Kristin PhilipsCounsel

Kristin serves as Counsel in the firm’s Trust & Estates practice, where she advises individuals, families, and fiduciaries on all aspects of estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She firmly believes everyone deserves top-tier estate planning and does so by providing individualized, competent, compassionate, and discrete estate planning services. With a career that bridges both the legal and financial sectors, Kristin brings a uniquely holistic perspective in helping clients build, protect, and transfer their wealth while honoring family values and charitable intentions to create lasting legacies.

Known for her thoughtful approach and clear communication style, Kristin assists clients in making informed decisions with confidence. She is committed to delivering technically sound solutions that are deeply aligned with each client’s personal goals.

Immediately prior to joining Kirkland Hochstetler PLLC, Kristin served as an Investment Advisor Representative at Naples Global Advisors registered with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation and FINRA, an accreditation granted for passing the Series 65 Exam, providing family office level wealth advisory services. Prior to that she served as Director of Trust Administration, at BMO Wealth Management where she worked with high-net-worth clients administering a wide range of trust, delivering advance estate planning strategies, and ensuring compliance with fiduciary standards. By working in the financial sector for over 4 years, Kristin has a practical understanding of trust operations, asset management, and the day-to-day realities clients and fiduciaries face. Before entering into the financial sector, Kristin had a successful 8-year estate planning practice at boutique estate planning and mid-sized full-service firms.

Kristin is a Class V graduate of the Florida Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). Kristin was recognized as a 2022 Rising Star for Estate Planning by Florida Super Lawyers. She obtained her Juris Doctor at Ave Maria School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Missouri.

Kristin is actively engaged in the legal community as President of the Estate Planning Council of Naples, PLLC, Director of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association, and a Member of the Collier County and State of Florida Bar Associations.