M. Denise Kristof - a Pasadena, United States Estate, Trusts & Tax Planning Lawyer

Pasadena Estate, Trusts & Tax Planning Lawyer

Updated: 02/16/2026

Areas of Practice

Estate, Trusts & Tax Planning
Estate/Trust Litigation
Durable Powers of Attorney
Advance Health Care Directives
Trust Administration
Probate of Decedents’ Estates
Will Contests
Conservatorships
Protection from Physical and Financial Elder Abuse

Attorney Information

Overview

The senior partner at Kristof & Kristof, Attorneys at Law, M. Denise Kristof is a trusted leader and has a distinguished record of holding positions of trust. She is a respected member of the Court Appointed Counsel panel, which consists of a handpicked group of attorneys who are relied upon by the Courts.

She is an arbitrator for the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Attorney-Client Mediation and Arbitration Service. She has also worked as a mediator for the Los Angeles County Superior Court Probate Settlement Program. Throughout California, she has been a speaker on trust and estate matters.

Additionally, she has represented the Los Angeles County Bar Association as a Delegate at the State Conference of Delegates. Prior to establishing Kristof & Kristof, Attorneys at Law, she regularly traveled across the country delivering in-depth, scientific presentations.

Ms. Kristof's previous work involved mediating high-value disputes between union members and management. She also had experience in engaging legal counsel for public agencies.

Ms. Kristof possesses qualities of care, compassion, effectiveness and skill. She fulfills roles as a parent, grandparent, sister and daughter, allowing her to understand and connect with others on a deep level. Ms. Kristof adeptly channels these emotions in a suitable manner.

Ms. Kristof is highly educated. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a combination of Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees. Ms. Kristof surpasses many attorneys by completing more continuing legal education units in one year than they do in three. In addition to her Juris Doctor, she has also achieved her LLM, an advanced postgraduate degree, in estate planning and elder law.

Education

Legal Education
- Western New England University School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts
  L.L.M. in Estate Planning And Elder Law
- Western New England University School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts
  Juris Doctorate
Non Legal Education
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
  Bachelor of Science
  Major: Foods and Nutrition
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California
  Master of Science
  Major: Foods and Nutrition with Special Emphasis in Business Management

Current Employment Position(s)

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Founding Partner
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Pro Bono Activities

Los Angeles County Superior Court - Pro Bono Probate Settlement Program, Mediator
Betty Ferguson Foundation - Board of Directors, Former Board Member
Pasadena City College Foundation - Board of Directors, Former Board Member
Arbitrator, Attorney-Client Mediation And Arbitration Services, Los Angeles County Bar Assn, 2012 - Present

Bar Admissions

California State Courts and Courts of Appeal
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Other Affiliations

State Bar of California Trusts and Estates Section (Member)
State Bar of California Law Practice Management and Technology Section (Member)
Los Angeles County Bar Association Attorney-Client Mediation And Arbitration Services (Arbitrator)
Center for Civic Mediation (Mediator)
California State Bar Conference of Delegates (Delegate from Los Angeles County Bar Association)
Los Angeles County Superior Court (Probate Volunteer Panel)

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Contact

Pasadena, CA

1122 East Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91106

Directions

Phone: 626-535-9445

Fax: 626-535-9660

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.kristoflaw.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Free Consultations

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M. Denise Kristof - Pasadena, CA