Vivian M. Karian

Vivian M. Karian is an associate in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group at Pierce Atwood in Providence, Rhode Island. She advises individuals on wills, revocable living trusts, and documents that provide decision-making authority during incapacity. Her work also includes irrevocable life insurance trusts and personal residence trusts. She helps clients plan for asset transfers, family needs, and the administration of estates after a death.

Vivian earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law. During her legal studies, she received CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Wills and Trusts, Contract Drafting, and Transactional Lawyering. Her training in estate documents and legal drafting supports her work preparing trusts, powers of attorney, and probate-related filings. She also completed the New England Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel in 2026.

Vivian represents clients in guardianship proceedings and handles estate administration throughout the probate process. She prepares estate tax returns for both taxable and nontaxable estates and assists with planning documents that address financial and medical decisions. Her practice requires attention to the different roles of beneficiaries, personal representatives, and individuals acting under powers of attorney. She helps clients organize the legal steps needed to carry out their planning decisions.

Vivian M. Karian has been selected to Rhode Island Super Lawyers Rising Stars for estate and probate since 2024 and recognized by Rhode Island Monthly for professional excellence in wills, trusts, and estates since 2023. She participates in the Rhode Island Bar Association Probate and Trust Committee and the Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island. Her work connects thoughtful advance planning with practical guidance during estate and guardianship proceedings.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Pierce Atwood LLP
• Member, Connecticut Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, Rhode Island Bar Association
• Member, Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association
• Member, Rhode Island Bar Association Probate and Trust Committee
• Member, New England Fellows Institute of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
• Member, Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island (EPCRI)

Licensed State

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island

Education

• Roger Williams University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) (Magna Cum Laude)
• Quinnipiac University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science

Awards & Badges