About Donald

Donald Rolfe practices estate planning and probate law at Northwest Legal Planning, LLC, located in West Linn, Oregon. He has been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 2004 and the Arizona State Bar since 2005. His firm specializes in assisting clients with the details of estate planning, encompassing wills, trusts, and probate administration throughout Oregon. This focus allows him to navigate the nuances of Oregon law effectively, ensuring that clients receive comprehensive support in their estate planning efforts. In 2004, Donald earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Prior to his legal education, he obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University in 1995. This educational background equips him with a robust understanding of both legal and property management issues, which are critical in estate planning. His dual expertise enables him to address the intricate details involved in managing estates and navigating probate processes. Most of Donald's practice involves drafting essential legal documents, advising clients on estate tax implications, and representing families during probate proceedings. Cases typically begin with initial consultations, where he assesses clients' needs and concerns.

Following this, he prepares necessary documents tailored to individual circumstances. When disputes arise, he is well-prepared to advocate for his clients in court, ensuring their interests are protected. His approach is methodical—each case is treated with the attention it deserves, reflecting his commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients. Before establishing his practice at Northwest Legal Planning, LLC, Donald worked working in various legal capacities since 2004. His roles included serving as a law clerk and legal intern, which provided him with a knowledge of the legal field in both Oregon and Arizona.

This diverse experience has equipped him to handle many estate planning issues, making him a versatile attorney in his field. Donald is an active member of both the Oregon State Bar Association and the Arizona State Bar. He regularly participates in continuing education programs to stay updated on changes in the law. This commitment to professional development not only enhances his legal knowledge but also ensures that he provides informed and effective counsel to his clients. His dedication to estate planning and probate law has established him as a trusted resource for individuals and families throughout Oregon, as he consistently aims to create tailored solutions that meet their needs.

Education

Sandra Day O Connor College of Law, Arizona State University

J.D. (2004) | Law

2001

Oregon State University

B.S. (2000) | Construction Engineering Management

1995

Languages

English (Spoken, Written)

Experience

Lawyer

Northwest Legal Planning, LLC
2015

Lawyer

The Rolfe Law Office, PLLC
2012

Lawyer

Rolfe Stafford, PLLC
2009

Lawyer

The Rolfe Law Office, PLLC
2006

Lawyer

Cheifetz Iannitelli Marcolini, P.C.
2004

Law Clerk

Bluff & Associates
2004

Legal Intern

United States Senate
2004

Accepted Jurisdictions

Oregon
Arizona

Court Admissions

Oregon Supreme Court State Supreme Court
Arizona Supreme Court State Supreme Court

Types of Cases Handled

estate planning probate

Legal Services Scope

Initial consultations Document preparation Court representation

Professional Associations

Oregon State Bar Association

has membership 2014 - Current

Arizona State Bar

has membership 2004 - Current

Office Locations

Main Office

 2350 Willamette Falls Drive West Linn OR 97068

Videos

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PLAYLIST 65 videos
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How Can A Trust Be Private & Still Work?
1
How Can A Trust Be Private & Still Work?
How do I disinherit a child?
2
How do I disinherit a child?
Why People Choose A Will Or A Trust
3
Why People Choose A Will Or A Trust
Why do I need more than a Will?
4
Why do I need more than a Will?
3 Essentials For Every Parent s Estate Plan
5
3 Essentials For Every Parent s Estate Plan
Where Should I Store My Estate Planning Documents?
6
Where Should I Store My Estate Planning Documents?
Being A New Trustee
7
Being A New Trustee
Is it too late for an Estate Plan?
8
Is it too late for an Estate Plan?
Some Estate Planning Basics
9
Some Estate Planning Basics
Is Asset Protection Real? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 33
10
Is Asset Protection Real? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 33
What is the process for Estate Planning?
11
What is the process for Estate Planning?
When Can My Children Handle Their Inheritance?
12
When Can My Children Handle Their Inheritance?
Is Your Power Of Lawyer Expired?
13
Is Your Power Of Lawyer Expired?
How to Protect Assets from Creditors, Exes, and Predators
14
How to Protect Assets from Creditors, Exes, and Predators
Is Your Estate Plan Complete?
15
Is Your Estate Plan Complete?
What can happen if you don’t have an Estate Plan?
16
What can happen if you don’t have an Estate Plan?
What’s in an estate plan?
17
What’s in an estate plan?
Q & A With Shivon
18
Q & A With Shivon
What Is The Simplest Way To Leave Assets?
19
What Is The Simplest Way To Leave Assets?
Asset Protection For Your Beneficiaries
20
Asset Protection For Your Beneficiaries
Can I Be Taxed For Making Gifts?
21
Can I Be Taxed For Making Gifts?
Young Couple Estate Planning - In-Laws
22
Young Couple Estate Planning - In-Laws
Do You Need To Update Your Estate Plan When Moving To A New State?
23
Do You Need To Update Your Estate Plan When Moving To A New State?
Do I wait for our baby to be born before creating our estate plan?
24
Do I wait for our baby to be born before creating our estate plan?
What are the benefits of estate planning?
25
What are the benefits of estate planning?
What To Tell Your Kids About Your Estate Plan
26
What To Tell Your Kids About Your Estate Plan
What are beneficiary designations?
27
What are beneficiary designations?
Are trusts only for the wealthy?
28
Are trusts only for the wealthy?
What Is A Power Of Appointment?
29
What Is A Power Of Appointment?
Planning With Real Property In Many States
30
Planning With Real Property In Many States
Revocable Trusts Are Not For Asset Protection
31
Revocable Trusts Are Not For Asset Protection
When Does A Will Expire?
32
When Does A Will Expire?
How To Reduce Estate Taxes
33
How To Reduce Estate Taxes
When does a revocable trust become irrevocable?
34
When does a revocable trust become irrevocable?
What Is Tax Basis?
35
What Is Tax Basis?
Can I Draft My Own Estate Plan?
36
Can I Draft My Own Estate Plan?
Can your child’s creditors garnish your bank account?
37
Can your child’s creditors garnish your bank account?
3 Times It Is Too Late For An Estate Plan
38
3 Times It Is Too Late For An Estate Plan
Why Do People Want To Avoid Probate?
39
Why Do People Want To Avoid Probate?
When Is The Right Time For An Estate Plan?
40
When Is The Right Time For An Estate Plan?
Fair Does Not Mean Equal
41
Fair Does Not Mean Equal
What Is A Power Of Lawyer?
42
What Is A Power Of Lawyer?
Does Your Will Disinherit Your Youngest Child?
43
Does Your Will Disinherit Your Youngest Child?
3 Considerations When Hiring An Estate Planning Lawyer
44
3 Considerations When Hiring An Estate Planning Lawyer
Asset Protection: Retirement Accounts
45
Asset Protection: Retirement Accounts
Accidentally Disinherited Child
46
Accidentally Disinherited Child
What the heck is “Funding A Trust”
47
What the heck is “Funding A Trust”
Dealing With A Problem Heir - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 18
48
Dealing With A Problem Heir - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 18
Joint Ownership & POD s Are Not An Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 17
49
Joint Ownership & POD s Are Not An Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 17
4 Times To Update Your Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 16
50
4 Times To Update Your Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 16
Can A Personal Representative or Trustee Steal Your Assets? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 15
51
Can A Personal Representative or Trustee Steal Your Assets? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 15
3 Reasons Everyone Needs An Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 14
52
3 Reasons Everyone Needs An Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 14
Choosing Guardians When You Don t Agree - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 13
53
Choosing Guardians When You Don t Agree - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 13
Taxes & Estate Planning - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 12
54
Taxes & Estate Planning - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 12
Healthcare & Estate Planning - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 11
55
Healthcare & Estate Planning - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 11
18 Year Old s Magic Vanishing Inheritance - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 10
56
18 Year Old s Magic Vanishing Inheritance - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 10
Everyone Has An Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 9
57
Everyone Has An Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 9
4 Ways To Leave Assets To Your Children - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 8
58
4 Ways To Leave Assets To Your Children - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 8
Incorporating Retirement Accounts Into Your Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 7
59
Incorporating Retirement Accounts Into Your Estate Plan - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 7
What Is Estate Planning? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 6
60
What Is Estate Planning? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 6
How To Leave Money To Minors - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 5
61
How To Leave Money To Minors - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 5
Why You Need A Will With Your Trust - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 4
62
Why You Need A Will With Your Trust - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 4
How To Leave Real Property To More Than One Person - Estate Planning Weekly 3
63
How To Leave Real Property To More Than One Person - Estate Planning Weekly 3
How to Avoid Probate - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 2
64
How to Avoid Probate - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 2
What’s The Difference Between a Will and a Trust? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 1
65
What’s The Difference Between a Will and a Trust? - Estate Planning Weekly Episode 1