Circuit Court - Family Division
MICHIGAN COURTS: Leelanau County is one of 83 counties in this great State of Michigan. In 1818, a Court of Probate was established in each county, the members of which were appointed by the Governor and from which appeals might be taken to the Supreme Court. These Courts continued in operation until Michigan was admitted into the Union as the 26th state on January 26, 1837. The Constitution of 1963 provided for each county to have a Probate Court and that "...they shall have original jurisdiction in all cases of juvenile delinquents independence, except as otherwise provided by law...".
FAMILY DIVISION: As of January 1, 1998, the Legislature created the Family Division of the Circuit Court and moved what traditionally had been Probate Court matters of adoption, child protective proceedings (abuse and neglect), emancipation of minors, juvenile delinquency, name changes, and other ancillary family matters from the Probate Court to the Circuit Court - Family Division including Domestic Relations matters.
Honorable Steven Paciorka: Judge Paciorka was elected in 2024 and took the bench in Leelanau County on January 1, 2025, for Probate Court with Circuit Court - Family Division responsibilites. Originally from Detroit, Judge Paciorka earned his Bachlor's Degee from Michigan State Univeristy in 1999. He taught at Bogle Junior High School in the Chandler, Arizona Unified School District for five years, prior to attending law school. While in law school, Judge Paciorka worked as an extern with the Ingham County Probate Court, performing the duties of guardian ad litem on guardianship reviews and on guardianship and conservatorship investigations. Judge Paciorka was also a Summer Associate at Kupelian,Ormand & Magy, P.C., a firm that Steven subsequently joined upon graduation from Michigan State University College of Law in 2008. In 2009, Judge Paciorka and his family relocated to Northport, Michigan, where they continue to reside. Judge Paciorka spent several years with a private law firm where he practiced extensively in the area of Family Law, in Circuit Courts throughout Northern Michigan. Judge Paciorka has served on the Board of Directors for the Leelanau Children's Center, and has been a member of the Grand Traverse Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association since 2009.
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Cameron Clark is the Family Court Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator. Cameron comes to this position with 17 years experience in this work in both Manistee and Benzie Counties, both as a Probation Officer and Juvenile Court Administrator. He has lived almost his entire life in Benzie County with his wife Anne, where they raised their two children. He attained a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1985. Cameron has been a school leader for at-risk youth, grades 7-12, as well as running residential facilities for at-risk youth in New England.
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Therese Hahnenberg-Larson is a Juvenile Probation Officer working mainly with females. She was hired by the County in 1995. Previous to being hired full time, Therese volunteered her time with the Court as an Intensive Probation Monitor. Therese also served as the Council Director for Northern Lower Michigan’s Girls on the Run for 17 years, retiring in 2018. Therese was born and raised in Leelanau County. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Siena Heights University. Therese has two beautiful daughters and is married to Erik Larson.
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Ryan Douglass is the Substance Abuse Caseworker/Juvenile Probation Officer for the Family Court. He was hired for this position in 1999, and works primarily with males. Ryan resides in Grand Traverse County and has been a resident there since 1980. He received his Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Prior to working for the Court, Ryan worked as a counselor at Starr Commonwealth, Child & Family Services, and Northern Family Intervention Services.
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John Boonstra is the Diversion/Prevention Counselor for the Probate and Family Court. He has worked for the Court since 2013. A lifelong resident of the Northern Michigan area, he currently residing in Traverse City with his wife and three daughters. John is a licensed professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor, and a certified prevention specialist. Prior to working for the Court, John has worked with runaway and homeless youth programs through Third Level, on the suicide prevention lifeline, as a member of children's crisis team, and as a youth camp director. He also currently works with Northern Lake Community Mental Health emergency services.
Josephine Lingaur is currently the Juvenile Register for the Family Court. She was initially hired by the Court in 1999 as Deputy Probate Register. Upon restructuring of the office, Josephine was promoted to Juvenile Register in 2011. She is also a Certified Court Recorder and Notary Public. Josephine and her husband, Dale, have four adult children and are grandparents to five children.
Aimee Bunbury is the Diversion/Prevention counselor for the Probate and Family Court. She was hired in 2024. Aimee was born and raised in Leelanau County where she currently lives with her husband and two Brittanys. After graduating from Suttons Bay High School, Aimee went on to receive an undergraduate degree in social work from Michigan State University in 2012 and a masters degree in clinical social work from Michigan State University in 2014. Aimee is a licensed master of social work (LMSW) and has over 10 years experience working in the public mental health system and criminal justice system providing case management, crisis intervention, and therapy services.