Shelby County Probate Judge

Stella Tipton

Party: Republican

Residence: Shelby County

Political experience: None.

Professional experience: Mediator, 2005-present; attorney at Law Office of Stella Tipton, 1985-present; underwriter for State Life Insurance, 1975-1985. Shelby County Board of Registrars for four years.

Education: University of Montevallo; Jones School of Law, Montgomery; completed

classes in criminal justice at UAB master’s level program; Life Underwriter Training Council,

Mediation (domestic violence trained); annual continuing legal education courses:

Family Law Conference for Alabama Practitioners, Alabama Probate and Procedure.

Civic experience: Past president and founding member of Inverness Kiwanis; past board member Summit Foundation-Parks for Shelby County; president Birmingham Health Underwriters; member of Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church.

Main issues: Tipton’s website cited her experience with the election process as a plus in her run for probate judge. The probate judge is the chief election officer of the county. Tipton has served on the Shelby County Board of Registrars, according to her website. Tipton’s site says she believes her broad experience would be an asset to the probate court.  In a press release, Tipton said, she is excited to compete in the first county election that requires the probate judge to be a licensed attorney. This, she believes will save the court money since it will no longer have to rely on outside counsel in contested probate decisions.

Top Contributors: Stella Tipton, $3,992.20; Peagler & Hollett, LLC, $500; Lois and Jim Turnipseed, Jr., $500; Donald Guthrie, $500.

Campaign: tiptonforprobatejudge.com