"Over the past several months I have been in the process of putting together a trust agreement for myself and my son Chris. Years have passed and Chris turns twenty-seven this year. Where does the time go? In any event, I felt it was time to get my affairs order so "peace of mind" can set in and take root.

I realized I would need the services of an attorney, as I may know Real Estate, I know little or nothing about setting up a living trust. I contacted a friend of mine who referred me to Mr. John Coffman of Alaska Estate Trusts Inc.

Dave and I met with John and his lovely wife (and able assistant) Marlene a few months ago. In his low, determined tone, John proceeded to ask me the tough questions that a document such as this requires. We covered the real estate, car, stocks, bonds, and assets I didn't even consider assets. He was very thorough in a calming and soothing way. He inspired confidence and gained our trust over the series of sessions we, spent together at my office.

Trying to protect assets from lengthy court involvement, seeing that your child is taken care of, and learning a "language" you are unfamiliar with can be daunting. John made the process as smooth as his manner. He believes in getting it right and getting it “iron-clad". I feel I now have both.

I recommend Johns services without reservation. He is a true professional in what can be a very difficult and sensitive business. I know I am, without pun intended, beneficiary of his attention to detail and his detailed attention.

If you find yourself in need of this type of service, his number is 561-3776. I'm sure he will give you the same "peace of mind" that I now enjoy."

Mary Cox, Broker Associate, Re/Max Properties, Inc -  (907) 257-0112

"John Coffman is a fine counselor in estate planning. He knows the law, and uses it for the benefit of his clients. His knowledge of trusts is outstanding. He is thoroughly ethical, reliable, and honest. He can explain what ought to be done clearly, simply, and correctly. We would trust him completely."

George Wayne Skladal
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, Retired
Attorney-at-Law

Elizabeth Gallo Skladal
Teacher, Anchorage School District, Retired

"For years my wife and I put off establishing a trust. We knew it was what we wanted to do ever since we attended a financial planning seminar when we were in our 30s. The years went by and we slowly built our savings and investments, suffering through the market crashes, but continuing our saving. Then we met John Coffman and attended his seminar on revocable living trusts. Wow! The information he proffered solidified our decision to do the trust. Several issues caught our attention. First, we realized that with a will, our son would be saddled with paying the “death tax” levied by the Federal Government. A trust never “dies”….we liked that. Second, we are fairly private individuals and the thought that our affairs become public when we die leaving a will, did not sit well with us. The trust stays private if you want it to. Third, the trust is fully in our control. We are in charge of it and make all decisions concerning what goes into it or comes out of it. Fourth, since the trust doesn’t ”die” there is no period where probate locks our estate down while the court takes up to a year to determine all affairs are in order after we pass. There are just too many reasons for establishing a trust not to do it.

In addition to the benefits of a trust, it is of the utmost importance that you get the right people to put it together. You don’t need to find out your trust has omissions just at the time it is supposed to protect your estate. That is why we chose to have Alaskan Estate Trusts do ours. Professional, exacting, knowledgeable, respectful, honest….the list goes on with reference to this team. I can’t recommend them strongly enough. Thanks guys! Our worries about the future of our estate are gone."

Ken Thomas, Lt. Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)
Mary Ellen Thomas

"It has been our great pleasure to work with John Coffman over the past 8 years. He is a true gentleman and scholar with a deep sense of responsibility to and for those he serves so generously. Always ready to assist with a thorough answer for whatever question large or small which you may have."

Ray Pastorino, Ph.D., JD
Clinical Psychologist – Humanities
Alaska Family Medicine Residency
Providence Health System

"Several fellow physicians and close friends suggested and strongly recommended Dr. John Coffman to create a family trust for us. As a result, we have a document which is entirely to our satisfaction and has given us both comfort and reassurance. Furthermore, as our lives and situations have evolved, John has always been available, open and accessible, as well as warm and welcoming. His depth of knowledge is beyond question, including his investigation of Alaska Statutes of Living Wills, which has created for us a document which perfectly reflects our most pertinent and intimate concerns."

Peter Mjos,  M.D.
Karen Ruud

"A quick review of the ACS yellow pages (2009-2010) under the heading of “Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning” reveals no fewer than 23 law firms for the city of Anchorage.

I have known John Coffman and Marlene Coffman since 1999 when I attended one of his living trust informational meetings.  I also attended several other firms’ meetings.

I came to know John as a professional, honest, and truly good person.

My wife and I decided to work with him at that time and drafted an initial estate plan.

I did not realize at that time that within 15 months and my wife’s unexpected death, that I would need his services again.  This is actually the point in time when one’s trust professional takes on a different role and requires sensitivity.

John helped me, as a professional and as a friend, to work through that difficult time.  For that I am truly grateful.

He continues as a good friend and trust consultant who is fair, honest, and professional.  He is quite easy to talk with about legal issues and is not afraid to say he doesn’t know an answer.  He always gets back to a client with the proper answer.

I would recommend him without reservation as an estate planning professional and living trust expert."

Jerry Nasenbeny,  M.D.

"In 1999, we attended an informational seminar hosted by John Coffman concerning family trusts. One of the services that John offers (at no charge) to potential clients is an in-home visit to discuss in detail the trust system as it would apply to you personally. After several hours of many questions and answers, we decided to have John create a family trust for us. John and his wife, Marlene, are exceptionally well-equipped to handle this service. John's educational background is most impressive, and his demeanor has groomed him to deal with intimate, personal knowledge that one would not share with just anyone. He invokes a feeling of complete trust and confidence in that his concerns for you and your family are genuine. He has helped us accomplish the objectives we wanted to protect our estate. We can pick up the telephone or communicate by e-mail with John at any time with any questions, and he immediately deals with whatever our concerns may be. My husband and I both feel fortunate that we met John and Marlene, and have forged not just a business relationship, but a true, lasting friendship with them."