorce action by providing a copy of the filed petition.
Unfortunately, there is not a clear and concise answer. Divorce cases can be over and done in a week or go on for several years. Generally speaking, the more conflict, the longer the case will take. It all depends on the situation at hand. Factors such as child custody issues, delays in discovery production, the need for business valuations, unreasonable lawyers/parties or other involved parties, or complex finances can make the process last longer.
Time is of the essence in this situation. As the Respondent in an Illinois divorce, you will have 30 days to file an Answer to the petition and file your Appearance. It is in your best interest to hire an experienced divorce attorney as soon as possible. They will handle all court filings, communicate with the opposing counsel, collect your financial information, and advise you on the appropriate steps to take as your case proceeds.
While documents are not necessary to commence the case or file an Answer to the Petition, it is always smart to start gathering recent financial documentation, such as the following:
- Recent paystubs and W-2s
- Recent utility bills
- Recent mortgage statements
- Statement for any ongoing loans
- Secured debts
- Medical and health insurance bills
- Bank, savings, and investment statements
- Retirement and 401(k) information
- Life insurance policies
- Three or more years of tax returns
- Detailed list of common child-related expenses
- Approximate monthly family budget
How can I preserve my privacy?
- Get a P.O. Box
- Change your passwords
- Lock down your social media accounts
- Consider opening a new financial account (but check with your attorney before doing this)
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.
While it is technically possible to represent yourself in a divorce case in Chicago, it’s usually not the best course of action. Divorce is a complex legal process, and the stakes can be high. Having a seasoned divorce lawyer on your side can significantly influence the outcome of your case in your favor.
This is the million-dollar question, but honestly it depends on your case. Less contentious cases will incur fewer fees, and more complex cases that need more work or litigation from attorneys and staff will incur more. Retainers vary based on the type and scope of your case.
A retainer is an initial deposit required by attorneys and other professionals to commence representation. The retainer covers fees (billed based on hourly rates) and expenses. If the retainer is used up, the client will be responsible for any additional fees incurred beyond the retainer. If the case is finalized and a portion of the retainer is unused, that portion will be refunded back to the client.
At Merel Family Law, our family law attorneys do not only handle divorce cases. We handle all aspects of family law including cases involving child custody and child support, whether the parties are married, divorced or have never been married but have a child together.
Prenuptial Agreements, executed by couples prior to getting married, are an excellent tool for addressing the rights and responsibilities of spouses in the event of a divorce. Given that a high percentage of marriages fail, Prenuptial Agreement resolve the majority of the issues the parties would encounter in the event the marriage broke down. By executing a Prenuptial Agreement prior to the marriage, couples are recognizing that there is a chance the marriage could fail and taking an affirmative step to ensure that their divorce does not end in long, protracted litigation which only acts as a detriment to both parties.
Illinois is a no-fault state when it comes to divorce actions. That means it is not necessary to prove specific grounds (i.e. infidelity, fraud, etc.) to get a divorce, other than to provide that irreconcilable differences have arisen during the marriage which caused an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, and that efforts to reconcile those differences have failed. In other words, if one spouse wants the marriage to end, the parties will be getting a divorce.
Written By Jonathan Merel
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.
