Committed. Compassionate. Respected. Responsive.

Committed. Compassionate. Respected. Responsive.

Our Approach

At Wilson Kester, we prioritize the trust you place in us to handle your family law case. Whether you’re considering divorce, seeking child custody solutions, addressing parenting time disputes, dealing with post-judgment enforcement, or needing a personal protection order, our experienced family law attorneys provide the expertise and strategic support necessary to achieve the best outcomes. Our approach reflects our values of honesty and empowerment. 


Our Approach As Michigan’s Top Family Law Firm

Established in 1998 by Shelley Kester and Patrick Wilson, Wilson Kester began as a father-daughter team serving the Traverse City community. Today, we are a leading family law firm in Northern Michigan, offering tailored legal solutions to clients across the region. From collaborative family law strategies to fearless courtroom advocacy, we adapt to meet your goals and deliver exceptional results.


Leading the Way in Michigan Family Law and Policy

Our attorneys are recognized leaders in Michigan family law, actively shaping the legal landscape and advocating for families statewide. Highlights of our contributions include:

  • State Bar of Michigan Family Law Council (FLC): Influencing family law policies and practices across Michigan.
  • Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM): Promoting gender equity and leadership in family law matters.
  • Friend of the Court Parenting Time Guidelines: Enhancing parenting time standards used statewide.
  • Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE): Providing family law education and training for legal professionals.
  • Domestic Violence Advocacy: Championing safety and legal protection for Michigan families.

Our leadership ensures we remain at the cutting edge of family law, delivering innovative solutions to our clients.


A Collaborative, Strategic Approach to Family Law Matters

At Wilson Kester, our family law attorneys work collaboratively to deliver exceptional service and results. Every case benefits from our team’s combined expertise, allowing us to provide the best strategies for:

  • Divorce and Child Custody Cases: Personalized solutions to protect your family and future.
  • Parenting Time Disputes and Agreements: Tailored plans to foster positive parent-child relationships.
  • Post-Judgment Modifications and Enforcement: Ensuring legal agreements are upheld.

When compromise is not possible, we offer fearless litigation to protect your rights and secure the best outcomes for your family.


Supporting Michigan Families Through Emotional and Legal Challenges

Family law matters can be emotionally challenging, but you don’t have to face them alone. At Wilson Kester, we provide the guidance and support needed to navigate even the most difficult cases.

Our approach focuses on:

  • Clear Communication: Keeping you informed and involved throughout your case.
  • Proactive Legal Strategies: Anticipating challenges and addressing them effectively.
  • Empowerment and Confidence: Helping you make informed decisions to achieve your goals.

We are here to guide you toward a brighter, more stable future.


Why Choose Wilson Kester as Your Family Law Attorneys?

As a top-rated Michigan family law firm, we bring decades of experience, unmatched preparation, and compassionate advocacy to every case. Whether your situation requires mediation, collaboration, or litigation, we are dedicated to delivering results that protect your family’s well-being.

Contact Wilson Kester today to schedule a consultation and let us help you achieve the positive outcomes you and your family deserve.

Employee Testimonials

“Shelley regularly checks in with me regarding my caseload and my needs for support. She genuinely cares about my work/life balance and routinely provides coaching and opportunities to ask questions. As a young lawyer, it is important to me that I work for a firm that values ethics, client-relationships, and legal excellence. I found that at Wilson Kester – the Empowered Divorce Source.”

Employee Testimonials

“All of my coworkers are always ready to help, to answer questions if need be, and the environment is super collaborative. I feel like any ideas I might suggest for change within the firm or a new idea will be seriously considered.”

Employee Testimonials

“Wilson Kester is a small company with an emphasis on empathy and compassion. It’s got a lot of people from very diverse career backgrounds, and everyone is focused on improving the organization and themselves. People are kind, and there’s none of the protectionism/defensiveness I’ve experienced at larger organizations.”

We're with you every step of the way.

Contact us today to get started.

What Our Clients Are Saying

“I recently went through an incredibly difficult divorce, and I am pleased to say that Wilson Kester provided invaluable assistance throughout the entire process. I cannot speak highly enough of their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients."

— Former Client

“Shelley was compassionate and understanding through the whole process. She has an aptitude on how to read people and was very instrumental in helping me deal with my ex-husband effectively.”

— Former Client

“She is well respected in the professional community, which was evident in our court proceedings. Shelley and her staff made me feel extremely comfortable and I knew that my best interest was at heart.”

— Former Client

“My inquiries and concerns were always promptly and thoroughly addressed, even beyond regular business hours. Ms. Kester is extremely knowledgeable in the area of family law.”

— Former Client