Estate Planning is not just for the wealthy, and it is not just for seniors.  If you own or control any money or property, you have an “estate” and should consider legally enforceable arrangements for those assets in the event of incapacity or death.

At Skelton Law Offices, we assist our estate planning clients of any age with goals like the following

• Arranging for property management in the event of physical or mental disability
   

• Providing for and designating guardians for minor children or incapacitated spouses
   

• Minimizing opportunities for family discord
   

• Minimizing loss to the estate value incurred by estate taxes and administrative expenses.

At Skelton Law Offices,
we help individuals plan for the possible
need for expensive long-term care.

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Elder Law addresses the unique and complex issues faced by older individuals. We advocate for Medicare coverage of nursing home and home care and plan and apply for MaineCare (Maine Medicaid) benefits. We address issues of health and long-term care insurance, retiree health and income benefits, retirement housing, and fiduciary services and representation.   We often advise and assist clients in drafting and implementing Special Needs Trusts. The firm also pursues appointments of guardians and conservators and administers decedent’s estates. Practice Areas Click on any highlighted Practice Area for more information and related articles and forms. Estate planning documents include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives.

1. Estate Planning

·         Assisting clients of all ages in preparing wills and trusts to accomplish estate planning goals and protect the client's loved ones and property.

·         Helping clients plan for the possibility of incapacity with General Durable Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Care Directives.

·         Planning to avoid the payment of unnecessary taxes.
 

2.  Special Needs Trusts

·         Drafting and obtaining approval for self-created, federally-authorized, special needs trusts to preserve resources of individuals with disabilities who are under age 65 while protecting eligibility for means-tested benefits like MaineCare and SSI.

·         Creating third-party special needs trusts for parents and grandparents of individuals with disabilities to provide discretionary supplemental support while maximizing all available resources for the loved one.
 

3.  MaineCare Planning

·         Protecting an individual's assets in the event of the need for expensive long-term care whether in a facility or at home. 

·         Assuring financial security for the community spouse and preserving a legacy for the next generation.

·         Preparing and implementing individual, personalized Asset Preservation Plans.
 

4. MaineCare Applications

·         Filing MaineCare applications.

·         Collecting and submitting the verification and documentation in support of the applications.

·         Advocating to the Department of Health and Human Services and attending interviews with or on behalf of applicants. 

·         Appealing denials of applications, as necessary.
 

5. Guardianship and Conservatorship

·         Petitioning the Probate Court for appointment of a guardian or conservator for individuals in need of protection. 
 

6.  Estate Administration

·         Assisting families in administering decedents’ estate.

·         Obtaining Letters of Authority for Personal Representatives.

·         Guiding a Personal Representative in inventorying, assembling, and distributing the assets of an estate.