Photo of Kristin N.G. Dzialo

Kristin N.G. Dzialo

Partner
She/Her/Hers
Boston

LEGAL ASSISTANT

Amber Moniz

Kristin brings a deep sense of purpose and care to every estate plan she creates.

Inspired by her father’s legal career, Kristin knew from a young age that she wanted to follow in his footsteps. After beginning in general practice, she found her true calling in trusts and estates law, where she could have a lasting impact on people’s lives—helping clients articulate their values, preserve their wealth, and leave behind thoughtful legacies for future generations.

Kristin works closely with individuals, married couples, and multi-generational families—often high-net-worth and charitably inclined—on all aspects of estate planning, wealth transfer, and tax strategy. Her practice is rooted in collaboration and education, ensuring that every plan is personalized, understandable, and aligned with the client’s goals. With a strong affinity for numbers and a gift for clear communication, Kristin simplifies even the most sophisticated planning concepts, guiding clients with patience and precision.

She regularly advises clients on unique and emerging asset types, including digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs, as well as more novel considerations such as frozen embryos and stored reproductive material. Her thoughtful approach helps families avoid common estate planning pitfalls, including unnecessary tax burdens, asset disputes, and the unintended dissipation of wealth through divorce, addiction, or poor financial habits.

Known for her meticulous attention to detail and genuine commitment to her clients, Kristin is especially passionate about planning that is both strategic and meaningful. Her background as an adjunct professor at New England Law | Boston reinforces her belief that the best estate plans begin with understanding—and that informed clients are empowered clients.

Kristin holds the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation, a graduate-level credential awarded to experienced professionals who meet stringent requirements for education, experience, and a commitment to multidisciplinary estate planning.

Legal Solutions

Designed a Tax-Efficient Gifting and Philanthropic Strategy for a High-Net-Worth Couple

Advised a married couple in establishing irrevocable gifting trusts that allowed them to transfer wealth to their children during their lifetimes, providing immediate benefit and fostering intergenerational appreciation. Developed a plan to direct the remainder of their estate to a donor-advised fund at their deaths, with their children named as successor advisors. The structure eliminated estate tax exposure while ensuring the couple could witness the impact of their legacy in real time.

Structured a Business Succession Plan that Balanced Family Involvement and Fairness

Represented a business owner in designing an estate plan that ensured ownership of multiple closely held businesses would pass to the children involved in their management, without disproportionately favoring or disadvantaging other children not engaged in the businesses. Created a thoughtful and equitable structure that promoted business continuity and family harmony.

Developed Pre-Liquidity Planning for a Founder with Charitable and Family Goals

Counseled a client holding founders stock in anticipation of a major company sale. Implemented a strategy to transfer appreciating stock to irrevocable trusts for the benefit of children while incorporating charitable planning components. The structure significantly reduced both income and estate tax exposure, preserving tens of millions of dollars in value and aligning with the client’s philanthropic vision.

CREDENTIALS

Education

  • JD, New England Law
  • BA, cum laude, Northeastern University, International Affairs
  • Beijing Foreign Studies University, Study Abroad

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts
AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Experience recognized

  • Best Lawyers in America, Trusts & Estates, 2026
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2023-2025
  • Boston Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts & Estates, 2021-2025
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, Top Women of Law, 2022
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2017-2018
  • Understanding & Using Trusts, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education BasicsPlus!, (September 2025, Speaker)
  • Maximizing Philanthropy for Your Clients in a Shifting Landscape, Cambridge Community Foundation (September 2025, Speaker)
  • Disclaimer v. Credit Shelter Trust Planning: Pliability, Flexibility, and Uncertainty, Social Law Library (April 2025, Speaker)
  • Critical Traps for Unwary Real Estate Practitioners in Using Trust-Related Documents, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (October 2024, Chair)
  • Understanding & Using Trusts: MCLE BasicsPlus!, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (September 2024, Speaker)
  • Digital Assets in Estate Administration, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Probate Practice: MCLE BasicsPlus! (May 2024, Speaker)
  • How to Minimize Estate Taxes Using Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, The Art and Science of Stacking Trusts (February 2024, Speaker)
  • What To Do After The Death Of A Spouse, Forbes (April 2023, Quoted)
  • Digital Assets and Estate Administration, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) (August 2021; May 2022; May 2023, Speaker)
  • Smart Giving, Cambridge Community Foundation (May 2022, Panelist)
  • Planning for Digital Assets, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) / Cardinal & Gray Society and Emma Rogers Society (October 2021, Speaker)
  • Estate Planning and Probate in the Digital World, Boston Estate Planning and Probate Forum (October 2021, Speaker)
  • Crafting Your Legacy: Creative Estate Planning for the Love of Your Community, Just-A-Start (September 2021, Speaker)
  • Special Drafting Considerations for Elderly Clients, Boston Bar Association (February 2021, Speaker)
  • Boston Estate Planning Council
  • USA500 Clubs
  • Professional Advisors Council, Cambridge Community Foundation, Former Co-Chair
  • Massachusetts Notary Public