Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.9 /5.0
53 Client Reviews
$ 250-350 per hour
PRO
Travis I. Dafoe
Virtual Consultation Available
About Travis
Biography
I enjoy the interaction with people where I can explain something that may seem complex in a way that helps them understand. 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.
Integrity and dependability drive my practice.
We build Relationships not just Estate Plans
Providing superb guidance to to personal representatives
Holistic, Elder-Centered Solutions
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Estate Planning
45%
Elder Law
40%
Probate
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2022 2016 2015
Licenses
Licensed in Michigan for 16 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Travis online.
Travis I. Dafoe's Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Communication Style (12)
Practice Area Knowledge (11)
Recommendation (10)
General Knowledge (6)
Professionalism (6)
Trustworthiness (5)
Character & Conduct (4)
Advocacy (3)
Responsiveness (3)
Case Results (2)
Cost of Services (2)
Free Consultations (2)
Compassion (1)
Punctuality (1)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by David | April 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Great Experience with Estate Planning
My wife and I consulted Travis about estate planning and ended up hiring him. We are very happy with the work that he did for us. When we went into the initial meeting, we were not sure if we needed a Will or a Trust or both. Travis did a great job explaining the differences, advantages and disadv...
Posted by Jill | April 19, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Wills & Living Wills
Knowledgeable and Honest
We hired Travis to write our wills. Originally I had gone in thinking I wanted a trust to protect our assets for our kids' benefit, but Travis explained that we really only needed a Trust Under Will provision. That saved us money. Also, he wrote us a codicil to add our second child without extra char...
Posted by J. | November 07, 2013 | Employment & Labor
Travis vs Goliath
After my so called "peoples lawyer" lawfirm (they had case for about 2 years) dumped my employment EEOC case days before my statute of limitations were to expire, Travis was the only lawyer willing to take on a very well funded defendant. Other lawyers I've worked with don't return calls or emails, t...
Posted by Kristen | March 14, 2013 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Superb
Travis is above and beyond a Superb, Excellent, Best lawyer I could ever have. I worked with him for 10 months. I was very comfortable with him. I trusted him about everything and he gained my trust from the beginning. He is extremely professional. He listens. He understands. He relates to your situa...
Posted by James | October 22, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Peaceful easy feeling
We had put off having our will/estate planning done for years. Travis left us with a real "easy feeling" with his knowledge and work for us. It was all very affordable. He also made it very easy to understand. We had him review some other documents for us and gave us his valued opinion. Not nece...
Travis I. Dafoe's Lawyer Endorsements
"One of the most dedicated lawyers his community. Truly a fine individual."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Katie Baluha
Family lawyer
Eric Zehnder
Personal injury lawyer
Andrew Rodenhouse
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2026
F. H. Martin Award, Saginaw County Bar Association
2026
Platinum Client Champion, Martindale-Hubbell®
2019
Elder Law Certification, Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
Client's Choice, Avvo
Work Experience
2015 - Present
Owner, Dafoe Law, PLLC
2010 - 2013
Adjunct Professor, Delta College
2010 - 2015
Attorney, Gafkay & Dafoe, PLC
2009 - 2010
Attorney, Malhburg, Brandt, Gilbert, Thompson, & Wimsatt
2002 - 2007
Teacher, River Valley School District
Associations
2016 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMember
2016 - Present
WealthCounselMember
2016 - Present
Life Care Planning Law Firm AssocationMember
2009 - Present
Michigan Bar AssociationMember
2020 - 2020
Frankenmuth Historical AssociationPresident
2016 - 2018
Frankenmuth Parks and Recreation CommissionBoard Member
2016 - 2020
Frankenmuth Historical AssociationBoard Member
2016 - 2022
Frankenmuth School District School BoardSchool Board Member
2015 - 2019
Frankenmuth JayceesLegal Counsel
2014 - 2022
Frankenmuth RotaryMember
2010 - 2011
Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals NetworkSteering Committee
2009 - 2015
Saginaw County Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Henschel v Clare County Road Commission, 737 F.3d 1017 (6th Cir. 2013)
Reverse and Remand
Garlitz v. Alpena Reg'l Medical Ctr., 834 F. SUPP. 2D 668 (E.D. MICH. 2011)
Settled
Chlystek v. Donovan
Settled
Education
2009
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
Speaking Engagements
2021
Trusts From A to Z
Grantor Trusts and. other TrustStructures
2017
Trusts From A to Z
Income Taxes for Trusts and Grantor Trusts
2017
Cass River Chapter Monthly Meeting
Lifecare Planning Basics
2014
Landlord Tenant Law: Leases, Evictions, Litigation, and Settlements
Landlord Tenant Law: Lease
2014
Estate Planning Seminar
Estate Planning
2014
Demystifying Estate Planning
Estate Planning
2013
Saginaw County Bar Association Ask a Lawyer
Ask a Lawyer
2013
Landlord-Tenant Law Surviving a Difficult Economy
Leases
2012
Utility Workers Union Conference
Family Medical Leave Act
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do we need to set up a will or trust,?
24 Jan 2017
Q&A
What are non-probate assets when a person dies?
22 Jan 2017
Q&A
Can your employer fire/discharge you while you are on medical leave?
25 Jun 2012
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Estate Planning 101
10 Jul 2015
Legal Guide
What does a personal representative do?
20 Apr 2015
Legal Guide
What is a Fiduciary
17 Oct 2014