Meet Elisabeth Dery
“My commitment to community service has always guided my actions. With my extensive probate law experience and my active involvement with the Michigan Guardianship Association, I am well-prepared to serve the needs of our community as Oakland County Probate Judge.”
Elisabeth Dery grew up on a farm in north Oakland County where she participated in the Michigan 4-H Youth Development Program. This experience fostered a strong work ethic and taught her the value of community service and engagement. Dery attended Holy Family Regional School in Rochester and graduated from Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills. She then earned a degree from the University of Maryland.
Prior to her career in law, Dery pursued a career in veterinary medicine. As an emergency vet technician, she learned that she not only offered a calming and steady presence for the animals in her care, but that she also had a knack for helping people through stressful experiences with their pets, giving them guidance about how to proceed with their pet’s care including the painful process of a pet’s death. She realized that she could use her skills and temperament to help people during difficult times of their lives as a probate lawyer.
Dery completed her legal education at Cooley Law School in 2012. Admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2014, she has gained extensive probate law experience during the past 15 years. Her legal career started at Kemp Klein Law Firm in Troy under the mentorship of Thomas Trainer. There, she focused on issues relevant to Medicaid planning, drafting special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Currently, she is part owner of Yun, Dery & Morgan, P.C., located in the Village of Clarkston. Her practice focuses on all areas of probate with a specialization in Medicaid planning, special needs trust administration, and government benefits.
In addition to her passion for probate law, Dery enjoys photography, dog rescue, and the outdoors, especially rock climbing, camping, kayaking, and horseback riding.
Experienced Advocate – With over a decade of probate law experience, Elisabeth has dedicated her career to representing vulnerable adults, families, and those requiring court-appointed protection.
Why Is Elisabeth Dery the Best Choice for Oakland County Probate Judge?
Proven Fiduciary Leader – Elisabeth has personally served in over 400 cases as a guardian, conservator, trustee, or personal representative, earning the trust of clients to protect their best interests.
Hands-On with Real People – Elisabeth manages a 25-person team that assists clients in accessing government benefits, securing housing, and receiving vital daily care support.
Expert in Special Needs & Elder Law – As a frequent educator and speaker, Elisabeth addresses topics such as Medicaid planning, Special Needs Trusts, and legal protections for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Recognized Leader – Elisabeth served as the Chair of the Oakland County Bar’s Probate, Estate, and Trust Committee and has been elected to the Board of the Michigan Guardianship Association, demonstrating her commitment to the field.
Educator to Attorneys – Elisabeth trains legal professionals statewide through the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), the Oakland County Bar Association, and the Michigan Guardianship Association..
Grounded and Relatable – A dog rescuer, outdoor adventurer, former emergency veterinary technician, and former coffee shop manager, Elisabeth brings a relatable touch to her practice.
Inclusive Values – Elisabeth co-authored legal articles supporting second-parent adoption and LGBTQ+ families post-Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity.
Rooted in Community Service – Elisabeth has volunteered legal support for low-income residents through Common Ground for over 4 years, reinforcing her dedication to community service.
Balanced Judgment – With both heart and extensive probate law experience, Elisabeth will bring the kind of balanced judgment to the Oakland County Probate Court that every family deserves.
Rated Outstanding by Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM), their highest rating
Years of Experience in Probate Law
SINCE 2022
Dery has been a Partner at Yun, Dery & Morgan, PC in Clarkston, MI where she has gained vast professional fiduciary experience acting as a guardian conservator, trustee, or personal representative in more than 400 cases.
She also advises clients in Medicaid planning, Social Security benefits, and Veteran Affairs benefit planning. She drafts and reviews special needs trusts, Veteran Affairs and Medicaid-approved trusts, and other comprehensive estate planning documents. Additionally, she administers decedent estates and special needs trusts, and manages a staff of 25 employees.
From 2018 to 2021
Dery was an attorney for John Yun, PC in Clarkston.
She advised clients in Medicaid planning, Social Security benefits and Veteran Affairs benefit planning. She drafted and reviewed special needs trusts, Veteran Affairs and Medicaid approved trusts, and other comprehensive estate planning documents. Additionally, she administered decedent estates and special needs trusts.
From 2014 to 2018
Dery was an Associate Attorney at Kemp Klein Law Firm in Troy
She represented the Public Administrator in court hearings and litigation proceedings, and assisted in obtaining government benefits and housing. She conducted depositions, performed trial preparations, and completed evidentiary hearings. Additionally, she engaged in negotiations to obtain optimal outcomes for clients.
from 2011 to 2014
Prior to her role as an Associate Attorney, Dery worked at Kemp Klein Law Firm as a paralegal
She met with clients to gather appropriate information to open probate estates, researched case law for attorneys and prepared summaries in memo format, and created a firm standard protocol for the case location master list and closed all completed files.
In 2011
Dery was a law clerk for the United States Marshal Service (USMS)
She reviewed and investigated civilian claims against the USMS, researching state laws of claim and interviewing claimants and recommend appropriate action to the General Council.
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High School Diploma 2001, Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Bachelor of Science 2007, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Juris Doctor 2012, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Auburn Hills, MI
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Michigan Bar Association Member since 2014
Elder Law & Disability Rights Member
Military and Veterans Law Member
Probate & Estate Planning Member
Social Security Lawyers Member
LGBTQ+
Oakland County Bar Association Member since 2015
Legislative Committee, Liaison for Probate Estate and Trust Committee since 2025
Probate Estate and Trust Committee - Chair, 2023 to 2024; Vice Chair, 2022-2023
Equity and Diversity Committee
Veterans Committee
Veterans Affairs (VA) Attorney Accreditation April 2016 - April 2020
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) since April 2025
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“Overview of Professional Fiduciary Roles and Current Legislative Issues,” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, January 2023
“It’s all About the Family” regarding second-parent adoption, Commentator, Fall 2016
“Post-Windsor Federal Benefits and Estate Planning,” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, February 2014
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"Navigating Estate Planning Under Guardianship in Michigan: Retained Rights and Legal Options" MGA 2026 Spring Conference
“Identifying When Guardianship and Conservatorship is No Longer Needed” MGA 2023 Spring Conference
“Guardian Case Study Roundtable” MGA 2022 Fall Conference
“Special Needs Trusts and MiAble Accounts” MGA 2022 Spring Conference
“Latest Developments in Medicaid Planning” Medicaid and Health Care Planning Update 2017 Spring Conference
“SSI and Special Needs Trust Policy Revisions, Now What are They Trying to Prevent” Elder Law and Disability Rights Conference 2014 Fall Conference (author only)
“The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Connection to Government Benefits,” Elder Law and Disability Rights 2013 Fall Conference
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Serving Adults who are Vulnerable and/or Elderly (S.A.V.E.)Task Force - Board Member since 2025
Wayne State Institute of Gerontology (IOG) - Board of Visiting Directors since 2025
Michigan Guardianship Association (MGA) - Board of Director, Serve as Secretary since 2024
Social Program Evaluators and Consultants, Inc. (SPEC Associates) - Board of Director - Served as Secretary since 2022
Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) Elder Law Certificate Program - 2017
Common Ground - provided legal advice and counseling to low income or underprivileged persons - 2015 - 2019
