Our Learning Center

Free Resources for you to learn about estate and dynasty planning

The Proactive Law Podcast

Being proactive in your legal and estate affairs saves headache, anguish and money. The Proactive Law Podcast disccusses stories, cases and real life example how being proactive can be life altering. Things we discuss are:

Legal cases discussed by attorneys from different practices

Best practices that people in different situations should consider

Deals on legal documentation that people need

Take us along your commute, while you multi-task your various activities and learn how to become proactive with your legal affairs

Subscribe On Your Preferred Platform

The Video Library

Recent Articles

Significance vs. Success

The following lifted from email —  revise and make personal   Dan Clark – one of the top motivational speakers in the world (www.danclark.com) and the author of best selling book “The Art of Significance” What would you rather have? Conventional impact or a high level impact? Dan Clark, one of the world’s leading inspirational…

Read More

Estate Planning and Accumulating Wealth

Many people believe they must accumulate wealth before they begin an estate plan. This is simply not true. The most important part of the estate planning process is providing powers of attorney which become active when you become inactive. Passing wealth is the next part of estate planning. The final part of the estate planning…

Read More

Why is Dynasty Planning so Important to Your Estate Plan?

Dynasty Planning involves more than just a Trust or a means of protecting a few assets to pass on to your kids. At Durfee Law Group, we bring together all of your assets and the parties responsible for managing them. With everyone on the same page, it is possible to optimize your entire Estate and…

Read More

What is Asset Protection and Why do I Need It?

Why asset protection? An asset is a very broad definition for anything you own that might have value. This includes money, homes and businesses to your own body. The videos linked below will teach you the importance of protecting your assets and your family from the monetary problems that can arise after your death. What…

Read More

What Role Does Charitable Giving have in Estate Planning?

Why charitable giving? The Entrepreneurial spirit built this country and made it great. Our forefathers made “The American Dream” possible to everyone in this country, regardless of their background or social status. But many self-made men and women contribute heavily to charities. Why are wealthy people prone to giving back? The hard-working people of America…

Read More

Business & Tax Planning

What role do Business and Tax planning play in an Estate Plan? Business and Tax Planning make up one key aspect of a well engineered Integrated Estate Plan. Durfee Law Group considers all other aspects of your estate as well. We prepare a diagram in advance to determine the best solution for your needs. After…

Read More

What do Business Entities Have to do With Estate Planning?

The Business of Estate Planning People who own business entities, like Corporations, LLC’s and Limited Partnerships NEED Estate Planning. Often estate plans are set up completely detached from business entities.  When business entities are not integrated into the estate plan, it can cause problems with family members, partners, business operations, and the ultimate value of…

Read More

Do It Yourself Estate Planning vs. Hiring a Lawyer

Do it Yourself Estate Planning Sometimes, planning your estate on your own is the best option. If you are young and just starting out in the world with a few assets and more time than money to invest in protecting them, a DIY Estate Plan is a good idea. It will teach you about the…

Read More

Why do I Need an Estate Plan if I Don’t Have an Estate?

Everyone in America has an estate and an estate plan in place automatically. Even without a home, vehicles or money to your name you have an estate, your body is your responsibility and deciding what will be done with it when you die is up to you. If you die without an estate plan, whether…

Read More

Estate Planning vs. Dynasty Estate Planning

Estate Planning The estate plan revolves around the death of the benefactor. Paying taxes Probate or private contractor handles the estate Deciding which beneficiaries get which assets Dynasty Estate Planning Dynasty estate planners have a larger scope and plan for the future of the beneficiaries. We can plan for: Avoided Probate Avoided Taxes Protecting assets…

Read More

Definitions

Durable General Power of Attorney

Durable General Power of Attorney definition.  A Power of Attorney authorizes an “agent” to make legal and financial decisions on behalf of a “principal”.  Such a power is “durable” if it continues even when the principal is incapacitated.  A DGPA is an essential part of basic emergency documents.

ILIT

“ILIT” stands for Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust.

Family Foundation

A Family Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax exempt charity established to carry out a family’s charitable intent. It may take many forms including a Donor Advised Fund, a Private Foundation, a Support Organization, and others. The tax treatment, operating overhead, compliance obligations, and ease of use vary significantly among the various types of Family Foundation.

Executor

“Executor” is an archaic word that refers to what is now called a “Personal Representative.”  An Executor is a person appointed by the court, through probate, to administer the estate of a deceased person.   A Will typically names who will be the Executor of the estate.  In Latin, an Executor must be a man.  A…

Agent

An “Agent” is a person who acts on behalf of another.  Under the “law of agency“, by contract or inference a fiduciary relationship arises in which the agent is authorized to act in behalf of a principal or beneficiary to enter into transactions with a third party.

Probate

“Probate” is a form of litigation to determine who is entitled to the property of a deceased person. If there is a Last Will and Testament, probate is initiated with a petition or application to have the Will admitted to probate. If there is no Will, the probate will be “intestate”.  Probate can be formal…

Registered Agent

A “statutory agent” or “registered agent” is the company’s agent located within the state to receive service of process and notice or demand required or permitted by law.

Statutory Agent

A “statutory agent” or “registered agent” is the company’s agent located within the state to receive service of process and notice or demand required or permitted by law.

Fiduciary

A fiduciary is a person who holds property or exercises authority for or in behalf of a principal or beneficiary, such as a trustee, agent, surrogate, or attorney-in-fact. A fiduciary has a duty (“fiduciary duty”) to act only for the benefit of the principal or beneficiary and not on their own account or for the…

Records Location Worksheet

The Records Location Worksheet is a road map to help those left behind find your important papers, documents and other information after you die.  It is an included part of most Durfee Law Group estate plans.