CHRISTIE MCDONNELL, ESQ.
McDonnell & Associates, P.A.
2442 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
(803)828-0443
Get to Know Me
Hi, I'm Christie - a mom, sister, attorney, and passionate advocate for everyday families. I believe estate planning should be personal, practical, and built around real life.
As a mom and one of five siblings, I understand how personal these decisions are. But it was losing my father the morning after welcoming my second son that forever changed my perspective on family, life, and the way I practice law.
Today, I help families create thoughtful, customized estate plans with compassion, clarity, and the kind of personal guidance I'd want for my own family.
Estate Planning for Real Life
It's about more than what you'll leave behind.
It's about protecting the people you love, making your wishes known, and giving your family clarity when they need it most.
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy or those nearing retirement. It's for real people, real families, and all the unexpected moments life brings.
Thoughful Planning for Every Chapter
Hi, I’m Christie - a mom, sister, attorney, and passionate advocate for everyday families and individuals. I help people create practical, personalized estate plans that protect what matters most—whether that’s children, aging parents, special needs beneficiaries, or simply your own peace of mind.
As a mom and one of five siblings, I understand how personal and emotional these decisions can be. I also know that life can change in an instant.
I was just days away from welcoming my second son into the world when I got the call that my father was in the hospital with Covid. The next morning, at 9:05, while I was still holding my newborn, my father was gone. The stark contrast of life and loss forever changed how I practice law.
I reimagined estate planning around the values I live by every day — honesty, compassion, dependability, and follow-through. My goal is to create protective, customized plans that bring peace of mind to real families, not just the wealthy. I work personally with every client, like a sister or daughter in your corner, guiding you with both expertise and care.
Welcome!
Never Give Your Children an Outright Inheritance. Learn why...
In our free guide, "5 Reasons to Never Give Your Children an Outright Inheritance, Why You Don’t Want Your Inheritance Outright, and What to Do Instead" we help you understand the risks of outright distributions and explore more protective planning options.
Peace of Mind Planning
Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy or those nearing retirement. It's for anyone who wants to protect the people they love, stay in control of their future, and make sure their wishes are honored—no matter what life brings.
It's not just about having a Will. It's about having a voice. It's about making important decisions for yourself and your family, rather than leaving those decisions to the state or a court.
My goal is to take the confusion out of estate planning through education, thoughtful guidance, and a personal approach. Together, we'll create a plan that protects what matters most and gives you confidence and peace of mind for the future.
Wills & Living Trusts
A customized plan to protect what matters most and provide for the people you love.
Children & Guardianship
Name trusted guardians to care for your children, including short-term protection in an emergency.
Inheritance Protections
Thoughtful strategies to help protect what you've worked for and preserve your legacy for future generations.
Special Needs Trusts
Protect your loved one's future while helping preserve important benefits and long-term care options.
A FEW THINGS WORTH KNOWING
Did You Know?
01.
Your spouse may only inherit half.
In South Carolina, if you die without a will and leave a spouse and children, your spouse generally receives just 50% of your probate estate. Your children share the other half.
02.
A will doesn't avoid probate.
A will tells the court what you want. It doesn't eliminate the court process - and probate filings are generally public records.
03.
Your children could inherit everything at 18.
Without protective planning, an inheritance may pass directly to your children once they reach adulthood, whether they're ready or not.
Meet Lindsay,
my right hand...
As Christie's right hand and the firm's resident Swiss Army knife, I help make the estate planning process feel personal, organized, and a lot less overwhelming.
I'm often the first person you'll meet, starting with your 15-minute discovery call. While Christie leads the legal planning, I'm here throughout the journey - answering questions, keeping things moving, and making sure you feel informed, supported, and confident every step of the way.
Based in Charleston, I also meet with many of our Lowcountry clients in person for their signing ceremonies, with Christie joining virtually.
Outside of work, I’m a sports fanatic who loves playing pool, cheering on the Dallas Mavericks, sipping wine on my porch or at the pool, and spending time with my favorite teammate - my niece.
Go Cowboys 😉
Lindsay J. Pitcher
Director of Operations & Client Experience
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Full Name
Job Title
Meet Lindsay, my right hand..
What our
clients say...
Christie is a pleasure to work with. She answered all my questions & shared a lot of helpful information. I feel much better knowing my estate planning is complete.
Melanie D.
We're very pleased with the services Christie provided for our family. She was not only very professional, but compassionate as well. I highly recommend her.
David J.
Christie is a genuinely caring person! She is also knowledgeable and trustworthy!! I highly recommend! She has always taken excellent care of me and my clients!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Highly recommend Christie McDonnell!
Kimberly M.
An attorney created a Trust for me 10 yrs ago but my daughter told me I needed a new one when I moved to SC and introduced me to Christie. My experience was so different this time. I had no idea all that I hadn't yet considered, but Christie explained a lot I didn't understand and helped me make decisions that normally would cause me stress. Highly recommend Christie McDonnell!
Barb P.
I read a poll that ranked attorneys just above used car salesmen in terms of public trust. But if those same people had the chance to work with Christie, I’m confident they’d view attorneys as one of the most trusted professionals. Christie approaches clients with exceptional care and diligence. Her attention to detail is unmatched, and you never feel like just another case. She genuinely cares and it’s clear that your best interests are her top priority. She is a rare find in this industry.
Tara M.
Christie McDonnell is an outstanding attorney. She is dedicated to her clients and her business and works tirelessly to provide the best legal services to everyone she works with. I highly recommend her practice.
Sarah L.
Christie is the best of the best in estate planning. Extremely personable, professional and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend her.
Sarah W.
Christie did an absolutely outstanding thorough review and execution of my wife's and my trust/estate documents giving us great piece of mind.
David R.
Personalized plans.
No templates.
Living Trusts
Trusts help you care for your family and manage your assets now and in the future. They help avoid probate, eases stress on loved ones and maintains privacy. Its your wishes to protect what matters most.
Kids CARE Plans
Protecting your children is your most important job. We help you create a plan that names trusted guardians, outlines your wishes, and gives peace of mind knowing your children will be cared for exactly as you intend.
Special needs planning
We help families protect loved ones with disabilities by preserving public benefits and creating long-term care plans, so you can have peace of mind, even when you’re no longer able to be there in person.
Health care planning
Advance Health Care Directives allow you to spell out your medical preferences and name someone you trust to make decisions if you can’t. It’s a powerful way to care for yourself and ease burden on loved ones.
Asset planning & protection
You’ve worked hard for what you have, let’s keep it safe. We help you safeguard your wealth from creditors, lawsuits, and life’s unexpected turns, and ensure it’s preserved for the people and causes you care about most.
Business succession planning
Planning ahead means your business won’t miss a beat. We’ll help you include your business in your estate plan so it’s protected, passed on smoothly, and run the way you want, even if you’re no longer there.
Asset protection
Don't want your children to potentially inherit outright at 18.
We help you plan for and protect what you have worked so hard to build. We design trusts where you decide when and on what terms your beneficiaries inherit.
Unique planning
Some items need extra consideration. Whether you're safeguarding firearms in compliance with law or ensuring your pets are cared for after you're gone, we make sure every detail is properly planned for.
Kids CARE Plan:
Custody
Access
Representation
Emergency planning
Naming godparents or having a will is simply not enough to keep the courts from deciding who cares for your children.
Our Kids CARE Plan gives parents the foundational legal protection every family needs. It ensures your children are cared for by the people you choose—not left to chance—if you become incapacitated or pass away unexpectedly.
With this plan, you’ll have peace of mind knowing:
Guardianship is clear – Legal instructions for both short-term and long-term guardians, so your kids are never left in limbo.
Caregivers have guidance – Trusted caregivers know exactly what to do in an emergency.
Your wishes are clear – From daily routines to values, your parenting instructions are documented so your children are raised the way you want.
The Kids CARE Plan answers the questions every parent worries about: Who decides? Who steps in? What happens next?
The Trust Plan:
No loose ends. No surprises.
A Living Trust is about more than documents — it’s about making sure your loved ones are cared for and your wishes are carried out without confusion.
When you create a trust, you’re putting a plan in place that keeps everything organized and clear. Your loved ones will have guidance and direction, knowing exactly how to handle the things that matter most.
Protection without overwhelm – Your family won’t be left guessing about your wishes, facing surprises, or dealing with unnecessary stress.
Avoids probate – Assets in a living trust generally pass directly to your chosen beneficiaries without going through the public probate process.
A living trust offers privacy, protection, and peace of mind. It ensures that what you’ve worked for goes exactly where you want it to, and that the people you love are supported every step of the way.
As Christie’s right hand and the firm’s Swiss Army knife, I help our clients feel informed, supported, and confident from start to finish. I’m usually the first point of contact for new planning clients, leading their 15-minute discovery call to learn about their family, goals, and what brought them to estate planning. While Christie leads from there, I stay connected throughout the process - guiding clients through next steps, gathering details, and making sure their goals are clearly reflected as the plan comes together. I’m based in Charleston, where I meet with many of our Lowcountry clients for their document signings. Christie joins virtually during those appointments to walk clients through each part of their plan.
Outside of work, I’m a sports fanatic who loves playing pool, cheering on the Dallas Mavericks, sipping wine on my porch, and spending time with my favorite teammate - my niece.
Go Cowboys 😉
Lindsay J. Pitcher
Director of Operations & Client Experience
Lindsay J. Pitcher
The Latest...
The latest from us...
Benefits of estate planning:
01.
Provide for a spouse, child, or grandchild.
02.
Name guardians for minor children.
03.
Special planning for blended families.
04.
Reduce administration costs at death.
05.
Avoid probate.
06.
Plan for transfer of family business.
07.
Disinherit a family member.
08.
Reduce administrative costs at death.
09.
Protect against greedy or angry family member
10.
Keep your business generating income if you become incapacitated
I know,I know. But...
We're honored! Christie McDonnell named Best Estate Planning Attorney by Free Times Readers - Best of Columbia 2026
