The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for November’s St. Joseph County probate judge election. We will run all completed questionnaires from candidates in contested general election races in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.
Kelly Ward filled out our questionnaire. These are her answers. Ward, a challenger, faces fellow challenger Kevin Kane. Each seeks to succeed Judge David Tomlinson.
Name: Kelly Ward
Age: 54
Address: 10456 Dutch Settlement, Flowerfield Township, MI 49067
Party affiliation: n/a
Are you an incumbent? No
Family (optional): I am married to L.T. Ward, a mechanical engineer. We have four children and four grandchildren.
Background/Bio:
I was born in St. Clair, Michigan, but soon moved to Three Rivers. One of four kids, I grew up swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, and watching the Lions and Tigers with my dad. My husband and I have four adult children who graduated from Three Rivers, Centreville, and Pathfinder Schools. Our grandchildren attend Centreville Schools.
I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in environmental studies and political science from California State University East Bay in 1999. At the age of 38 with my children getting older, I enrolled at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. I was on the honor roll for several terms in law school and received the merit award for the best performance in Legal Research and Writing and Family Law. I earned my law degree in 2011, passed the bar, and was sworn in to the Michigan State Bar in St. Joseph County Michigan that same year by Honorable Paul Stutesman. While in law school I had the opportunity to serve an internship with Honorable Curtis Bell in Kalamazoo County.
After law school, I started my own practice in Three Rivers and represented clients in many different areas of law. Notable to the experience necessary to be elected as the St. Joseph County’s Probate Judge, I represented veterans, the elderly, and other adults in involuntary mental health proceedings in probate court in various Michigan counties. Additionally, I represented minors in juvenile delinquency cases, parents and children in child protective matters, and served as guardian ad litem in guardianships and conservatorships for children, adults, and developmentally disabled individuals in probate court matters. I also have experience in estate administration and preparation of wills, trusts, medical powers of attorney, and general powers of attorney. I also have experience handling adoptions while in private practice.
In 2021, I became a judicial officer (attorney referee) in Van Buren County Family Court presiding over cases in domestic relations, child protective matters, and juvenile delinquency matters. I have been praised for my judicial temperament and skill in deciding difficult cases by judges, court staff, respondents, probation officers, attorneys, and service providers. Additionally, I have presided over Family Reunification, Family Recovery, and Adult Recovery problem-solving courts. Family Reunification Court assists parents who have had their children removed, reduce their barriers, and be reunified with their children. Family Recovery Court assists minors and their families in the juvenile delinquency system receive services needed to become healthy, responsible children, and Adult Recovery Court assists adults involved in the criminal justice system with mental health and substance use issues.
I have presided over more than 4000 hearings in these areas of law. I have listened to hours of testimony, examined evidence, applied the correct burden of proof and law, and rendered fair and accurate rulings. I have the experience to take office and begin hearing cases with little need for upfront training.
Additionally, I am a member of the Referee’s Association of Michigan and was awarded their most valuable membership award for a non-committee member in 2024. I have also attended over 90 trainings in the areas of law handled by the probate court judge.
I am active in my community supporting causes that are dear to my heart, including supporting Special Olympics Area 18, advocating for vulnerable members of society, and animal rescue and adoption.
Why did you choose to run for St. Joseph County Probate Judge?
Since I was a child, I have always been interested in the government and how it works. As I got older, my passion became helping those who cannot help themselves or those without a voice. My entire legal career to this point has been in the areas of law that the probate court handles and with the current probate court judge retiring, I want to utilize my experience and expertise to help my community.
As a judge, I will ensure that all parties involved in a case are treated with dignity and respect and I will follow the law and adhere to legal precedent. Additionally, I will strive to be impartial and unbiased when making decisions, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard. My experience as a lawyer and a judicial officer has given me a deep understanding of the legal system and how it works, which will help me make informed, fair decisions in my role as a judge.
Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role? If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments?
I have not previously held public office but serve in a public leadership role as a judicial officer in juvenile court matters. Juvenile court is a civil court, meaning it is service-oriented. In order to provide services to members of the community, I must work closely with community stakeholders such as law enforcement, community mental health (Pivotal), MDHHS, area schools, the prosecutor’s office, and others.
I have been instrumental in streamlining truancy and other cases directly to juvenile court to implement services in a quick and timely manner. I have worked with multiple problem-solving court such as Family Recovery Court, Family Reunification Court, and Adult Recovery Court. These courts assist members of our community with mental health, substance use issues, among other things.
I have been a member of the Referee’s Association of Michigan (RAM) and serve as the author for juvenile court legal updates and an assistant editor for their quarterly newsletter. Additionally, I was awarded RAM’s most valuable non-committee member award in May 2024.
What are the responsibilities of a county probate judge?
There is a probate court in each Michigan county, except 10 counties which have consolidated to form five probate court districts. Each probate court district or county has one or more judges depending on the population and caseload within the district or county. St. Joseph County has one probate court judge, that serves a term of six years. A probate court judge can seek reelection until they reach the age of 70.
The St. Joseph County Probate Court Judge is a legal professional that traditionally handles various types of cases, including administration of trusts and estates, estate litigation, mental health proceedings, guardianships and/or conservatorships for both children and adults, limited guardianships, guardianships for developmentally disabled individuals, protective orders, juvenile delinquency, child protective cases, adoptions, and more.
In 1998, the Michigan Legislature created the family division in the circuit court and moved juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, adoptions, name changes, emancipation of minors, waivers of parental consent and other ancillary family matters from the probate court to the circuit court. The St. Joseph County Probate Judge continues to hear most of the cases that were moved to circuit court family division.
Michigan probate courts derive their authority from statutes authored by the Michigan State Legislature. The Probate Court’s responsibility is to serve the public by exercising its legal jurisdiction and responsibility as set forth in the Michigan State Constitution, the Michigan Probate and Mental Health Codes, Michigan Court Rules, and the United States Constitution.
The probate court is a civil court, meaning it is service-oriented. A civil court protects the private rights of residents and provides protection for people who are deemed vulnerable. The probate court is not a criminal court.
What will be the most important issues you would face as a probate judge?
As probate court judge, I will ensure fairness and impartiality in the court. I will interpret laws accurately and make decisions based on facts and applicable law. My knowledge and understanding of the applicable law in probate court matters, juvenile delinquency matters, and child protective proceedings will allow me to do this correctly. I will achieve this while showing dignity and respect to all served by the probate court.
It is my goal to protect and provide services for vulnerable people and other members of our community by being innovative when providing services to assist people overcome the issues that brought them into court. I will develop streamlined truancy and incorrigible proceedings and work with community stakeholders to provide the highest level of court oversight.
I care about the community I want to serve and am committed to abiding by the law I will be entrusted to administer. I am just like you, I have needed the services of probate court, and I understand your nervousness, your concern, and your desire for your case to be resolved timely, correctly, respectfully, and by someone who cares about you, your family, and our community. The people I serve will be my top priority if elected to this position. I can assure the residents of St. Joseph County that everyone before me will be treated with dignity, respect, and their case will be decided fairly and consistent with the applicable laws.
My goal for the St. Joseph County Probate Court is to deliver justice for all by providing access, protecting rights, resolving disputes, and applying the law to all those served in a manner that elicits public trust.
How will you work with St. Joseph County’s government and citizens, or any state officials, if elected?
Since the responsibility of the probate court is to properly handle and dispose of matters legally before the court and to serve the public, the court must advocate and work openly and collaboratively with all community stakeholders such as law enforcement, legal, political, public, and private agencies to provide services to those unable to protect themselves.
The probate court must also work with community stakeholders on behalf of the residents of St. Joseph County, who have a right to be safe.
When the probate court works effectively with community stakeholders to meet the needs of vulnerable members of society, those members become healthier, happier, and productive members of our community. Also, when the probate court works effectively with community stakeholders to meet the specific needs of vulnerable members of society, the community is protected and kept safe.
How would your term in office differ from previous probate judge terms?
My priorities will be serving the community as a highly trained and qualified legal professional. In all probate court matters, time is of the essence, and all cases must be heard in a timely and effective manner, consistent with the law, keeping the needs of those before the court and the community in mind. To assure this level of service to the community, my goals are as follows:
- Collaborating with others in the justice system and community partners to meet the needs of those involved with Probate Court.
- Ensuring appointed counsel, fiduciaries, and service providers are well-qualified and willing appointees by enhancing education, training, support, and professionalism.
- Managing cases, implementing operational efficiencies, and expanding programs and services for ALL who are served by Probate Court.
- Expediting guardianship, conservatorship, adoption, estate, delinquency, child protective, personal protection, and other hearings in compliance with Michigan Law and in the best interest of those served by Probate Court.
- Ensuring that Probate Court facilities and technology are safe, secure, and up to date for the public, services providers, and staff.
- Making Probate Court more understandable and user friendly for ALL users by implementing the above strategies while continuing to solicit, research, and implement new ideas.
Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?
I have always advocated for children, the elderly, developmentally disabled individuals, and those disadvantaged due to circumstances out of their control in our society who cannot adequately advocate for themselves.
I believe that every person makes mistakes, and your character is determined by what you do in the aftermath of those mistakes.
Healthy, functioning children and adults translate to happy, healthy, and productive residents and healthy families.
From the moment I stepped into the courtroom I recognized how fulfilling it is to help people during some of the most stressful and traumatizing times of their lives.
Over the course of my career, I have learned the importance of remaining objective and alert. I will preside over all matters with a keen eye and open mind, rendering decisions that are consistent with Michigan law and in the best interest of those involved.
As a 41-year, full-time, resident of St. Joseph County, running for probate judge was my logical next step to allow me to bring the experience I have gained working in St. Joseph, Van Buren, Cass, Berrien, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and Branch Counties to the people of St. Joseph County.
