Kristin Dittus, J.D., LL.M.
Expert Knowledge to Guide You Through Life’s Difficult Decisions
Pronouns: she/her/hers
With more than 20 years of experience working with a wide range of clients, I help people understand and resolve their legal, financial and emotional concerns around estate planning. Naming agents to handle your financial and medical affairs if you cannot manage them yourself, or choosing a legal guardian for your minor children, can be daunting and stressful. I am here to listen to your concerns and goals, then work with you to assess the different options available, allowing us to come up with the best possible plan for you and your family or business. I have my Masters in Tax to better serve clients with complex assets.
Tax and inheritance laws are often changing, so I stay current with these updates as an active participant of the Trusts and Estate Section of the Colorado Bar Association (CBA), where I am currently serving as Vice President for the T&E Section. Since 2013, I have also helped summarize the lectures at the annual Heckerling Institute on tax and estate planning conference in Florida for the American Bar Association (ABA), as well as teach and attend Continuing Learning Education (CLE) classes that discuss the evolving strategies for this area of law.
I am actively involved in our legal community as a mentor to T&E attorneys, serving on the Executive Council for the T&E Section for the past 8 years, as a past president of the Women’s Estate Planning Council, and planning CLE courses for attorneys in Colorado.
A unique fact people always remember about me is that my mother and I went to law school at the same time – but not to the same schools – in the New England area. She helped me find my passion in estate planning!
Outside of my law practice, I enjoy learning how to remodel my fixer-upper house, getting outside as much as I can – especially for hiking, skiing and sunset walks, and spending time with my family.
Professional Credentials & Recognitions
- LL.M., University of Denver Graduate Tax Program, Denver, CO, 2010
- J.D., Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, NY, 2003
- B.A. (English / Economics), University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 1998
- Licensed to practice in Colorado and New York
- Colorado Super Lawyers (2023–present)
- Reporter for the American Bar Association on the Heckerling Institute, beginning in 2013 through the current year
- Over 40 Hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) each year
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Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement
- Secretary/Treasurer for the Colorado Bar Association (“CBA”) Trust and Estate Section Executive Council, serving a 4-year term to be followed by Vice Chair, Chair and Immediate Past Chair (July 2024–July 2028).
- Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for Women’s Estate Planning Council, in my last year of a 3-year term as Vice President, President and Immediate Past President (July 2022–July 2025).
- Co-Editor of Colorado Bar Association (“CBA”) Trust and Estate Newsletter, Council Notes, a quarterly published newsletter related to the Trust and Estate Section. Responsibilities include: finding authors to publish quarterly articles, identifying current events and leadership positions of CBA committees, and review of information related to statutory changes, IRS news, and federal and state cases (2018–present).
- American Bar Association reporter summarizing lectures at the annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning in Orlando, Florida, published on the ABA website, (2013– present).
- Mentor for attorneys with the Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program (CAMP), (2013–present).
- Active in monthly First Wednesday committee meetings for the CBA Trust and Estate Section related to planning continuing legal education classes, statutory revisions committee, and executive council to review and discuss decisions for the Trust and Estate Section (2014–present).
- Executive Council Member for Colorado Bar Association Trust and Estate Section (July 2019–July 2021).
- Attorney Well-Being Committee, Organizing Lead on outreach to non-metro area attorneys for wellness objectives (2018).
- Co-Chair, Public Relations Committee for Women’s Estate Planning Council (July 2015–July 2017).
- Co-Chair of the Boulder County Bar Association Taxation, Estate Planning and Probate Section (July 2011–July 2013).
- Active member of the Trust and Estate Section of the Colorado Bar Association, Women’s Estate Planning Council, and the Rocky Mountain Estate Planning Council.
- Frequent participant in Walk MS and Walk for Alzheimer’s Denver (2016–present)
Articles and Presentations
- Powers Under Colorado’s Uniform Power of Attorney Act: Discussions on Practical Use and Limitations, presented with Kelianne Chamberlain of Hoskin Farina & Kampf at the 2024 Colorado Estate Planning Conference, in Vail, Colorado
- Effective Billing, Avoiding Fee Conflicts with your Clients and Collecting the 2% Surcharge Fee, presented in 2023 for various groups including Trust & Estate Practice Support Committee, CBA Trust & Estate Brown Bag Lunch Series, and to Colorado Women Owned Law Firms
- Building a Law Practice You Love: Effective Solo-Small Firm Practice Management Tools and Workflow Techniques, 2022 Colorado Estate Planning Retreat presentation on practice management recommendations and software.
- Much Ado About Medicaid Planning, 2021 Colorado Estate Planning Retreat presentation on Medicaid and techniques estate planners can incorporate for clients who are concerned about Medicaid planning.
- Reflecting on 2019 to Have an Even Better 2020, Dec. 2019 CBA Trust and Estate Newsletter, Council Notes Article on improving your client’s experience, uplifting your work environment and work life balance tips.
- Presented on Estate Planning for Blended Families to CBA at Denver Senior Law Day in July 2019
- Published “Estate Planning for Blended Families” in the March and April 2015 Boulder County Bar Association Monthly Publication
- Published “How a Trust can Protect Your Child’s Estate from a Divorcing Spouse” in the March 2012 Boulder County Bar Association Monthly Publication and later presented on the same topic as well as other asset protection strategies to the Boulder County Bar Association
- Presented on Trends in Tax Planning and Estate Planning for Women in Business to the Golden Women in Business group in January 2014
- How a Trust can Protect Your Child’s Estate from a Divorcing Spouse, March 2012 Boulder County Bar Association Newsletter article and presentation to the Boulder County Bar Association on asset protection strategies.