As a former teacher, I do enjoy those ah-ha moments where things click. I enjoy talking with clients and getting to know them and their situation, so that I can find the best possible solutions for their needs. I believe that effective estate planning is a critical component of my client’s life planning.
I believe that family fights over inheritance are unnecessary and wasteful. Families achieve better outcomes through planning rather than fighting. While it is impossible to prevent people from fighting, I discuss with my clients issues that may exist and try to implement solutions now to problems that may later turn into litigation.
As an estate planning attorney, I strive to help you plan for the unknown catastrophes, the known eventualities, and everything in between. By planning, you can gain peace of mind that your loved ones are taken care of in the best way if something should happen to you. As part of the process, I listen to my clients to understand their goals and needs. Using this information, we create solutions to their unique problems. I use many different estate planning tools, like trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, to create client-centered solutions.
I communicate clearly and without legalese, so clients are empowered to make the best decisions for their situations. Together, we can work to make sure that we not only create a plan that incorporates the clients goal’s but that we implement the plan, so when your estate plan is executed it is successful.
To stay up-to-date with the latest developments I am a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and a member of WealthCounsel. WealthCounsel is a national community of estate planning professionals committed to the highest standards. It is a collaborative organization that has seminars and webinars to provide me with the latest tools and ideas.
I received my undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University in 2003 and my JD from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2009. I have been licensed to practice law in Michigan since 2009. I am licensed to practice in both the Western and Eastern Federal District Courts as well as the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that covers Michigan Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
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Mr. Dafoe was born in Saginaw County and graduated from Frankenmuth High School in 1997. He attended Western Michigan University where, in 2002, he received a Bachelor of Arts in history and education. Following graduation, he taught government, economics and history at River Valley High School in Three Oaks, Michigan. While teaching he began attending The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and graduated Cum Laude in 2009.
At Cooley, Mr. Dafoe was named top oralist in the Melissa Mitchell Criminal Procedure Competition and received the book award in Constitutional Law I. Mr. Dafoe has interned at two firms, in Saginaw and Kalamazoo, working in the areas of municipal law, labor and employment law, and civil rights.
Mr. Dafoe focuses his practice on estate planning, probate, trust litigation, real estate, business representation and general civil litigation.
