Laude Elmer Hartrum

I was referred to Merel Family Law by another attorney, and even though my matter wasn’t divorce-related, they supported me in pursuing a plenary Stalking No Contact Order. Finding a trusted attorney on short notice was hard, but Laude Hartrum was my main point of contact and took my safety seriously...—communicating clearly and appearing in court within 48 hours. Marleena Broekema was also involved and was professional, prepared, and compassionate throughout.

Words can’t express how thankful I was to be referred to Merel Family Law. The quality of legal representation I received from the entire firm and in particular David Zwaska and Laude Hartrum far exceeded my expectations. Divorce is mentally draining and can be dragged out for years with the wron...g attorneys. This was not the case with David and Laude. The level of communication, responsiveness and attention to detail throughout the entire process was great. They were quick to address any concerns I had, worked around my schedule to schedule meetings and took the time to explain my options clearly. After every meeting we had a clear plan. David and Laude's level of expertise in navigating the delicate nature of family law and high asset divorce was evident. They understood my social situation, worked with opposing counsel to ensure that my concerns were addressed and negotiated a fair and safe parenting plan while ensuring my financial stability. They had my family's best interests in mind throughout the entire process. David and Laude, thank you for helping me through one of the most difficult periods of my life.

I can’t speak highly enough of my experience with Laude & David. As a father seeking a divorce, full custody of my son, and permission to relocate, I was in for an uphill battle—so much so that another local attorney actually laughed at me during our consultation meeting. But from the jump I felt res...pected and taken seriously by the Merel team. They didn’t baulk or disbelieve me as I told my story, and right away they provided structure and direction to my case. My divorce went on for over a year, but Laude and David made it as painless as it could possibly be—their communication was consistent and coherent, making it easy for me to understand next steps, timelines, and the whys behind their strategies. They were never once too busy to explain something to me, provide context, or weigh the pros and cons. From day one, I felt like I was in the best possible hands—because I was. Also, they’re both really friendly. Great bedside manner goes a long way! To me, this team achieved the impossible. I was granted full custody of my child, allowed to relocate, and I am finally happily divorced. I truly could not have done any of this without David & Laude and their team at Merel Family Law. 12/10 would RECOMMEND!