Crista Osualdini

Crista leads the estate, trust, and taxation practice groups at the firm, offering invaluable counsel in estate planning, administration, trusts, and estate litigation. Recognized as one of Canada’s Lexpert® Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40 in 2020, Crista has carved a distinguished career path. She collaborates closely with Alberta’s business elite and their families, devising innovative estate plans and fiercely representing their interests in estate-related disputes.

A focal point of Crista’s practice lies in facilitating the intergenerational transfer of wealth in privately held corporations. She finds fulfillment in crafting enduring estate plans that leave a meaningful legacy. Regularly immersed in transactional work, Crista advises on trust law intricacies and navigates the complexities of trust structures within commercial frameworks. Her expertise extends to guiding executors through the administration process, offering support when estate claims arise.

In litigation, Crista's profound understanding of estate and trust law fuels her effectiveness as a litigator. She employs a diverse range of litigation strategies to secure favorable resolutions, even in the most adversarial scenarios. Noteworthy is her lead counsel role in a protracted and intricate litigation concerning a First Nation’s Trust. Crista's portfolio encompasses various estate litigation matters, including elder abuse, disputes over family farm entitlement, support for dependent family members, trust variation, will validity challenges, and executor negligence claims. She holds a keen interest in cases concerning will validity amid capacity concerns and endeavors to safeguard vulnerable individuals from elder abuse.

Recently admitted to the bar in the Northwest Territories, Crista extends her wealth of knowledge and experience to clients in Northern regions.

Understanding the emotional gravity of estate and trust disputes, Crista approaches each case with a blend of legal prowess and empathy. She recognizes the profound impact such matters can have on her clients and their families. Through attentive listening and compassionate guidance, Crista strives to empower her clients to navigate these challenges and forge ahead positively.

Actively involved in the Edmonton community, Crista serves as co-Provincial General of the Friar’s Ball and has held board positions with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Fringe Theatre Adventures. Additionally, she holds an executive role in the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Estates Section and frequently delivers presentations on Estate and Trust matters.