Overview
Christine Fletcher has over two decades of experience advising clients through the legal aspects of personal life. Her practice concentrates on estate planning, trust and estate administration, probate litigation, and family business matters. She assists individuals and families with creating sophisticated estate plans, minimizing estate taxes and ensuring assets pass to intended recipients while navigating certain legalities, including death, marriage, prenuptial agreements and buying out a family business.
In her estate planning work, Christine addresses the complexities caused by second marriages and blended families, divorce and crises. She is also adept at developing plans with a charitable purpose while still providing for family members and loved ones in a tax-efficient manner.
Christine counsels clients on international asset plans for transitional and tax issues associated with having assets abroad. In probate courts, she helps clients probate estates, petition for guardianships and maneuver through disputes arising from contested estates. In addition, Christine advises clients with closely held or family-owned businesses with business succession planning or sale.
When matters are disputed, Christine presents clients with options and solutions advising as to risks and possible outcomes. She also provides practical advice to maneuver through the court system in an efficient and effective manner.
Education and Credentials
Education
- Syracuse University College of Law, J.D., 1994
- Boston University, B.A., cum laude, 1991
Admissions
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- State of New Hampshire
- State of New Jersey
- State of New York
Affiliations
- Boston Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2020-2023
- Family Firm Institute
- Boston Estate Planning Council
- Boston Probate and Estate Planning Forum
- National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) – Accredited Estate Planner designee, 2017
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Selected to the list of Boston Magazine's Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2021-2022
Recognized as a Top Author in Wealth Management, JD Supra Readers' Choice Awards, 2020
Selected to the list of Women Worth Watching® by Profiles in Diversity Journal, 2018
In The Media
Publications
- Should a SLAT Be Part of Your Estate Planning?, Forbes.com, February 16, 2021
- 5 Ways a Democratic Controlled White House, Senate, and House Could Affect Your Estate Planning, Forbes.com, January 27, 2021
- Your Spouse is Dying: 5 Ways to Get Your Estate in Order Now, Forbes.com, January 20, 2021
- Does Your Adult Child Need A Will?, Forbes.com, December 21, 2020
- What Does a Biden White House Mean for Estate Taxes, Forbes.com, November 30, 2020
- Demystifying the Estate Plan, Forbes.com, October 30, 2020
- If Biden Wins, Should You Gift?, Forbes.com, October 19, 2020
- What You Need To Know About Updating Your Power of Attorney Now, Forbes.com, September 30, 2020
- Thinking About the Unthinkable in Your Estate Planning, Forbes.com, September 16, 2020
- 4 Things You Should Know About the Death Tax Exemption, Forbes.com, August 17, 2020
- Divorcing During COVID? 5 Things Your Need to Know, Forbes.com, July 31, 2020
- Don't Overlook Your Trust Funding, Forbes.com, July 13, 2020
- Who Will Pay Your Estate Taxes?, Forbes.com, June 12, 2020
- Should 'Do Not Resuscitate' Be Part of Your Estate Plan?, Forbes.com, May 28, 2020
- Administering an Estate During The COVID-19 Crisis, Forbes.com, April 29, 2020
- 6 Parts of Your Estate Plan You Should Review Now, Forbes.com, April 15, 2020
- Eight Estate Planning Strategies in a COVID-19 World, Forbes.com, March 23, 2020
- Take Advantage of Trump's Tax Law Benefits Before They Are Gone, Forbes.com, February 27, 2020
- 10 Estate Planning ways to Say 'I Love You', Forbes.com, February 14, 2020
- 10 Tips for Choosing a Guardian for Your Minor Child, Forbes.com, January 19, 2020
- Will the SECURE Act Make Your Retirement More Secure, Forbes.com, January 19, 2020
- Why UTMA Accounts Are Not as Simple as They Seem, Forbes.com, December 12, 2019
- Why You Should Take Advantage of Trump's Estate Tax Laws Now, Forbes.com, November 15, 2019
- The Pros and Cons of Electronic Wills, Forbes.com, October 25, 2019
- What Family Businesses Need to Know About Gifting Business Interests, Forbes.com, October 19, 2019
- 7 Ways That Beneficiary Designations Can Mess Up Your Estate Plan, Forbes.com, September 26, 2019
- 9 Things You Need To Know About Power of Attorney, Forbes.com, September 12, 2019
- Why You Should Change Your Will Now, Forbes.com, August 27, 2019
- Keeping Your Estate Planning Documents Safe, Forbes.com, August 16, 2019
- Why Writing Your Own Will Is a Bad Idea, Forbes.com, July 29, 2019
- Why A Simple Will Won't Cut It If You Have Young Children, Forbes.com, July 12, 2019
- Six Ways to Protect Your Surviving Spouse From A Charlatan, Forbes.com, June 27, 2019
- A Beginner's Guide to Reading a Trust, Forbes.com, June 17, 2019
- How to Choose a Trustee, Forbes.com, May 31, 2019
- 8 Things You Need to Know About The Death Tax Before You Die, Forbes.com, May 20, 2019
- 6 Estate Planning Tips for Blended Families, Forbes.com, May 20, 2019
- How To Avoid the 8 Biggest Executor Mistakes, Forbes.com, April 11, 2019
- Special Needs Kids Require Specialized Estate Planning, Forbes.com, March 27, 2019
- 5 Estate Planning Strategies for Singles, Forbes.com, March 15, 2019
- 10 Reasons Why You Need a Trust, Forbes.com, February 21, 2019
- 6 Ways to Protect Your Foreign Assets in Estate Planning, Forbes.com, February 21, 2019
- 9 Things You Need to Know About Estate Planning After Divorce, Forbes.com, January 8, 2019
- How to Maximize Your Year-End Charitable Gifts, Forbes.com, December 19, 2018
- How to Make Your Estate Plan Doomsday Ready, Forbes.com, December 3, 2018
Speaking Engagements
- Trusts and Estates – What to Expect from the Biden Administration, February 2021
- NPEPC Virtual Lunch Round Table Discussion, September 2020
- Fundamentals of Estate Planning – PART TWO, May 2019
- Ten Things to Know in Talking to Your Kids About Prenups, February 2019
- Probate Law for Paralegals, June 2016
- Coordinating Estate Plans and Business Assets, October, 2015
- Asset Protection Planning and Charitable Planning, May 2015
- Case Study: Succession Planning for Charlie and Sally Jones, May 2015
Media Mention
- Boston Magazine's Top Lawyers of 2024, Boston magazine, November 19, 2024
- Why You Might Not Want to Waive Alimony in Your Prenup, Forbes.com , September 23, 2024
- Boston Magazine's Top Lawyers of 2023, Boston Magazine, November 21, 2023
- New Associations, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, July 7, 2023
- Day Pitney Adds 4 Ex-Burns & Levinson Attys in Boston, Law360, June 5, 2023