Estate and Trust Administration
cscopin@pasternakfidis.com
T 301.656.8850 Ext. 484
F 301.656.3053
7101 Wisconsin Avenue
Suite 1025
Bethesda, MD 20814
Education
B.A., University of Mary Washington
J.D., The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
Bar Admissions
Maryland
District of Columbia
Virginia
Christina is an associate in the firm’s Estate Planning and Administration Group. She advises clients in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia on their estate and tax planning needs, as well as estate and trust administration matters. In her practice, Christina prides herself on attention to detail and clear, thoughtful communication with her clients in creating a well-crafted and forward facing estate plan. She also understands the need for both empathy and efficiency when working with clients to navigate the estate administration process following the loss of a loved one.
Christina graduated summa cum laude from the University of Mary Washington, where she earned a B.A. in Philosophy. She received her J.D., magna cum laude, from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. Before joining Pasternak & Fidis in 2015, Christina was in private practice in Northern Virginia.
Growing up in a military family, Christina has lived throughout the United States (from San Diego, California to Quantico, Virginia) and in Okinawa, Japan, but now calls Darnestown, Maryland home. Christina enjoys traveling, cooking, working on her home, and spending time with her husband and son.
Often, when meeting with a client to discuss their estate planning, one of the first questions is, “How can I avoid probate?” Probate can be a source of anxiety for clients who want to avoid imposing on their loved ones what they envision as a long list of cumbersome tasks after their death.
Probate is the process by which a decedent’s will is carried out and, depending on the nature of the assets involved, requires varying levels of court involvement. Typically, probate assets are those assets a decedent owned in his or her sole name that do not go to a designated beneficiary. The probate court appoints the personal representative of the decedent’s estate, and monitors payment of the decedent’s debts, compliance with mandatory notification… MORE >
