“It’s Your Money” Financial Planning Workshop Series

Peter Kote is a prominent figure in the financial literacy and fiduciary sectors, best known for founding the award-winning “It’s Your Money” and “It’s Your Estate” workshop series.

Kote earned a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Western State University College of Law (1980) and a Bachelor of Arts from CSU Fullerton (1971). His career is defined by a pivot from the nonprofit gift-planning world to consumer advocacy, where he has focused on protecting individuals (particularly seniors) from predatory financial sales practices. While working at Cal State Long Beach in 1993, Kote realized that even highly educated faculty members often lacked basic knowledge of taxes and estate planning. He launched a workshop series to bridge this gap, which later evolved into the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Financial & Estate Literacy (FEL). Kote is famous for his “no-selling” rule. No insurance products or financial services are sold, and speakers are prohibited from collecting attendee contact information. Instructors are “Fee-Only” financial advisors or estate attorneys who agree to act as fiduciaries. 

The series is hosted at community senior centers and libraries throughout Orange County, California. In 1996, Kote founded Professional Fiduciary Services (PFS), serving as a neutral third party in roles such as Successor Trustee, Executor of Wills and Conservator. 

Kote received the “Heart of Financial Planning Distinguished Service Award” from the Financial Planning Association (FPA). This national award recognized his commitment to advancing the profession through objective public education rather than product sales.

A Southern California native and USC dual-degree alumnus, Accounting/Statistics (1971), and International Business (1975), Don Vivrette brings a global perspective and a “data nerd’s” precision to the world of estate planning. His career in international consulting taught him that the best solutions emerge when you remain open-minded and focus strictly on the individual’s needs.

In 2017, Don faced a significant capital gains challenge after selling a long-held office building. Leveraging his CPA background and a healthy dose of curiosity, he discovered the power of a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT). By gifting the building to the trust, Don and his wife secured a lifelong income stream and a future legacy for their favorite charities—all while managing their tax obligations effectively.

Today, Don serves as the Philanthropic Advisor for Financial & Estate Literacy. He draws on his personal experience and deep research to lead the Charitable Giving sessions for the It’s Your Estate seminar series. Though “retirement” looks different from what he once imagined, Don finds it perfectly natural to spend his time helping others align their family’s financial security with their desire to give back.