Kristen focuses her practice on the representation of high-net-worth individuals and family businesses in complicated estate and business planning matters.
Kristen also advises fiduciaries regarding the administration of complex estates and trusts.
Experience
- Represent and advise multiple generations of families in estate planning and business succession matters.
- Assist client with sale of closely-held S corporation stock to dynasty trust.
- Advise individual and corporate fiduciaries regarding administration of large estate consisting of music royalties and other assets.
- Create and assist family with administration of private family trust company.
- Virginia
Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Trusts and Estates, Woodward/White, Inc., 2019-2025
Selected for inclusion, Private Wealth Law, Band 3, Virginia, 2021; Private Wealth Law, Band 2, Virginia, 2022, 2023, Chambers HNW Guide
Named to “Legal Elite,” Young Lawyer, 2006; Taxes/Estates/Trusts/Elder Law, 2013, 2018, 2020-2023, Virginia Business
Selected for inclusion in Who’s Who Legal, Private Client: Lawyers, 2021
Named to “Virginia Rising Stars,” Estate Planning & Probate, Tax, Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2010-2019
Member, Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society
- Monthly Columnist, Wealth Management Business, January 1, 2020
- Author, "The Simplicity Trap: Estate Tax Return Filing Requirements in the Context of Portability," Trusts and Estates Section Newsletter, Virginia State Bar, Spring 2019
- Author, Recent Cases of Interest to Fiduciaries: July 2018, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, July 24, 2018
- Author, What the New Tax Law Means for Individuals and Closely Held Business Owners, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, December 20, 2017
- Co-author, "United States v. Estate of Grace: Seeking a More Objective Test For the Application of the Reciprocal Trust Doctrine," ACTEC Law Journal, Spring 2016
- Author, "The Delaware Tax Trap In States Without a Perpetuities Period," Probate Practice Reporter, September 2015
- Author, State of the Union Surprise: President Targets Inherited Assets in Middle-Class Tax Reform, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 21, 2015
- Author, Jimenez v. Corr: Form Trumps Substance in Distribution of Closely Held Stock, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 26, 2014
- Author, North Carolina Ties Surviving Spouses’ Rights to the Length of the Marriage, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 20, 2013
- Author, By the Grace of … the IRS. Deferred Estate Tax Accelerated for Failure to Make Required Payments, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, October 17, 2013
- Author, Windsor Revisited: IRS Guidance Recognizing Same-Sex Marriages, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, August 30, 2013
- Author, Obergefell Adds New Dimension to Windsor, Perry Decisions for Same-Sex Couples, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, August 1, 2013
- Author, Virginia Joins Growing Number of States Enacting Trust Decanting Statutes, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, April 16, 2012
- Author, Security for Certain Out-of-State Banks and Trust Companies Serving in Virginia, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, November 8, 2010
- Co-author, "Estate Planning in Uncertain Times," CCH Financial and Estate Planning, Report No. 362, Vol. 3, 33,351, February 2010
- Author, U.S. Estate Planning in Uncertain Times: Briefing to UK Clients on Estate Tax Repeal Impact, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 19, 2010
- Author, Life Insurance Trusts in 2010, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, January 14, 2010
- Co-author, "Estate Planning In Uncertain Times: The Impact of the Repeal of the Estate Tax and What You Need to Consider," January 1, 2010
- Author, Transfer Tax Implications of Trust Investment in Limited Partnership, McGuireWoods Legal Alert, March 23, 2009
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Washington and Lee University School of LawJD
magna cum laude
2004 - University of VirginiaBAHistory2001
Board Member, Executive Committee, Richmond Estate Planning Council
Board Member, Wolters Kluwer Financial and Estate Planning Advisory Board
Member, Board of Directors, The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia
Member, Steering Committee for Up & Atom Women’s Leadership Breakfast, Science Museum of Virginia
Member, VMFA Charitable Advisors, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Member, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, American Bar Association
Executive Council, Wills, Trusts & Estates Section; Member, Legislative Committee, Wills, Trusts & Estates Section, Virginia Bar Association
Member, Virginia State Bar
Member, Ted Dalton American Inn of Court, 2003-2004
- Speaker, "Modifying Irrevocable Trusts," The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) 2022 Southeast Regional Meeting, Richmond, VA, September 11, 2022
- Speaker, "Estate Planning in an Age of Changing Tax Law," 67th Annual William & Mary Tax Conference, November 12, 2021
- Speaker, "Estate Planning in an Age of Changing Tax Law," 67th Annual William & Mary Tax Conference, November 11, 2021
- Speaker, "Fixing the Broken Trust: Modifying, Restructuring, and Terminating Irrevocable Trusts," Conner-Zaritsky 41st Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Administration Seminar, September 24, 2020
- Speaker, "Intersection of Estate Planning and Family Law," 14th Annual Fiduciary Advisory Services Seminar, Wednesday, October 2, 2019
- Speaker, "Tax Reform and the Impact on You and Your Estate," Essential Insight on Sweeping Tax Reforms, January 18, 2018
- Speaker, How to Advise Your Clients: Impact of the 2017 Tax Act on Estate, Income Tax, and Business Planning, January 16, 2018
- Speaker, "Portability: 7 Years Later," 36th Annual Trusts and Estates Seminar, October 23, 2017
- Speaker, "Lessons from Virginia Fiduciary Litigation Cases," 35th Annual Trusts and Estates Seminar, October 2016
- Faculty, "Estate Planning in a World of Creditors and Predators: Asset Protection for Every Estate Planning Client," 34th Trusts Estates Seminar, October 2015
- Speaker, "Recent Developments in the Law, Estate Planning and Administration," Virginia CLE Seminar, June 2014
- Speaker, "The Door is Closing – What You Need To Know About Making Gifts in 2012," Virginia CLE Seminar, December 2012
- Speaker, "Estate Planning," International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists, Richmond Chapter, September 2010
- Speaker, Putting Creativity into a Corporate Box: Selecting the Right Entity for Your Arts Business, August 2008
- Speaker, Recent Developments in the Law, June 2008