Meet Attorney Alden

Attorney Alden

Melissa Alden is the founding Attorney of Alden & Watson Law. Dedicated to helping individuals and families make the very best legal decisions during what can often be some of the most emotional or challenging times of their lives, her practice focuses on Family Law, Guardianships/Conservatorships, Estate Planning, and Special Needs Planning. Melissa has developed lifelong relationships with her clients by giving their case attention and treating them with the appropriate compassion required. She serves as a trusted advisor to her clients and their families and helps them to preserve and protect their assets, loved ones, and legacies.

Attorney Alden has been the recipient of the First Justice Award for Pro Bono Excellence since 2013 and has been recognized twice for her community service while serving the Town of Yarmouth as a Police Officer for 11 years. When you choose Attorney Alden, you are not only getting the experience and knowledge she has to offer, but you’re also getting the care, attention, and legal guidance of someone who understands Cape Cod and what it means to call it home.

Actively involved in the Cape Cod community for over 20 years, she is a frequent participant in the Barnstable County Probate Courthouse ‘lawyer of the day’ program, availing her services to those in need at the probate and family courthouse. Melissa understands the importance of addressing mental health on the Cape and has frequently represented individuals in Mental Health cases through the Committee for Public Counsel Services. She is also certified through the Childran and Families (CAFL) panel and accepted Guardianships of Minor Cases as well as Guardianships/Conservatorships of Incapacitated Persons through the Committee for Public Counsel Services. Attorney Alden takes on Pro Bono clients through Southcoast Legal Services, the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project, the Women’s Bar Foundation, Independence House, and through referrals in the community.

Melissa served the Town of Yarmouth as a Patrol Officer for 11 years all while developing her career as an Attorney. She has a passion for community safety and service and has participated in many organizations in her personal and professional life. She brought, “White Ribbon Day” to the Cape & Islands as well as the Independence house, to promote awareness of Domestic Violence; this event is still held annually. Melissa established the Yarmouth Police, “Fill a Cruiser” to collect Food and Monetary donations to support the local pantries. She has worked hard for the Cape Cod community and knows what it means to live and work here.

“The decisions you are facing are not easy, but you do not have to face them alone.”

Western New England School of Law, Springfield, MA, 2020 LL.M., Elder Law and Estate Planning
UMass Law (F.K.A Southern New England School of Law), Dartmouth, MA, 2008, JD, Juris Doctor
Municipal Police Training Council, Weymouth, MA, 2007, Massachusetts Police Officer
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, MA, 2003, Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
Manatee Community College, Bradenton, FL, 1999, Associate of Arts

Town of Yarmouth Patrol Officer, 2006-2017
Massachusetts Bar Association
The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Commonwealth of MA, 2017, Mental Health Panel Certified and CAFL (Children and Family Law) Panel Certified
Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement, Secretary and Vice President, 2012-2020
Barnstable Bar Association, Committee Co-Chair Family Law (2021), 2017-present
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), MassNAELA, Massachusetts Chapter
Independence House Board Member and Vice President, 2011-2015
Domestic Violence High Risk Task Force
Cape & Islands Regional Domestic Violence Council, 2013-2017
Community Leadership Institute (2017)
Inside Barnstable Town Government: A Citizen’s Leadership Academy, 26th class, 2019
Cape Cod Young Professionals Mentor Program, 2017
Elder Abuse Council Cape Cod, 2017-present
Enough Abuse Coalition, 2022-present
Board Member on the Barnstable Council on Aging Committee

Honorable Investigative Award, 2009
Letter of Commendation, Yarmouth Police, Armed Suicidal Male, 2012
Letter of Recognition, MAWLE Community Involvement, 2012
First Justice Award for Pro Bono Publico Excellence, 2013-present
Community Policing Service Award, 2016
Volunteer Lawyers Project, Pro Bono Legal Services
South Coast Legal Services, Pro Bono Legal Services
Special Olympics, 2016, Organized 2016 Torch Run and Competition
Organized Cruiser Convoy for MA state-wide Special Olympics

Melissa resides in Marstons Mills with her children, Brady and Izzy. She enjoys spending her free-time with her family, fishing with her favorite partner Mike, traveling, and volunteering in the community.

The Alden & Watson Law Team

Meet Attorney Watson

Meet Sarah Thompson

Meet Kiara Mateo

Meet Kari MacRae

Attorney Melissa Alden and Attorney Elisha Watson-Nagorka are experienced Attorneys dedicated to helping individuals and families make the very best legal decisions. Their practice focuses on Family Law, Estate Law, Immigration, Special Needs Planning, Guardianships, and ART Law. They have developed lifelong relationships with their clients, serving as a trusted advisor by helping them to preserve and protect their assets, loved ones, and legacies.

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Disclaimer: In accordance with Massachusetts law, this website must be labeled as “advertising.” The information presented at this site should not be construed to be either formal legal advice or the formation of an Attorney-client relationship. Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an Attorney-client relationship.

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