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About Wendy
Biography
Experienced and compassionate attorney empowering clients to creatively resolve family conflict.
Wendy is dedicated to empowering clients to make the best decisions they can as they navigate through the emotional, financial, and legal aspects of a divorce. She is a certified collaborative divorce attorney and mediator in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She focuses solely in out of court processes for divorce, including negotiated settlements, uncontested divorce, mediation, and Collaborative divorce. Through these divorce processes, she helps her clients made the best decisions for their family in areas such as custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and asset and debt division. She also assists her clients with prenuptial agreements, or agreements regarding property prior to getting married.
Wendy is very passionate about her clients and is dedicated to educating clients about issues that involve the family. She has posted regularly on her Michigan Family Law blog and AVVO. She has been a guest columnist in local newspapers, including the Northville Record. Wendy has been interviewed on family law issues by ABC News and print media, including the Detroit News.
In 2009 Wendy was certified as a Divorce and Custody Mediator after rigorous training at the Mediation Training and Consultation Institute. Wendy was certified as a Collaborative Divorce Attorney after completion of the Collaborative Divorce Basic Training in 2020. She completed Advanced Mediation and Collaborative Training in 2012, 2020 and 2023. She achieved the Family Law Certificate from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in 2022. She completed her Domestic Violence Screening Protocol Training in 2009.
Wendy has been awarded a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star designation, demonstrating a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition. Each year, no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in Michigan receive this prestigious designation.
Wendy earned her law degree, Juris Doctor, from Wayne State University Law School in 2002. She is a proud alumnus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and graduated in 1998 with her Bachelor of Arts degree.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
35%
24 years
Uncontested Divorce
35%
24 years
Mediation
25%
17 years
Marriage and Prenuptials
5%
24 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Michigan for 23 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
Wendy Alton Family Law & Mediation PLC
455 E. Eisenhower Pkwy, Ste 300, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108
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Wendy S. Alton's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
62 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Erika | December 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Highly recommended
Wendy provided excellent support as a limited-scope attorney in my collaborative divorce. She assisted with reviewing the mediation agreement, identified multiple issues I missed, managed communication with my ex-spouse's attorney, and made sure I was prepared and had everything I needed at each step...
Posted by Seth | April 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Great Attorney
Wendy was very detail oriented. She understand every part of my complex case. I achieved results with her. She was available when I needed her and did the absolute best she could do at the time for my custody case.
Posted by Tyson | March 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Fantastic Divorce Attorney
Wendy was an invaluable legal representative during my contentious divorce. She provided excellent insight not only into the legal aspects of the case but also as to how things work in reality once the courts get involved. She was thorough in her preparation for all aspects of a divorce, from m...
Posted by anonymous | September 14, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
I would recommend Wendy!!
I hired Wendy for my divorce and she was great. She is very knowledgeable about the laws. She replied promptly to my emails and phone calls. She was very thorough in her responses to my questions. I would recommend her to anyone facing any legal issues.
Posted by Natalie | June 14, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Experience and heart
Wendy is an awesome advocate to have on your side when navigating a legal sea. In addition to being a brilliant and pragmatic attorney, she knew exactly what to say to lift my spirits when I was feeling frightened or overwhelmed by the system. My custody case was a bit of a challenge because my for...
Wendy S. Alton's Lawyer Endorsements
"Wendy is a great colleague who litigates family law cases with zeal at the same time as being respectful to her opponents. She truly is interested in resolving cases effectively and efficiently so that people can move on with their lives in a positive manner."
"Wendy is a top notch family lawyer! I have known her for years and she is a very dedicated, highly competent and compassionate attorney. I have very comfortably referred her my closest friends and clients who need help in family law. She has never disappointed! She gets my highest reccemendation!"
"Wendy brings a gift for attention to detail to the table. Clients are well served to secure her services. I admire her ability to articulate issues that are important and not obvious."
"Wendy is a phenomenal lawyer and an even better person. She understands the needs of her clients, is a compassionate counselor and provides an extraordinary service to families in often difficult times."
"Wendy is a very caring and compassionate attorney. I really enjoyed working together to assist in bringing a respectful closure to a long term marriage."
"I endorse this lawyer. She has great skill and is great in the courtroom."
"Wendy is a great attorney that is involved in the Community. She is active in the Livonia Bar Association and you can tell she truly cares about her clients."
"I trust Wendy's professional judgment in the areas of family and divorce law and have provided her as a reference to clients in need of such expertise. She is a very knowledgeable, honest, and dedicated attorney."
"Wendy practices law with the utmost integrity and dedication to her clients. I am a better attorney and better person for having worked under her leadership."
"Wendy's professionalism and dedication to her clients is what motivated me to join the firm. She is an accomplished attorney, an excellent mentor and a compassionate woman."
"I had the distinct pleasure of working with Wendy Alton years ago. I have always admired her dedication to excellence and the resourcefulness she employs in representing her clients. I never hesitate to contact her with regard to family law issues as I trust her input and advice on even the most delicate issues. I would certainly recommend her work!"
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Experience
Honors
2013
Rising Star, Michigan Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star, Michigan Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2020 - Present
Attorney / Owner, Wendy Alton Family Law & Mediation PLC
2012 - 2020
Attorney, Pear Sperling Eggan & Daniels PC
2010 - 2012
Assistant City Attorney/Prosecutor, City of Westland, MI
2010 - 2012
Attorney, Fausone Bohn, LLP
2007 - 2009
Owner/Attorney, Alton Law Firm PLC
2002 - 2007
Associate Attorney, Foster, Meadows & Ballard, P.C.
1999 - 2002
Law Clerk, Fildew Hinks P.L.L.C.
Associations
2020 - Present
Collaborative Practice Institute of MichiganMember
2020 - Present
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) (Washtenaw Region)Member
2012 - Present
Washtenaw County Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Livonia Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
State Bar of MichiganMember
2003 - Present
Family Law Section, Michigan State BarMember
2020 - 2021
International Association of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2014 - 2015
Livonia Bar AssociationPresident
2013 - 2014
Livonia Bar AssociationVice President/President-Elect
2011 - 2014
Wayne County Family Law Bar AssociationMember
2008 - 2011
Board of Governors, College of Arts, Sciences & Letters Alumni Affiliate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn Alumni SocietyChair, Literature, Arts & Philosophy
2003 - 2015
Probate & Estate Planning Section, Michigan State BarMember
Education
2020
Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
Collaborative Practice Certification
2020
Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
Advanced Training
2009
Mediation Training and Consultation Institute
Divorce Mediation Certification
2002
Wayne State University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
University of Michigan, Dearborn
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2020
March Meeting 2020 - Down Syndrome Support Team
Developmental Disability Guardianships
2015
University of Michigan-Dearborn Commencement - College of Arts, Sciences & Letters
Alumni Commencement Address: Mentorship
2015
April Meeting 2015 - Down Syndrome Support Team
Special Needs Estate Planning
2014
Law Day - Livonia Bar Association
Ask a Lawyer
2013
January Meeting 2013 - Down Syndrome Support Team
Special Needs Estate Planning
2012
Meeting of Minds - University of Michigan-Dearborn
Motivation, Opportunity & Mentorship: Lessons from "Meeting of Minds"
2012
Law Day - Livonia Bar Association
Ask a Lawyer
Publications
2016
2013
Legalnews.com
Monday Profile (featured)
2013
Hometown News
What Area Women Want (quoted in the article)
2012
Security Management Magazine
Why Valentine's Day Surveilliance may not be a Good Idea (quoted in the article)
2012
Novi News, Community Life
Reading your spouse's e-mails could be a crime
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
In Michigan, Fault Does Matter in Divorce
2011
The Northville Record
Divorce judge orders exchange of facebook passwords
2011
"Legally Speaking," Northville Record, Column
Circuit Court Establishes Parenting Time Guidelines
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
In Michigan, What's the Difference Between Legal Separation, Divorce
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Want to Stay Married? Treat Your Spouse Like a Valentine Every Day
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Divorcing? Marriage Counseling Can Help
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Common-Law Marriage Not Recognized in Michigan
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
The Wedding's Off. Who Keeps the Ring
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Reading Your Spouses's Email: Snooping or Hacking?
2011
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Prenups Aren't Just for Jessica Simpson
2010
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Divorcing and Dreading the Holidays?
2010
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
It's a Wonderful LIfe, Even After Divorce
2010
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Giving Thanks: There is Life After Divorce
2010
"For the Record," Northville Record, Column
Court of Appeals: Judges cannot impose their own morality
2010
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Planning Ahead Makes Holidays Easier on Children of Divorce
2010
"Ask Alton: Family Law Q&A," Northville Patch, Weekly Column
Cheating Spouses on Facebook are not unique to Hollywood
2010
For the Record," Northville Record, Column
What the Dodgers can teach us about Divorce
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
As a beneficiary, do I have a right to either a copy or to see the will of my deceased parent?
03 May 2011
Q&A
I received an Order Rescinding License Suspension (Child Support/Parenting Time) What does that mean? I am currently behind with
30 Apr 2011
Q&A
Can a Judge amend or change a mediation agreement for a divorce decree?
04 May 2011
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Michigan Custody and Parenting Time During COVID-19
18 May 2020
Legal Guide
Divorcing in Michigan Now Requires Full Financial Disclosures
18 May 2020
Legal Guide
Does Remarriage Automatically Terminate Spousal Support?
18 Oct 2019