Practice Areas

Our estate planning attorneys advise individuals and couples on how to manage and protect their assets during their lifetimes and how to transfer assets after death in ways that accomplish personal objectives. A complete estate plan typically includes a will and possibly a trust as well as financial powers of attorney and advance health care directives. The estate plan might include planning for a loved one with disabilities through a third party supplemental/special needs trust, planning for a child or grandchild unable to manage an inheritance, or planning to minimize exposure to estate tax.

The firm represents parties in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings in Maine Probate Courts. A guardian is responsible for the physical well-being and the residential, medical, and social needs of an individual in need of protection. A conservator manages the income, assets, and financial and business affairs of an individual who is unable or unwilling to do so. We also advise clients in advance on how to minimize the risk of court-ordered guardianships and conservatorships and other protective proceedings through planning in advance for the possibility of incapacity.

At Maine Elder Law Firm, we advise personal and professional fiduciaries, including trustees of revocable and irrevocable trusts, personal representatives of decedents’ estates, and agents acting under powers of attorney and advance health care directives. These fiduciaries may need legal advice on inventorying assets, dealing with creditors and addressing Medicaid estate recovery claims, correctly distributing assets, interpreting legal documents, communicating with beneficiaries, addressing income and estate taxes, understanding their obligations and authorities, and more.