Michigan Probate Judge Candidates 2026

Confirmed 2026 Probate Court Judicial Candidates

1. Jessica Ann Hallmark — Candidate for Oakland County Probate Court Judge

   •   Status: Declared 2026 candidate for a six-year Oakland County Probate Court seat.

   •   Background & Credentials:

• Attorney at Adkison, Need, Allen & Rentrop, PLLC (commercial real estate, business transactions, liquor-licensing law).

• Former law clerk to an Oakland County Circuit Court judge.

• B.A., University of Michigan; J.D., Wayne State University Law School.

   •   Campaign Focus: Transition from civil and business law practice to judicial service; aims to serve on the bench in her home county.

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2. Elisabeth Dery — Candidate for Oakland County Probate Court Judge

   •   Status: Officially launched campaign for the 2026 election to fill a seat on the Oakland County Probate Court.

   •   Background & Credentials:

• Attorney and partner at a Clarkston-area law firm (Yun Dery & Morgan) focusing on probate-related representation including benefits, housing, and care support.

• J.D. from Cooley Law School (now part of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School).

• Served as chair of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Probate, Estate, and Trust Committee.

   •   Campaign Focus: Leverages probate practice and bar leadership experience to pursue a judicial seat.

🧠 How Michigan Probate Judicial Elections Work

   •   Nonpartisan elections: Candidates appear on ballots without party labels.

   •   Filing deadlines: Judges file with their county clerk and must submit candidacy paperwork (affidavit of identity, petitions) by spring 2026.

   •   Qualifications: Must be a licensed Michigan attorney with at least 5 years of legal practice and under age 70 on Election Day.

We will share more candidates as they declare their run.