Karissa B. Amendt

Karissa B. Amendt joined BCK in June 2009. She began in the position of Receptionist/Administrative Assistant and was promoted to the role of Paralegal in the Estate and Trust Administration Department of the firm in July 2012.

Karissa is involved with the estate and trust administration process from start to finish, engaging in a wide variety of tasks ranging from meeting with clients post-death along with an attorney to discuss the course of the administration; fact gathering concerning the decedent’s assets; and, preparing all necessary paperwork to comply with statutory requirements for trust administrations and probate documentation, if necessary. Karissa’s involvement continues in compiling schedules of assets, preparing plans of division of assets, and preparing inventories and appraisements for probate estates. In taxable estates, Karissa collects and prepares valuations of marketable securities and engages in the initial drafting and editing of the estate tax return (Form 706) and all related forms and documents. Karissa also works with the attorneys on drafting and completing gift tax returns (Forms 709) for the firm.  Further, Karissa facilitates communication between accountants and the attorney’s office regarding fiduciary income tax issues. Karissa remains involved through the conclusion of administration, including the implementation of a plan of division and preparation of documents for funding of subtrusts and completing distributions to beneficiaries, and the closure of probate estates as necessary.

Karissa graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a minor in Political Science. Karissa earned her Certificate of Completion in Paralegal Studies from Phoenix College (an American Bar Association-approved program) in August 2015. Karissa also earned her Certified Paralegal credential through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) in November 2015.  Karissa lives in Scottsdale and enjoys consuming true crime stories, news and politics, and spending time with her dogs in her free time.