EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING CLIENTS
Ann Arbor Collaborative Divorce Lawyers | Divorce Attorneys
About Wendy Alton, Experienced Family Law Lawyer & Divorce Mediator
Family law attorney and mediator Wendy Alton invests time in her clients by listening and responding with legal advice and counsel, thereby creating an environment of empathy and support. She empowers her clients to make enlightened decisions with confidence.
Family Law Knowledge and Experience
Wendy Alton is a seasoned trial attorney, certified collaborative divorce attorney and certified mediator. She is ultra-focused on family law, divorce and custody, and is known for being a strong, compassionate and understanding advocate for her clients.
Well Respected and Highly Regarded Family Law Attorney
By specializing in family law and working only in Washtenaw County, Wendy Alton knows her field inside and out. She is a familiar fixture among the attorneys, judges and courts of Washtenaw County, and is well respected by her peers and highly recommended by her clients.
She has been named one of Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars”—a distinction given to only 2.5% of lawyers in Michigan for demonstrating a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition. She also consistently receives positive client reviews via Avvo.
Earning Clients’ Trust
It’s very important to Wendy Alton—and something that sets her apart—that her clients have as much control as possible in creating solutions.
She takes time to explain all the processes within their divorce or custody case, including options such as traditional litigation, negotiated settlement, mediation, arbitration and collaborative divorce.
Ultimately, she gives clients the tools they need to become creative problem-solvers, whether by educating them, advising them or referring them to other professionals for non-legal issues, such as CPAs, realtors, appraisers or counselors. She’s adept at helping clients view their cases from a different perspective, which typically results in a creative solution that settles the case and satisfies the whole family.
Thirst for Knowledge
Wendy Alton has been in practicing for over 20 years and exclusively in family law for over 15 years, all day, every day. She stays abreast of current case law and ongoing training through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). Every year, she completes at least two to three seminars, if not more, to keep up on current trends and changes in the law.
Her passion for education carries over to how she informs and guides clients through the options involved in their cases. She also shares her knowledge by contributing to blogs and local newspapers, including the Northville Record. ABC News and the Detroit News have sought her expertise on family law issues as well.
How Ann Arbor Family Law Lawyer & Divorce Mediator Wendy Alton Can Help
Wendy Alton helps families with divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, property division and prenuptial agreements, as well as post-judgment issues that come up in these areas. She is also available for limited-scope representation, including such specific services as providing advice behind the scenes, drafting documents, reviewing settlement agreements, advising in negotiations, coaching for mediation, attending settlement meetings, or drafting a particular motion before the court or friend of the court.
Court Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2003
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2005
Education
- J.D., Wayne State University Law School, 2002
- B.A., University of Michigan-Dearborn, 1998
Certifications & Training
- Family Law Certificate Program, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2022
- Advanced Collaborative Divorce Training, Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan, 2023
- Certified Collaborative Professional, 2020, Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
- Advanced Mediation Training, 2012, Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
- Domestic Violence Screening Protocol Training, 2009
- Certified Family Law Mediator, 2009, Mediation Training and Consultation Institute
Professional Associations
- State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section
- Washtenaw County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Washtenaw Lawyers Mediators Group
- Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
- Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Washtenaw Region
- International Association of Collaborative Professionals
- Livonia Bar Association, Past President 2014-2015
- Mediate First MI
Awards
In the News
- ABC News online: quoted in “Michigan May Repeal Old Law Against Unmarried Living Together,” May 11, 2016
- “Good Friday with Dan McGhee” radio broadcast: provided legal commentary on “Obergefell v Hodges in the U.S. Supreme Court,” April 2015
- Hometown News online: quoted in “What Area Women Want,” 2013
- Washtenaw County Legal News: profiled in “Monday Profile: Wendy Alton,” April 8, 2013
- Security Management Magazine: quoted in “Why Valentine’s Day Surveillance May Not Be a Good Idea,” 2012
- The Detroit News: quoted in “Receiver Bobbles the Bauble,” July 11, 2011
Published Articles
- Novi News: “Reading your spouse’s emails could be a crime,” 2012
- Northville Record: “Divorce Judge Orders Exchange of Facebook Passwords,” 2011
- Northville Record: “Circuit Court Establishes Parenting Time Guidelines,” 2011
- Northville Record: “Court of Appeals: Judges Cannot Impose Their Own Morality,” 2010
- Northville Record: “What the Dodgers Can Teach Us about Divorce,” 2010
- Northville Patch: weekly column titled “Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A”
Speaking Engagements
- “Collaborative Divorce,” Washtenaw County Bar Association, Family Law Section, 2023
- “Developmental Disability Guardianships” at the Down Syndrome Support Team, Saline, 2020
- “Mentorship” at the Alumni Commencement Address, University of Michigan-Dearborn Commencement for College of Arts, Sciences & Letters, 2015
- “Special Needs Estate Planning” at the Down Syndrome Support Team, Saline, 2015
- “Ask a Lawyer” Law Day, Livonia Bar Association, 2014
- “Special Needs Estate Planning” at the Down Syndrome Support Team, Saline, 2013
- “Motivation, Opportunity & Mentorship, Lessons from ‘Meeting of Minds’” at the Meeting of Minds, University of Michigan-Dearborn, 2012
- “Ask a Lawyer” Law Day, Livonia Bar Association, 2012