If you’ve spent any time at all watching daytime TV, you’ve probably seen the sharp, incredibly stylish, and deeply empathetic Dana Cutler. She’s one half of the legal powerhouse duo on Couples Court with the Cutlers and Cutler’s Court. Honestly, there is something about her that just feels like that wise auntie or mentor who isn’t afraid to tell you the truth, even if it hurts a little. Naturally, fans are curious about the woman behind the robe. One of the biggest questions that pops up constantly in Google searches is: how old is dana cutler?
It’s funny because people often guess she’s much younger than she actually is. She has this energy—this vibrant, sharp-as-a-tack presence—that makes her seem timeless. But when you look at the sheer volume of what she’s accomplished in the legal world before she even stepped in front of a camera, the timeline starts to make sense.
The Real Numbers: How Old is Dana Cutler?
So, let's get right to it. Dana Tippin Cutler was born on January 7, 1967. As of right now, in early 2026, Dana Cutler is 59 years old. She’ll be hitting that big 60-year milestone next January. It’s wild to think about because she’s been a staple in the Kansas City legal community and on national television for so long, yet she still brings more fire to the bench than most people half her age.
Wait, why does everyone care so much about her age? Mostly because she and her husband, Keith Cutler, have a "long game" kind of love that most people are jealous of. They aren't just TV judges playing a part; they’ve been a team since they were kids in college.
From Spelman to the Small Screen
You can't really talk about how old she is without looking at where she started. Dana is a proud alumna of Spelman College in Atlanta. That’s where the magic happened. She met Keith back in the 1980s while they were both undergraduates (he was across the way at Morehouse College).
Think about that for a second. They’ve been together for over 40 years.
After Spelman, she didn't just coast. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Law School. She and Keith actually graduated law school together in 1989. That same year, on June 10, 1989, they tied the knot.
If you're doing the math, they’ve been married for nearly 37 years. In the world of celebrity and television, that is basically an eternity. It’s probably why they are so good at presiding over relationship disputes—they’ve actually done the work in their own life.
Breaking Barriers in Missouri
Before the Emmy nominations and the fame, Dana was busy making history. She wasn't just "a lawyer." She became a partner at her father’s firm, James W. Tippin & Associates.
In 2016, she reached a massive milestone: she was elected as the first Black woman president of the Missouri Bar.
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That wasn't just a title. She used that platform to launch the "Courageous Collaboration" program, which basically forced lawyers to sit down and talk about implicit bias. She’s someone who "shows up and says yes," which is a piece of advice she often gives to younger attorneys.
Why She Looks the Way She Does (The Lifestyle Factor)
People keep searching for her age because, frankly, she looks incredible. While she hasn't released some secret "fountain of youth" skincare routine, her life gives us a few clues.
- Long-term Partnership: Studies consistently show that a happy, stable marriage can actually lower stress levels and increase longevity.
- Professional Passion: She’s still practicing law. She specializes in education law and charter schools. Staying mentally active is huge.
- Family Joy: She and Keith have three adult sons. Seeing your kids grow up and thrive (they often mention their sons on the show) adds a level of fulfillment that shows on a person's face.
Addressing the "Paternity Court" Confusion
One thing that confuses people is which show she’s actually on. You’ll see people searching for "the Paternity Court judge."
Technically, Lauren Lake is the face of Paternity Court. However, Dana and Keith’s shows—Couples Court and the newer Cutler’s Court—often deal with DNA results and paternity issues as part of the relationship drama. They use high-tech tools like cell phone forensics and GPS tracking, which makes their courtroom feel very modern.
Because both shows air in similar daytime slots and share a similar vibe of "seeking the truth through science," people often lump them together. But Dana is very much her own brand of justice.
The "Cutler’s Court" Reboot
If you thought she was retiring because she’s approaching 60, think again. After Couples Court was caught in the middle of some corporate shuffling (Amazon buying MGM), it was canceled in 2020.
But fans wouldn't let them go.
In late 2023, they launched Cutler’s Court. It’s filmed in Atlanta and covers a broader range of issues. Sometimes it’s a cheating scandal, sure, but sometimes it’s just a toxic mother-in-law or a dispute over a pet. It feels more like a therapy session with two very smart, very experienced legal minds.
Actionable Insights from Dana’s Journey
Looking at Dana Cutler’s life at 59, there are a few things we can actually take away for our own lives:
- The "Yes" Rule: Dana attributes much of her success to simply saying "yes" to leadership opportunities when they felt scary. If you're waiting to feel "ready," you might wait forever.
- Compatibility over Chemistry: The Cutlers often talk about how they were "running buddies" and friends before they were a couple. That foundation is why they can sit on a bench together all day and still want to go home to each other.
- Longevity is a Result of Consistency: Whether it's her 30+ years in law or her 35+ years of marriage, her "age" is really just a measure of her persistence.
She proves that you don't have to "slow down" just because you're moving into a new decade. Whether she's defending a school district or telling a guest to stop checking their boyfriend's DMs, Dana Cutler is living proof that 59 is just the beginning of a whole new chapter.
If you’re watching her on TV today, just remember: you’re looking at over three decades of legal expertise and a lifetime of "showing up." That’s why she’s so good at what she does.
To keep up with Dana, you can follow her professional updates through the Missouri Bar or catch the latest episodes of Cutler's Court in syndication, where she continues to prove that wisdom and style only get better with time.