Business Details
Your Trusted Ann Arbor Family Law & Divorce Attorney
Wendy Alton Family Law & Mediation is a dedicated legal practice specializing in family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and mediation. With over two decades of experience in Michigan family law, Wendy Alton combines her expertise as a certified mediator and collaborative divorce attorney to provide compassionate, client-centered solutions. Her practice focuses on empowering clients to navigate complex legal challenges through education, transparency, and creative problem-solving.Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and featured in media outlets like ABC News and The Detroit News, Wendy prioritizes personalized service and local expertise in Washtenaw County. Her commitment to professional development ensures clients receive up-to-date guidance on evolving family law issues.
Services
Divorce
Collaborative Divorce
Mediation
Child Custody
Prenuptial Agreements
Highlights and features
- Over 20 years of Michigan family law experience
- Certified collaborative divorce attorney and mediator
- Specialized focus on Washtenaw County family law
- Empowers clients through legal education and transparency
- Offers flexible service options including mediation and limited-scope representation
Associations and certifications
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars
- Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
- Mediation Training and Consultation Institute
What people say
Compassionate advocate
Empowers clients
Knowledgeable attorney
Excellent communicator
Creative solutions
Services
Divorce
Wendy Alton provides comprehensive divorce representation focusing on equitable resolutions for property division, spousal support, and post-judgment modifications. Her approach emphasizes minimizing conflict while protecting client interests through traditional litigation, mediation, or collaborative processes. Clients benefit from her 20+ years of experience navigating Michigan's family law courts and her commitment to educating clients about all available options.
Collaborative Divorce
This out-of-court process enables couples to resolve divorce matters through cooperative negotiations with a team of professionals. Wendy's advanced training as a certified collaborative attorney helps clients maintain control over decisions while addressing financial, emotional, and parenting issues. The process fosters respectful communication and creative solutions that prioritize family well-being over adversarial outcomes.
Mediation
As both a certified mediator and attorney representative, Wendy facilitates productive negotiations for family law disputes. Services cover child custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and financial settlements. The mediation process emphasizes voluntary agreements while ensuring legal protections, with options for both attorney-assisted and neutral third-party mediation formats.
Child Custody
Comprehensive guidance for establishing and modifying custody arrangements that prioritize children's best interests. Services include legal custody determinations, parenting time schedules, and dispute resolution for post-judgment modifications. Wendy's approach balances parental rights with practical considerations, informed by her experience with Michigan's 12-factor custody evaluation framework.
Prenuptial Agreements
Customized prenuptial agreement services that address property division, spousal support, and debt management in potential future separations. Wendy provides balanced counsel to ensure enforceable agreements that protect both parties' interests while fostering open communication about financial expectations and responsibilities within the marriage.
People
Wendy Alton
Family Law Attorney & Mediator
With over 20 years of Michigan family law experience, Wendy Alton is a certified collaborative divorce attorney and mediator specializing in Washtenaw County cases. Recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, she combines legal expertise with compassionate advocacy to help clients navigate divorce, custody, and family law matters through education and creative problem-solving.
Questions
What is collaborative divorce and how does it work?
Collaborative divorce is a structured negotiation process where couples work with trained professionals to resolve issues without court intervention. Both parties commit to transparency and mutual problem-solving, with attorneys facilitating agreements that prioritize family needs while maintaining legal protections.
How does mediation differ from traditional divorce litigation?
Mediation offers a more cost-effective, private process where a neutral mediator helps couples reach agreements. Unlike adversarial litigation, it emphasizes cooperation and allows greater control over outcomes while maintaining legal enforceability through properly drafted settlement agreements.
What factors determine child custody arrangements in Michigan?
Michigan courts evaluate 12 factors including parental relationships, stability, moral fitness, and child preferences when applicable. The primary consideration is always the child's best interests, with emphasis on maintaining meaningful relationships with both parents when safe and appropriate.
What services do you offer for Washtenaw County residents?
We specialize in all family law matters including divorce, child custody, mediation, collaborative law, prenuptial agreements, and post-judgment modifications specifically tailored to Washtenaw County legal standards and court procedures.
Can I modify existing child support or custody agreements?
Yes, modifications require demonstrating proper cause or significant life changes. We help clients navigate post-judgment modifications for custody, parenting time, and support while ensuring compliance with Michigan's evolving family law requirements.
