Honorable Judge Jolene Clearwater

Judge Jolene Clearwater is the Probate and Presiding Family Court Judge in Allegan County. She began her judicial career in 2013 as a juvenile and domestic attorney referee and the Director of Family Court Probation with the 48th Circuit Court Family Division in Allegan, Michigan.  Judge Clearwater is a graduate of Valparaiso University (Bachelor of Science), the Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Juris Doctorate, litigation concentration), and Franciscan University of Steubenville (Master of Arts). Through her previous work with the 48th Circuit Court, Judge Clearwater managed community probation and diversion in-home care programs that served both formally adjudicated and informally disposed delinquent youth in Allegan County.  As an Attorney Referee and Deputy Probate Register, she has over a decade of experience conducting hearings on proceedings involving juvenile delinquency, child abuse and neglect, minor guardianships, and parenting time and custody issues.  

She currently sits on the Tribal Court Relations Committee and the Child Welfare Judicial Workgroup, through the State Court Administrative Office. She previously served on the Michigan Continuing Judicial Education Board and the Board of Directors for Mediation Services. Judge Clearwater regularly trains referees, judges, court staff, attorneys, and caseworkers on various topics involving child protection and juvenile delinquency.

Probate Register and Administrator Alice Bernal

Alice Bernal joined the Allegan County Probate Court in 2025.  Previously she worked in private practice at Bernal Law Office in Byron Center, Michigan.  She began her legal career as a paralegal but after 12 years, went to back to school to become an attorney.  She graduated Cum Laude from Cooley Law School in 2016, while working and raising two children. 

Alice lives with her husband and pug in Dorr Township and together have four sons, two daughters-in-law, and two granddaughters.  Alice is very involved in serving her community and church.