Merel Family Law

We guide clients through difficult family law matters with a balanced approach that emphasizes resolution, protection, and skilled advocacy. While we prioritize negotiation and collaborative solutions, we are fully prepared to litigate when necessary. Our role is to safeguard client rights, manage complex issues, and provide steady counsel throughout every stage of the case.

We offer committed divorce legal services designed to reduce stress and provide reliable direction during challenging transitions. Our team assists with financial documentation, custody considerations, and settlement planning. We prioritize informed decision-making and diligent representation to help clients achieve fair and sustainable resolutions under Illinois divorce proceedings.

We advise clients on a full range of spousal support matters, including temporary, rehabilitative, reviewable, and permanent maintenance. Our firm also handles enforcement actions and modification requests when circumstances change. We develop tailored strategies grounded in financial evidence and statutory considerations to protect client interests throughout each stage of proceedings with consistent professional legal guidance.

We provide dedicated child custody services designed to protect families and uphold parental rights. With extensive experience in family law, we guide clients through every phase of custody cases. We emphasize collaboration, negotiation, and strong advocacy when court action becomes necessary. Our team ensures clear communication and focused strategies aimed at securing stable outcomes.

Property division cases often involve complex financial questions, especially where significant assets, business interests, or retirement accounts are involved. We represent clients by evaluating asset classification, uncovering relevant financial details, and pursuing equitable distribution. Our goal is to protect rights while avoiding unnecessary court proceedings. We strive to secure practical, fair resolutions tailored to situation.

We help couples use prenuptial agreements to protect assets and clarify financial expectations before marriage. Our role is to promote transparency and mutual understanding while ensuring agreements are legally sound. By addressing property, income, and related financial matters in advance, we support clients in planning for the future with confidence under applicable governing legal standards.

Five stars all the way. Melissa and her team supported me in an effective, efficient, and compassionate way throughout the process. They are timely, always on top of the situation, and come to the table with solutions. Melissa told me, "Don't stress, I've got this" ... and she did.

David and Colette were amazing to work with during a very difficult divorce. They were patient, compassionate, and always mindful of my financial situation. With two small children involved, emotions were high, but they guided me through the process with understanding and professionalism. Im so grateful for their support and highly recommend them for family law matters.

I never thought in my marriage that I would have to look into divorce lawyers but, when the time came to do so, I was scared to put the trust of my daughters life and mine in the hands of a stranger. After researching, I discovered the Law Offices of Jonathan Merel, P.C., which boasted positive reviews. The care extended to my family by Bradley Kaye and Marleena Broekema surpassed my expectations. Marleena wasn't just a lawyer; she became the beacon of support during my darkest times.

Her unwavering patience, dedication, and determination throughout this journey empowered me to advocate fiercely for my daughter's rights and my own. I am forever indebted to Brad and Marleena, and I wholeheartedly recommend their exceptional legal services to anyone in need. Thank you, Brad and Marleena, for everything!!

I am very happy with the services provided by this law firm during the process. I found Merel Family Law through a series of connections. The whole process can be daunting and stressful, but my lawyer, Brett Kaplan, handled my case with empathy, authenticity, and compassion. I appreciate the effort he put into my case. He made the whole experience less scary and simple. I also appreciate the transparency regarding potential outcomes, which helped me prepare myself ahead of time, as well as the reassurance that it would be okay. Brett and the team behind him are quick to respond to inquiries, and making it comforting to ask questions (no such thing as dumb questions). If you are looking for a lawyer with the qualities I mentioned, I highly recommend him.

Josie Norton was recommended to me by a friend, and I can't express how happy I've been with her representation throughout my divorce process. My ex is a British citizen living in the UK who was trying his best to make the divorce process difficult for me (e.g., wouldn't give me a physical address to serve him, making excuses as to why he couldn't attend hearings, sending ridiculous and threatening emails). Josie navigated his difficult personality with tact and ease (her BA in sociology and psychology is a valuable strength in her profession.) I had previously tried to divorce this man in another state with another lawyer without success. Josie did in 3 months what my other attorney could not do in a year.

She was extremely prompt in all of her communication and was just an overall amazing attorney to work with. She is incredibly competent, personable, and straightforward in everything she does. I've raved about her to all my friends, and I can't recommend her enough. Thank you, Josie!!

I am truly blessed to have meet the Merel Family Law firm. they help me with my Custody case. Brett Kaplan represented me on this matter, and I have to say he was great. He understood what we needed. He was very professional and friendly and help me thru all this process that was painful and very emotional. Brett was patient and he show me he cared. I am very thankful that I had him by my side. Thank you very much to Jonathan Merel for taking my case thank you very much. Thank you very very much!!! I would highly recommend them to all my friends and anyone in need
thank you again

Divorce is a tough process for anyone going through it. I was in need of another attorney after my previous one had left me in a bad spot. Brad and Mitch fit the bill perfectly. They immediately got down to business and seemed ready to go in less than a week. They did not make the same mistakes or let my ex's attorney get away with stuff. Mitch was incredibly knowledgable in helping me understand the process, including parts I did not like. I don't think I could have finished the divorce with anyone else. Highly recommended if you feel you are in a tight spot, or can't get the process moving, these guys are the ones you want!

Josie Norton is your go-to family attorney; very professional and fast. I have an extremely difficult and disrespectful co-parent to deal with. My co-parent has also been disrespectful to Josie, but even under those situations, she handles it professionally. She gives 100% especially when it matters the most in the courtroom. Communication is very direct, straightforward and consistent. She responds in a timely matter, which is important when there is so much going on. She is tough, but also very experienced and knowledgeable with the law. If she can help move your case along and not let it be dragged out, she will do it. Highly recommend.

I had a wonderful experience with Aurelija Fitzpatrick as my attorney!! I started with their law group about 2/12 years ago and I cant say I could have asked for a better team to work with. Aurelija was so kind and generous throughout this whole process, she was beyond helpful. She was able to communicate with me and and help me understand and talk through the difficult process we were going through. Aurelija was so compassionate throughout this journey as well, she truly listened to what I had to say and helped me through some difficult moments, I cant explain how thankful I am to have had her as my attorney!!

This is a very good firm to employ at a very bad time in your life. Josephine Norton was assigned as my attorney and handled this case with compassion and empathy for the mess that I was going through. Josephine's knowledge of the law and her ability to communicate with the courts and me every step of the way reduced the stress and frustration of dealing with the broken legal system in Cook county. I would highly recommend her services to anyone in need of family law, legal representation.

My experience working with Jaclyn DeSana was beyond 5 stars, her level of professionalism was best in-class but her ability to be a down to earth real person that broke down my situation into facts related to the law allowed me to make good decisions and settle my divorce. There were specific things that were important to me to have in the settlement, they were all achieved through Jackie's guidance, knowledge, and experience of the divorce process in IL.

I was able to file an uncontested divorce and achieve a settlement in less than 8 months which I did not think was possible based on friends and families experiences. I would highly recommend Jackie for any divorce case, she really made the process as stress free as possible.

Jonathan Merel group was a perfect match for my case. I felt very comfortable and confident that Jon and Melissa understood my situation and would do a good job. They worked great as a team and their communication was key. I knew that my divorce would not be easy, but their experience and preparedness proved invaluable. Grateful for having them represent me.

It is so important to have a lawyer you trust and that is personable through an extremely difficult time in your life. Melissa provided sound legal advice in every step of a very contentious divorce. Melissa was extremely responsive and always a step ahead without being too pushy. I never questioned her judgment. She was always prepared and professional. Melissa continuously advocated and effectively negotiated the best possible result for me and my children. I would highly recommend this firm and cannot thank Melissa and her staff enough for their support and outstanding services.