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Arizona native and former prosecutor for 18 years, now in private proactice handling family matters and estate planning.  We take care of you and your family's needs.

Emily Styskal  is an experienced estate planning and probate attorney.  Her practice focuses on the following areas:. Emily is invested in helping clients plan for and protect their loved ones both before and after death, and takes pride in the long-term relationships she builds with her clients.  Ms. Styskal's goal is to ensure not only that her clients have a plan in place, but also that they genuinely understand the plan and gain peace of mind through their work with her.  Emily also understands that estate planning is not one-dimensional, and enlists the participation of all of her clients' advisors.  This team approach ensures that clients are protected on an ongoing basis. Emily's practice also focuses on administration after death, or after a loved one has lost capacity.  She is experienced in probate, trust administration and guardianships and conservatorships, and works with families as well as private, professional fiduciaries.  Emily understands how difficult these times are in people's lives, and strives to lift the burden off of the family during these trying times. Emily graduated from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, in December 2007.  While in law school, Emily was an active member of the Arizona State Law Journal, and an intern for the Honorable Judge Orozco.  Emily is currently active in several estate planning and probate groups, and is a past board member and secretary for the Maricopa County Bar Association's Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Section. Emily is a native to Arizona, and moved back to the Valley in the spring of 2012, after her husband's commitment with the Air Force came to an end.  While not working, Emily enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends.

Richard Durfee. Jr. (Rick), is the founding and senior attorney at Durfee Law Group (DLG), practicing law since 1988. Based in Mesa, Arizona, the firm represents clients all over the US for all levels of estate planning, asset protection, business and charitable planning, and probate, from simple wills and trusts to complex dynasty planning. Rick has a unique family-centered approach to planning especially focused on growing and preserving multi-generational tax-efficient wealth, and protecting the family. His motto is “Live Well, Leave a Legacy”. To that end, the law firm has a 500-year plan so that families with such dynasty planning can have the legal help they need to thrive for generations to come.. Law is not Rick’s first career. Back in the early 80’s, he was helping teach classes on World Religions at Arizona State University, but couldn’t support his growing family on what they were willing to pay, so he decided to go to law school. As it turns out, his studies and research in the world’s great variety of religious experiences and expressions, would significantly shape how he has come to practice law and serve his clients.. He found that if he was given the opportunity to help people keep their families and their assets out of the courtroom, it would make their lives better. Preventing fights over money makes families stronger, and the people in the families more in tune with what they know to be right. As he worked through different issues with many families, he found that most traditional estate planning focuses only on what happens with material things when people die; who’s going to get what, and when and how are they going to get it. This focus on the material, without regard for the non-material aspects of life, often triggers the very outcome that people are trying to avoid, and avoids the outcome that people are hoping for.. DLG focuses on all levels of estate planning and associated legal matters. This is a multi-disciplinary practice; DLG not only sets up Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts, business entities, and charitable tools, they carefully think through how each piece relates to the rest of the plan, and works together for common purposes.. Over the years, DLG has gone through various law firm arrangements. Rick has worked with brilliant mentors, strong partners, highly skilled colleagues, and dear friends. Today DLG has a growing number of bright, hard working attorneys, paralegals, and support staff to serve our clients and who share Rick’s vision. These younger up-coming professionals are part of DLG’s own long term succession plan. They are building something at Durfee Law Group with their clients and with their own organization that is intended to outlive them, and which will continue to serve and bless others for generations to come.

I am a native of Mesa, Arizona, practicing in areas of estate planning and probate litigation.  Our firm can handle countless other fields of law, as well.  Go to our website and take a look for further information.  Thank you.

Robert is a native Arizonan who has been practicing law since 2017. Robert attended law school at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University where he graduated cum laude. Robert also served as a board member of the Jurimetrics Journal of Law Science and Technology. Prior to starting his own practice, Robert practiced civil litigation at two prominent Phoenix law firms. Robert now enjoys the practice of estate planning because it provides him with the opportunity to help people achieve their goals - including creating a plan for the future. Robert also assists clients with business formation.

Kristi Hancock ESQ is a 4th generation Arizonan. She spent 12 years traveling around the country with her husband while he was in the Air Force. They came back to settle down in Arizona where Kristi began her real estate career and eventually become an attorney.. Education:. Kristi graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. She received her law degree from Arizona Summit Law School where she graduated summa cum laude. Kristi was the recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for being the top student in Criminal Procedure, Civil Litigation, and Wills, Trusts and Estates. She has practiced real estate law, family law, estate planning, probate, equine law, and contract law.. Community:. Kristi volunteers with Women In Law, Wills for Heroes, Helping Hands, and other church and community organizations. She loves to help our first responders and military heroes with their legal needs.. Hobbies:. Kristi loves to ride and train quarter horses. She has three grown daughters and five grandchildren. She loves family time and outdoor time.