Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate Attorney in Plano, TX
Selected to Rising Stars: 2016 - 2020
- Virtual Appointments
The founder of Krupa Downs Law, PLLC, Christene (Chris) Krupa Downs focuses her practice exclusively on estate planning and administration. Located in Plano, Texas, she provides advice and counsel to clients in Collin and Denton counties and other parts of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Ms. Downs majored in government and politics at The University of Texas at Dallas and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. After working for several years in private industry, she enrolled at what was then known as the Texas Wesleyan School of Law. While she was there, Ms. Downs represented indigent clients as an intern at the school’s law clinic, and she also was a student trainee with the Employee Benefits Security Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Labor. After obtaining her Juris Doctor in 2010, she entered private practice, and since that time, she has concentrated on estate planning and probate matters. Ms. Downs has been admitted to practice before all Texas state courts since 2010.
Ms. Downs has extensive experience in the preparation and review of wills, several types of living and irrevocable trusts, medical and financial powers of attorney, and advance medical directives, tailoring each document to the objectives and circumstances of every individual client. Ms. Downs also guides heirs and beneficiaries through what can often be a confusing process of probate. In addition, she has helped people appoint guardians for loved ones who have become incapacitated.
Ms. Downs is frequently asked to deliver presentations on topics related to her practice areas, and her colleagues have awarded her a 10.0 “Superb” peer review rating through Avvo in recognition of the high quality of her work. She is active in several professional and civic organizations.
- 100%Estate Planning & Probate
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2022
- Rising Stars: 2016 - 2020
Additional Sources of Information About Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs
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About Christene “Chris” Krupa Downs
First Admitted: 2010, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskdowns
Pro bono/Community Service
- Wellness Center for Older Adults, Board of Directors
- Collin County Historical Commission, 2017 - 2019
- Community Foundation of Texas’s Advisory Council, 2019 – Present
- My Possibilities, A Special Evening, Event Co-Chair, 2020
- The Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center – Legacy Chapter
- City of Plano Cultural Affairs Commission, Feb. 2018 - present; Vice-Chair
- City of Plano Complete Count Census Committee, 2019-2020, Vice Chair
- Junior League of Collin County, Public Affairs Representative, 2018-2020
- North Texas Pioneer Rotary Club, Treasurer, 2012 – 2014
- Board of City House, Treasurer
- Star Children’s Charity, Logistics Coordinator “An Evening with Dennis Miller”, November 2012
- Junior League of Collin County, Ways & Means Council, Grants & Awards Chair, 2013 – 2014
- North Texas Pioneer Rotary Club, Feb. 2011 – Present
- City House Board of Directors, Jan. 2001 – July 2007
- Star Children’s Charity, Executive Summit Committee, May 2012
- Junior League of Collin County, Treasurer-Elect & Director of Governance & Bylaws, 2014 – 2015
- Junior League of Collin County, Aug. 2011 – Present
- Junior League of Collin County, Executive Vice President 2017-2018
- Live From Collin County Board of Directors, Sept. 2006 – May 2012
- This Side Up Family Center Board of Directors, Jan. 2013 – April 2015
- Junior League of Collin County, Treasurer, 2015 – 2016
- Junior League of Collin County, Ways & Means Council Assistant II, Donor Management, 2012 – 2013
- Leadership Plano Class 22, Sept. 2004 – May 2005
Scholarly Lectures/Writings
- Author & Presenter, “Probate Procedures and Forms of Administration, and Whey They Are Used,” National Business Institute, Estate Administration Bootcamp, May 2019
- Author & Presenter, “Practice and Client Management Software,” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Law Practice Management, June 2016.
- Presenter, “60 Apps in 60 Minutes,” State Bar of Texas Computer & Technology Section, Disaster Proofing Your Practice, December 2018.
- Presented CLE to immigration attorneys on the basics of estate planning., Presenter, Basics of Estate Planning, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Dallas Chapter, Immigration, 2020
- Author & Presenter, “Handling Distributions,” National Business Institute, Estate Administration Bootcamp, May 2019.
- Presenter, “Estate Planning 101” and “Guardianship & Alternatives,” Weeks Law Firm, various dates.
- Virtual presentation about guardianship & alternatives to parents of Wylie ISD, Presenter, Guardianship & Alternatives, Wylie ISD, 2020
- Presented on panel at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Presenter, 60 Apps and Tech Tips in 60 Minutes, 2020
- Discussed probate procedures and forms of probate to other attorneys, CPAs and financial advisors at the National Business Institute's Estate Administration Bootcamp., Author & Presenter, Probate Procedures and Forms of Administration, NBI, Estate Administration Bootcamp, Legal, Financial, CPAs, 2019
- Presented a webinar to Texas paralegals about forms of probate administration., Presenter, Probate Procedures and Forms of Administration, State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division, 2019
- Presented to parents of students in the Transition program about guardianship., Presenter, Guardianship & Alternatives, Plano Independent School District, 2019
- Annual CLE program of the Computer & Technology Section., Co-Presenter, 60 Apps and Tech Tips in 60 Minutes, State Bar of Texas Computer & Technology Section, Your Duty of Technical Competence Seminar, December 2019., 2019
- Accessible Law, UNT Dallas College of Law, Fall 2019 Issue, https://accessiblelaw.untdallas.edu/probate-and-special-needs., Co-Presenter, Probate and Special Needs, 2019
- Co-Author & Presenter, “Case Management Software – Solo Conflicts, Checks, and Record-Retention,” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, June 2014
- Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar
- Co-Presenter, "Law Practice Management in the 21st Century," Collin County Bar Association's "Making Your Practice Work!" Law Practice Management Seminar, January 2014
- Co-Presenter, “What’s Up in Office Technology: How to Avoid Malpractice While Using It,” Collin County Bar Association’s “Making Your Practice Work” Law Practice Management Seminar, January 2013
- Author & Presenter, “Practical Tips for Organizing the Tech-Savvy Law Office: A Practitioner’s Point of View,” Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar, October 5, 2012
- Author & Presenter, “Office Technology: Practical Tips for Organizing the Small, Tech-Savvy Law Office from a Solo Practitioner’s Point of View,” Collin County Bar Association’s “Making Your Practice Work” Law Practice Management Seminar, January 2012
- Co-Author & Presenter, "Practical Tips for Organizing the Small, Tech-Savvy Law Office: A Practitioner's Point of View," Dallas Bar Association, Solo & Small Firm Section, October 2011
Honors/Awards
- Top 16% of class, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
- , Super Lawyers, Texas Super Lawyers, 2020
- Super Lawyers’ Rising Star in Texas, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Texas Wesleyan Public Law Fellowship Board, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, President, 2009 – 2010
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law
- Dean’s List, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 2008 - 2010
- Texas Wesleyan Public Law Fellowship Board, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, Secretary/Treasurer, 2008 – 2009
Educational Background
- University of Texas at Dallas, B.A., Government and Politics, Cum Laude
Bar/Professional Activity
- Collin County Bar Association Board of Directors, 2021
- State Bar of Texas Computer & Technology Section, Section Council Member, 2018 - 2021
- Texas Guardianship Association
- Dallas Bar Association's Probate, Trusts & Estates Section Planning Committee Member, 2020
- Texas Bar Foundation, Member, 2020
- Dallas Bar Foundation, Member
- Estate Planning Council of North Texas
- Collin County Bar Association, Board of Estate Planning and Probate Section, 2012 – present
- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
- State Bar of Texas’s Computer & Technology Section’s board, 2018
- Dallas Bar Association, Committee Chair, Lawyer Referral Committee, 2015
- American Bar Association
- Collin County Bar Association, Estate Planning and Probate Section Section President June 2020 - May 2021
- Dallas Bar Association, Committee Vice-Chair, Lawyer Referral Committee, 2013 & 2014
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association, Pro Bono Activities Committee, 2014 – present
- Collin County Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section, 2014 Making Your Practice Work! Seminar Chair
- The College of the State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association, Lawyer Referral Committee, 2012 – present
Last Updated: 3/11/2022