Kristy J. Garside
Partner
I live in Tiverton, Rhode Island with my husband Christopher and our two sons. I practice all areas of family law and estate planning, and I have done so since beginning my legal career working for Attorney Howe in 2004. My niche in Family Law is my knowledge with regard to pension and retirement plans and I am often hired by other firms to complete the Orders required for division of these assets. With an office in Newport near the Newport Naval Base and working with pensions, I have acquired information regarding civil service and military benefits, as well as rules and regulations that help me to represent military members and civilian employees going through a divorce. In addition to my family law practice, I draft Wills, Trusts (Revocable, Irrevocable and Special Needs) and plan estates, attend probate court, represent Guardians and address other elder law issues such as Medicaid planning, and long-term care planning. Within my practice, we also provide information and referrals for elder services.
Your goals are my goals.
Professional Information
Rhode Island Bar, admitted November 2004
Massachusetts Bar, admitted December 2004, inactive
“Division of Retirement Assets in Divorce,” RI Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2023
“Military Divorces and Ancillary Issues,” RI Bar Association, October 2020
Education
J.D., Roger Williams University School of Law, 2004
B.S., University of Massachusetts (Amherst), 2001
Major: Sport Management, Minor: Sociology, 2001
Certificate, University of Massachusetts, Criminal Justice, 2001
Employment
Law Offices of Howe & Garside, Ltd.
55 Memorial Blvd. Ste. 5 Newport, Rhode Island 02840
640 George Washington Highway, Bldg. B, Suite #103, Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865
Partner 2016 – present
Attorney 11/04 – present
Awards
Super Lawyer in Family Law 2019-2023
Super Lawyer in Family Law, 2021
2019 Professional Excellence Award from Rhode Island Monthly
2016 American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best in Client Satisfaction
Rhode Island Bar Association’s 2013 Pro Bono Publico Award Professional Information
Rhode Island Bar, admitted November 2004
Massachusetts Bar, admitted December 2004, inactive
“Division of Retirement Assets in Divorce,” RI Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2023
“Military Divorces and Ancillary Issues,” RI Bar Association, October 2020
Memberships
Rhode Island Bar Association: 11/04 – present
Volunteer Lawyer Program: 11/04 – present
Family Court Bench Bar Committee: 09/07 – present
Edward Gallogly Family Law Inn of Court (Rhode Island): 09/07 – present
Community Advocacy & Resources for Elders (CARE): 1/07 – present
Rhode Island Child Support Guideline Review Task Force 2007
Publications
“Dividing Military Pension in Divorce" RI Bar Assoc,. June 2023
“Negotiating Domestic Relations Orders” (Military Section) Co-author, RI Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2012
“Special Issues in Military Divorce” Co-author, Advanced Family Law, National Business Institute, May 2010
“QDRO Practice in Rhode Island from A-Z” Co-author, RI Bar Assoc., Oct. 2009
“A Practical Guide to Divorce in Rhode Island” Co-author, Retirement Assets, 1st edition 2009, MCLE New England
- 2nd Edition 2019, Supplement 2021 and Supplement 2023“QDROs: From A-Z, Food for Thought re: Avoiding Malpractice” RI Bar Assoc., Nov. 2008
Presentations
Family Law, Pension and Retirement
“Child Support Guideline Update and Review” Edward Gallogly Family Law Inn of Court, February 2024
“Division of Retirement Assets in Divorce,” RI Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2023
“Military Divorces and Ancillary Issues,” RI Bar Association, October 2020
“Divorce and Family Trusts,” Edward Gallogly Family Law Inn of Court, February 2020
“Retirement Assets in Divorce” Rhode Island Mediators Association, November 2014
“Advanced Family Law,” Retirement Assets, National Business Institute, September 2014
“When Your Older Clients Divorce,” Rhode Island Bar Association, May 2013
“Negotiating Military Retirement Orders,” Rhode Island Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 2012
“Special Issues in Military Divorce” Advanced Family Law, National Business Institute, 2010
“Military Family Law Issues, Health Care and Retirement Benefits” Inn of Court, 2010
“QDRO Practice in Rhode Island from A-Z” Co-author, RI Bar Assoc., Oct. 2009
“QDROs: From A-Z, Food for Thought re: Avoiding Malpractice” RI Bar Assoc., 2008
“QDROs and Their Pitfalls” Edward P. Gallogly American Family Law Inn of Court, 2008
Elder Law
“Medicaid Planning,” CARE, January 2022
“Legal and Financial Concerns for Individuals with Alzheimer’s” Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island, Atria Aquidneck Place February 2013, and Blenheim Newport 2012
“Growing Older. How Can I Pay for Healthcare and the Services that I Need?” Blenheim Newport March 2013 and Sakonnett Bay Manor 2012
“Don’t Wait to Plan Your Estate” CARE, 2010
“ElderlawHousecallsRI.com” SeniorRULE Red Hat Tea, Atria Aquidneck Place, 2010
“Estate Planning and Long Term Care” RI Deaf Senior Citizens Conference, 2010
“ Long Term Care and Estate Planning” Little Compton Library, 2010
“Health Care Durable Power of Attorney Clinic” RI Bar Association, Newport, 2009
“Medicaid Planning,” CARE, January 2022