Alethia Battles and Jennifer Lawrence are competing for the open Washtenaw County Probate Court seat on the Nov. 3 ballot. The winner will serve a six-year term replacing Judge Julia Owdziej, who is retiring at the end of her term.

The seat is nonpartisan.

MLive profiled both candidates on Sunday, Sept. 27, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund's Vote411.org voter guide. The Washtenaw County Probate Court handles conservatorships, estates, guardianships, mental health commitments, wills and registration of foreign births.

Battles describes herself as a clinical social worker and practicing probate attorney. She serves as associate general counsel and clinical social worker at the University of Michigan and Michigan Medicine, where she manages guardianship and capacity cases, according to her campaign.

She told the voter guide she began working in probate court in 2009 as a guardianship reviewer. She has 30 years of clinical social work experience, according to The Michigan Daily's coverage of a June 8 candidates forum at Arrowwood Community Center.

Battles said her top priorities include addressing what she described as a lack of legislative oversight for guardians, and developing a strategic plan to address what she called a lack of resources for vulnerable residents.

Lawrence said she has practiced law in Washtenaw County for nearly 20 years, with a focus on probate, family law, estate planning, civil litigation and criminal defense. She is a past president of the Washtenaw County Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. Before law school, she worked as a District Court clerk and paralegal, according to the voter guide.

At the June 8 forum, where about 100 residents attended, Lawrence drew a contrast on courtroom experience.

"These are not the types of cases that you want to take on your first track," Lawrence said, referring to family law and restraining order litigation.

Lawrence said access to justice and case delays are her key concerns, particularly for self-represented parties, people with disabilities and those facing language barriers.

Both candidates appeared at the Arrowwood forum alongside Ann Arbor mayoral and City Council candidates. Battles also spoke at the Ann Arbor Labor Day event at County Farm Park on Sept. 7, according to People's World.

The last day to register to vote by any means other than in person with a local clerk is Monday, Oct. 19. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.