Cook County Divorce and Family Law Lawyers
Experienced, In Depth Family Law Experience and Representation in Cook County, Illinois
Rebecca Berlin Melzer has dedicated her legal career to practicing in the Circuit Court of Cook County and has developed a thorough understanding of its procedures, judges, and the unique challenges presented by complex domestic relations matters.
Early in her career, Rebecca served as a judicial law clerk to the Chief Judge of the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. In that role, she worked closely with the court on a broad range of family law matters, gaining invaluable insight into judicial decision-making, courtroom procedure, case management, and the practical considerations that shape litigation in one of the nation's largest unified court systems.
Today, Rebecca continues her commitment to improving the administration of justice through her appointment to the Circuit Court of Cook County Committee on Domestic Violence Court, led by the Office of the Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The committee brings together leaders from across the justice system to evaluate policies, improve court operations, and enhance the experience of litigants navigating domestic violence proceedings.
The committee includes judges from both the Domestic Relations Division and the Domestic Violence Division, including the Presiding Judges of those divisions, as well as representatives from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, Legal Aid organizations, court administration, victim advocacy groups, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening the court system and improving access to justice.
Rebecca's participation on this committee reflects her ongoing dedication not only to advocating for her clients, but also to helping improve the legal system in which they seek relief. Her work provides her with a comprehensive understanding of evolving court procedures, best practices, and the practical realities affecting families in Cook County.
Combined with years of courtroom advocacy, extensive litigation experience, and leadership within the Illinois legal community, Rebecca offers clients informed, strategic representation grounded in a deep understanding of the Cook County courts.
While every case is unique and no attorney can guarantee a particular outcome, Rebecca's experience within the Cook County judicial system allows her to guide clients confidently through even the most complex family law matters.
Berlin Melzer Law represents individuals and families throughout Cook County, Illinois in divorce, family law, parenting, support, and complex financial matters.
From Chicago and the North Shore to the northwest, western, and southwest suburbs, our attorneys represent clients facing some of the most important decisions of their lives.
Divorce is more than a legal proceeding. It can affect your children, finances, home, business, career, and future. At Berlin Melzer Law, we combine sophisticated family law experience with a personalized and strategic approach to each case.
Whether your matter can be resolved through negotiation, mediation, or collaborative law—or requires aggressive courtroom litigation—we develop a strategy based on your circumstances and goals.
Cook County Divorce Lawyers
Our attorneys regularly practice in Cook County domestic relations and family law courts, representing clients in both Chicago and suburban Cook County.
We handle contested and uncontested divorces involving issues such as:
Division of marital property and debt
High-asset and high-net-worth divorce
Business ownership and business valuation
Marital and non-marital property
Tracing of non-marital assets
Maintenance and spousal support
Child support
Allocation of parental responsibilities
Parenting time
Relocation
Parentage
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Enforcement of divorce judgments
Modification of parenting and support orders
Post-decree litigation
No two divorces are the same. We believe your legal strategy should reflect your family, your finances, and what matters most to you.
High-Asset and Complex Divorce in Cook County
Complex financial cases are an important part of our practice.
When significant assets, businesses, investments, executive compensation, real estate, or disputed income are involved, understanding the financial details can be just as important as understanding the law.
Business Owners and Professionals
Divorce involving a closely held business or professional practice can raise complicated questions regarding value, income, ownership, goodwill, retained earnings, distributions, and whether some or all of the business is marital or non-marital property.
Berlin Melzer Law has experience handling divorce cases involving business owners, professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and their spouses.
When appropriate, we work with business valuation professionals, forensic accountants, financial experts, and other specialists to analyze the financial issues affecting a marital estate.
Marital and Non-Marital Property
An asset is not necessarily marital simply because it exists during the marriage.
Property owned before marriage, inheritances, gifts, family wealth, trusts, businesses, and assets acquired using a combination of marital and non-marital funds can require careful analysis and tracing.
We handle cases involving disputes over the classification, tracing, valuation, and division of significant assets.
Complex Income and Compensation
Determining someone's actual income can become a major issue in a divorce.
This is particularly true for business owners, executives, partners, professionals, and individuals whose compensation includes bonuses, commissions, distributions, equity, stock options, deferred compensation, or other nontraditional income.
We look beyond a single tax return or paycheck when the circumstances require a deeper financial analysis.
Parenting Time and Parental Responsibilities
For parents, decisions involving their children are often the most emotional and important part of a family law case.
Illinois law refers to allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time, rather than simply "custody."
Our attorneys help parents address issues involving:
Decision-making responsibilities
Parenting schedules
Holidays and vacations
School decisions
Medical and extracurricular decisions
Relocation
Parenting-time modifications
Enforcement of parenting agreements and court orders
High-conflict parenting disputes
We also handle complex parenting cases involving Guardians ad Litem (GALs), child representatives, parenting coordinators, mental health professionals, evaluators, and other court-appointed or retained professionals.
Our goal is to protect our clients' relationships with their children while working toward solutions that are practical for the family long after the court case is over.
Child Support and Maintenance in Cook County
Child support and maintenance can significantly affect both parties' financial futures.
Berlin Melzer Law represents clients in cases involving:
Child support calculations
Maintenance and spousal support
Business-owner and self-employed income
Variable and bonus income
Imputation of income
Unemployment and underemployment
Modification of support
Enforcement of support orders
Children's extracurricular, medical, and educational expenses
College contribution
Post-decree financial disputes
When income is disputed, we focus not only on the number someone reports as income but also on the financial information underlying that number.
Settlement When Possible. Litigation When Necessary.
A successful divorce does not necessarily require a prolonged courtroom battle.
Rebecca Berlin Melzer is an experienced family law litigator who is also trained in mediation and collaborative law. Our attorneys understand the value of resolving disputes efficiently when a fair agreement can be reached.
At the same time, settlement should not require a client to give up something important simply to avoid court.
When litigation is necessary to protect a client's financial interests, parental rights, or future, Berlin Melzer Law is prepared to advocate in the courtroom.
Family Law Representation Throughout Cook County
Berlin Melzer Law represents divorce and family law clients throughout Chicago and Cook County, including individuals and families in and around:
Chicago • Wilmette • Evanston • Skokie • Lincolnwood • Glencoe • Winnetka • Kenilworth • Northfield • Glenview • Northbrook • Deerfield • Park Ridge • Niles • Morton Grove • Des Plaines • Mount Prospect • Arlington Heights • Rolling Meadows • Palatine • Schaumburg • Hoffman Estates • Barrington • Elk Grove Village • Oak Park • River Forest • Forest Park • La Grange • Western Springs • Hinsdale • Burr Ridge • Lemont • Orland Park • Tinley Park • Palos Heights • Palos Park • Homewood • Flossmoor and surrounding Cook County communities.
Our attorneys practice throughout Cook County, including matters heard in Chicago and the suburban Cook County courthouses.
You do not need to select a divorce lawyer simply because their office is closest to your home or courthouse. You need an attorney whose experience, strategy, communication, and approach are right for your case.
Why Choose Berlin Melzer Law for a Cook County Divorce?
Berlin Melzer Law is a boutique family law firm focused on providing sophisticated legal representation while maintaining the personal attention clients should expect during a difficult time.
Our approach includes:
Extensive Illinois family law experience
Significant courtroom and litigation experience
High-asset and complex financial divorce experience
Business valuation and income analysis
Mediation and collaborative-law training
Strategic use of technology
Personalized attention
Practical consideration of legal fees and costs
A team approach to complicated cases
We believe clients should understand their options and the strategy behind the decisions being made in their case.