Overview

Kristin, Chair of the firm’s Trusts & Estates Group, counsels individuals and fiduciaries on a wide variety of trusts and estates matters. Her practice areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, Medicaid-planning and elder law, guardianships, and special needs planning.

Kristin works closely with clients to develop and implement estate planning strategies that are tailored to meet their personal and financial goals, such as probate avoidance and charitable giving. She conveys complicated legal issues and regulations in a simple and effective manner so that clients understand the steps to be taken to achieve those goals. Kristin offers sound solutions and peace of mind while assisting clients navigate some of life’s most difficult circumstances, including the aging, incapacity or death of a parent or loved one.

Kristin collaborates with other attorneys in the firm’s Litigation Group on will contests, claims of undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty and contested guardianships.

Education

  • Roger Williams University School of Law (J.D., 2007)
  • The Pennsylvania State University (B.A., 2004)

Admissions

  • Rhode Island
  • Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island
Representative Matters
  • Counseled a higher educational institution serving as fiduciary in estate administration matters.
  • Drafted first-party special needs trusts pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 1396 p(d)(4)(A) to protect multi-million dollar personal injury and medical malpractice settlements.
  • Represented trustees of first-party and third-party special needs trusts.
  • Successfully protected elderly individuals against elder financial abuse in the probate and Superior Courts.
  • Successfully argued against Motions for Reconsideration in a probate court proceeding when the opposing party did not adhere to statutory requirements for probate court appeals.
  • Represented corporate trustees in trust termination and modification proceedings in Superior Court.
  • Advised financial institutions regarding trusts, retirement accounts and beneficiary designations.
  • Successfully defeated a claim of common-law marriage in a probate proceeding to ensure that the rightful heirs at law benefited from the estate.
  • Negotiated with life insurance companies to ensure that policy proceeds were paid to the proper beneficiaries.
Seminars / Publications
  • Author, “Living Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney for Health Care, and Durable Financial Powers of Attorney,” A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Rhode Island (MCLE)
  • Author, “Personal Representatives’ Qualifications and Bonds,” A Practical Guide to Probate in Rhode Island (MCLE)
  • Panelist/Speaker, Rhode Island Bar Association
  • Speaker, Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island
Honors
  • Recognized as a “JD Supra Top Author” in the JD Supra 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
  • Professional Excellence in the Law, Wills Trusts & Estates, Rhode Island Monthly, 2019 – 2023.
  • Named a Rhode Island Super Lawyers “Rising Star” Elder Law, 2016-2022.

 

RI Monthly
Super Lawyers
JD Supra Top Author 2023
Professional Affiliations
  • Member, Lifespan Planned Giving Advisory Council.
  • Member, The Rhode Island Foundation Professional Advisory Council.
  • Co-Chair, Rhode Island Bar Association, Probate & Trust Committee.
  • Member, Rhode Island Bar Association, Trusts & Estates Committee.
  • Member, Massachusetts Bar Association.
  • Member, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys – Rhode Island Chapter.
  • Member, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys – Massachusetts Chapter.
In the Community
  • Member, Board of Directors, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island
  • Past Member, Board of Directors, Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Rhode Island

 

Blog
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
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A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
A Last Will And Testament sitting on a desk with a pen on top of it.
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