Estate Planning — including Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney
Estate Planning is not just for the wealthy. If you have minor children, own property, want to ensure children from previous marriages are protected, it is best to talk to an attorney about putting your plans into writing.
Whom we serve: We provide estate planning and probate services to people of all ages, all economic groups, and all situations:
- Young families
- Retired people
- Parents of disabled children with special needs
- Elderly people
- Adults with disabilities
- Owners of farms and businesses
- People with substantial estates.
- Owners who wish to make arrangements for their Pets
Wills & Trusts: We prepare Wills and Trusts for our clients, to help them:
- Ensure that, at death, individuals of their choosing receive the estate
- Appoint a suitable person to be in charge of the estate (the “personal representative”)
- Provide for the needs of spouses, partners and children
- Appoint a suitable guardian for a minor or disabled child or family member
- Ensure proper management of a child’s or disabled person’s inheritance through the appointment of a trustee
- Minimize estate, gift and income taxes
- Preserve the estate against nursing home and long term care expenses
Ensure that a disabled family member is able to enjoy an inheritance while maintaining public benefits such as MaineCare (Maine Medicaid) and SSI, through the establishment of a Special Needs Trust.
- Advise clients regarding appropriate beneficiary designation on retirement plans and life insurance.
- Ensure efficient and orderly administration of the estate, including, if appropriate, avoiding probate.
- Discuss a new estate planning tool in Maine: Revocable Deeds Upon Death