Anthea E. Papista

Anthea E. Papista is a respected attorney with decades of experience in family law and trust and estate litigation. Known for her strategic thinking and attention to detail, she regularly advises clients in complex and high-net-worth divorce cases. These often include issues like business valuations, division of retirement assets, and custody matters. She also represents clients in will and trust disputes, estate administration, and estate planning matters.

Ms. Papista earned her LL.M. in Corporate and Finance Law from Wayne State University Law School in 2005. She holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law (1993), where she was Managing Editor and Note & Comment Editor of the Detroit College of Law – Law Review. She completed her B.A. in Political Science with distinction from the University of Michigan in 1987 and studied abroad at the London School of Economics from 1986 to 1987.

In addition to representing clients, Ms. Papista is a certified mediator, often appointed to resolve trust and estate conflicts. She is active in the legal community, serving as Co-Chair and Co-Editor of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Journal and Family Law Liaison to the State Bar’s Probate and Estate Planning Section. She previously served on the Family Law Council (2013–2021) and contributes as lead or co-author of influential amicus briefs to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Anthea E. Papista is a nationally recognized Michigan Super Lawyer in both Family Law and Trusts & Estates. Consistently ranked among the region’s leading attorneys, she has been named a Top Lawyer by DBusiness, a Top Attorney by Crain’s Detroit Business, and one of Hour Detroit’s Top Women Attorneys. A trusted authority in Michigan family law, she also serves as co-editor of the LexisNexis Practice Guide on Michigan Family Law and authors several of its key chapters.

Ms. Papista brings practical solutions and clear guidance to emotionally charged legal matters. Her leadership, skill, and calm approach continue to benefit families and individuals across Michigan.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Papista & Papista, PLC
• Co-Chair & Co-Editor-in-Chief, Michigan Family Law Journal
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Member, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• Member, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
• Member, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• Member, Family Law Council’s Amicus Committee
• Member, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
• Member & Former President, Hellenic Bar Association of Michigan
• Member, Macomb County Probate Bar Association
• Member, Oakland County Bar Association
• Member, Wayne County Family Law Bar Association
• Hearing Chair, Attorney Discipline Board

Licensed State

• Michigan

Education

• Wayne State University Law School
  Master of Laws (LL.M.)
• Michigan State University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Awards & Badges