First Admitted: 1997, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://riddlebutts.com/attorneys/christine-butts/

Bar / Professional Activity:

Drafted the Chapter on 1301 Court Created Trusts for the Guardianship Manual on behalf of the State Bar of Texas, 2022
Master of the Bench, Texas Probate Law American Inn of Court, 2021
Immediate Past President of the National College of Probate Judges, Williamsburg, Virginia
Drafted the Mental Health Chapter of the Guardianship Manual for the State Bar of Texas, 2020
Course Director for Advanced Guardianship and Elder Law Course; September 2-3, 2020, 2020
President-Elect, National College of Probate Judges, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2019
Planning Committee for State Bar of Texas 20th Annual Guardianship Law and Elder Law Course, April 5th, 2019, Houston, Texas., 2019
Secretary/Treasurer National College of Probate Judges, Williamsburg, Virginia, 2018
Planning Committee for the State Bar of Texas 12th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course, November 30, 2017, San Antonio, Texas., 2017
Houston Bar Association's Speakers Bureau, 2009

Special Licenses / Certifications:

Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2003), 2003
Guardianship Certificate, 2019

Pro bono / Community Service:

MS 150 Rider, 2014
MS 150 Rider, 2012
Advisory Board Member of Houston Achievement Place, 2010
Board Member of Planned Giving Council of Houston, 2009
Active Member of the Junior League of Houston as a seamstress for the VIEW, 2006

Honors:

4 1/2 Star Rating and Endorsement from the Houston Chronicle
2017 Houston Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Qualification Poll
2015 Houston Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire Results
2013 Houston Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Questionnaire Results
Endorsed as Judge of Harris County Probate Court 4, Houston Chronicle, 2018
Endorsed for Judge of Harris County Probate Court 4, Houston Chronicle, 2014
Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine, Super Lawyer Edition, 2011
AV Rated 5.0 Preeminent Martindale Hubble, Martindale Hubble, 2010
Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine, Super Lawyer Edition, 2010
Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine, Super Lawyer Edition, 2009
Houston's Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine, 2009
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2009
Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine, Super Lawyer Edition, 2008
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2008
Houston's Top Lawyers, H Texas Magazine, 2008
Top Lawyer, H Texas Magazine, 2007
Houston's Top Lawyers for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2007
Top Lawyer for the People, H Texas Magazine, 2006

Educational Background:

University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1993
Served as the Elected Judge of Harris County Probate Court 4 from 2011-2018, 2011

Scholarly Lectures / Writings:

Choosing a Business Entity in Texas with an Eye Toward Succession Planning, Presented to the Attorneys in Tax and Probate, May 4, 2004
Moderated panel of three attorneys who specialize in elder law and discussed what they wish estate planners knew with regard to elder law., Moderator, Ask the Experts: Elder Law Panel, State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course, Legal, 2022
Discussed the 1301 Court Created Trust and how the terms of such trust may be adapted in many ways to address unique needs of beneficiary., Presenter, Customizing 1301 Trusts—The Next Big Thing, State Bar of Texas 20th Annual Guardianship Law and Elder Law Course, Legal, 2019
Discussed the rights of children with respect to heirship, guardianship, planned gifts, and testamentary bequests, as such rights vary from state to state in the United States., Presenter, The Kids are Alright—Navigating Between the Hard-Knock Life and Easy Street When Passing Assets to Children, Summer Conference of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Chicago, Illinois, Legal, 2018
Discussed various thoughts and opinions about the proper practice of probate in Texas., Presenter, Probate Matters: A View from Both Sides of the Bench, State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, Legal, 2018
Discussed various tips and traps with regard to practicing in probate in Texas., Presenter, Tips from Judges to Elder and Guardianship Attorneys Errors Seen in the Courtroom and Beyond, State Bar of Texas 19th Annual Guardianship Law and Elder Law Course, Legal, 2018
Discussed when to file a declaratory judgment action., Presenter, When is a Declaratory Judgment Proper, State Bar of Texas 12th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course, Legal, 2017
Discussed the drafting of various probate and guardianship pleadings., Presenter, Drafting Common and Uncommon Pleadings, State Bar of Texas 28th Annual Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, Legal, 2017
Discussed the role of the attorney ad litem in probate and guardianship matters., Presenter, The Runaway ad Litem, State Bar of Texas Advanced Guardianship and Elder Law Course, Legal, 2017
Discussed attorney fee standards and applications for attorney fees., Presenter, Attorney and Appointee Fees, Houston Bar Association’s 2012 Wills and Probate Institute, Legal, 2012
Discussed important considerations when representing clients facing civil mental health commitment. , Presenter, Representing Clients Facing Mental Health Commitment, Disability and Elder Law Attorney’s Association, Legal, 2012
Discussed the importance of dovetailing beneficiary designations with estate planning documents and various options regarding beneficiary designations., Presenter, Beneficiary Designations: Has Your World Changed in the Past Five Years?, 24th Annual Wills and Probate Institute, South Texas College of Law, Legal, 2009
Discussed administering intestate estates in Texas., Presenter, Intestacy and Closing the Estate, National Business Institute, Legal, 2008
Discussed the benefits of revocable trusts in the context of estate planning., Presenter, Using Revocable Trusts as Estate Planning Tools, Lorman Education Services, Legal, 2008
Discussed formation of tax exempt organizations, obtaining tax-exempt status, and maintaining compliant., Presenter, Tax Exempt Organizations in Texas, Lorman Education Services, Legal, 2007
Discussed use of Family Limited Partnerships in business succession planning and with asset protection strategies., Presenter, The Future of Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning, American Women's Society of CPAs, Accounting, 2006
Discussed each business entity type in Texas and contrasted each type with respect to asset protection qualities, functionality, and tax attributes., Author, Choice of Business Entity in Texas, Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, Volume 4, 2004, Legal, 2004
Discussed each business entity type in Texas and contrasted each type with respect to asset protection qualities, functionality, and tax attributes., Presenter, Choice of Business Entity in Texas, 2003 Accounting Expo Sponsored by the TSCPA Foundation, April 22, 2003, Accounting Industry, 2003

Other Outstanding Achievements:

Served as observer on behalf of the National College of Probate Judges with respect to the Uniform Law Commission's drafting of The Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act , 2018
Served as the Elected Judge of Harris County Probate Court No. 4 from 2011 through 2018 (two terms), 2011

Firm News (Newsletters):

Handbook for fiduciaries seeking to administer estates in Texas., Fiduciary Handbook for Estates, Legal And Public
Handbook for business owners and those wishing to start a business in Texas., Business Entities and Succession Planning, Legal And Public
Handbook for persons seeking to serve as a guardian in Texas., Fiduciary Handbook for Guardians, Legal And Public
Handbook for persons seeking to prepare an estate plan in Texas., Estate Planning Handbook, Legal And Public

Christine Butts