Melvyn H. Berks - Illinois Divorce Attorney

Melvyn H. Berks
Attorney At Law
Deutsch, Levy & Engel, Chartered

Cook County Office
225 W. Washington, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606

Lake County Office
747 Lake Cook Road,
Suite 217-E
Deerfield, Illinois 60015

Ph: 312.346.1460
Fax: 312.346.1859

Mel Berks' practice includes Divorce, Legal Separation, Child Custody, Visitation Issues, Contested Adoption, Pre-nuptial agreements, Mediation, and all other facets of Family Law.

Divorce
Melvyn H. Berks recognizes that Divorce is one of the most agonizing, and stressful processes for the parties involved. The concept of going to battle with the same person you once loved, and with whom you raised your children is traumatizing. He works very hard to counsel his client in regard to the emotional aspects of a divorce, and to get them through the process. Mr Berks recognizes that it is his job to attempt to settle the matter with as little animosity between the parties as possible. However, if a fair settlement is not possible, he must be tough and prepared to go to trial to protect his client's interests.

Being prepared to try a case, if necessary, and having a reputation as a good and aggressive trial lawyer, creates good settlements. Mel Berks is respected as a good and aggressive trial lawyer. No one wants to go to battle with him unless there is no alternative. A fair settlement is a viable alternative. As a result, Mel Berks generally settles approximately 90% of his cases.

Legal Separation
Unlike divorce, a legal separation does not put an end to the marriage. During a legal separation, you have a court order that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each spouse while they are living apart. You remain legally married while choosing to live separate lives. Issues that can be addressed in a separation agreement are division of assets and debts, child custody and child support, visitation schedules and spousal support.

The same issues addressed during the divorce process are also addressed in a legal separation agreement. A legal separation can protect your interests until the decision is made to file for divorce.

Child Custody
In the case of divorce, the court that has jurisdiction over the divorce proceedings also determines the spouse who shall have custody of the children. Under the common statutory provision, if the spouses have children together while married, the parents have joint guardianship over that child and the parental rights are equal. Each parent has an equal right to the custody of the child when they separate. Mel Berks can make sure you get what you are entitled to when it comes to Child Custody.

Visitation Issues
A parent that is not awarded physical custody has a visitation schedule. Occasionally, situations arise that can cause conficts of interest with both parents. Mel Berks can help mediate these issues and help come to a conclusion.

Pre-nuptial Agreements
If you're trying to decide whether or not to make a prenuptial agreement, you'll need to understand what this type of contract can -- and cannot -- do for you. For instance, a prenup can define who gets what in case of divorce, but it cannot speak to future child custody rights. It's important that you let Mel Berks help create your agreement contain only what it should; unconscionable or illegal clauses could cause a judge to take your entire prenup less seriously.

Mediation
Mel Berks is a trained mediator in both Illinois and Florida. Mel can sit you and your spouse down in the same room with each other and act as a neutral mediator. With Mel's help, you would work through all the issues you need to resolve so the two of you can get through your divorce.

Mediation is flexible and confidential. It gives you and your spouse a way to settle the conflict between you, which is natural and inevitable, in a way that helps you to work together as parents after your divorce.

Mel Berks would remain neutral between the husband and the wife. That means the mediator can't give advice to either party, and also can't act as a lawyer for either party.

Family Law
Family law is an area of the law that deals with family-related issues and domestic relations including the nature of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. It also can inlcude issues arising during marriage, including spousal abuse, legitimacy, adoption, surrogacy, child abuse, and child abduction, the termination of the relationship and ancillary matters (including divorce, annulment, property settlements, alimony, and parental responsibility orders).

Disclaimer
The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.