Estate Planning

For most families, estate planning, wills, and trusts are an essential step in protecting and transferring family assets. Having an experienced attorney examine and draft these documents can help your family avoid unnecessary hardship after a family member has passed away.

WILLS

In Maine, a will has to meet a number of requirements to be considered valid. Without a valid will, family assets get transferred to a person’s closest relatives, regardless of the particular needs of the person or their family.

At VBK, our attorneys know that each estate requires special consideration, and we can help advise you on your options and draft a will that matches your wishes. This includes clients with young children who need to make provisions for guardians or create trusts.

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY AND ADVANCED HEALTH-CARE DIRECTIVES

The attorneys at VBK are able to help you prepare for that time when you or your loved ones may not be able to care for yourself and need to make end-of-life decisions.  As part of your estate plan, the attorneys at VBK will prepare such documents as Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health-Care Directives to make sure that your wishes are carried out.

TRUSTS

Our clients often set up trusts to protect their estates by limiting taxes, avoiding probate costs, and managing how their estates are distributed to their beneficiaries.

Trusts can cover a wide range of options, goals, and desires, so the advice of an experienced attorney can be critical in making sure your trust is valid and accurately represents your wishes.

If you’re in the process of setting up a trust, the attorneys at VBK can help educate you on your various options and guide you through the process to make sure your estate is protected.

OTHER ESTATE PLANNING STRATEGIES

VBK also offers a number of other estate planning strategies including life insurance, irrevocable trusts, family foundations, partnerships or LLCs, and other strategies that might be beneficial to your unique situation.

Our attorneys are happy to meet with you for an initial consultation to discuss your family’s needs and to advise you on the best approach for your estate.

Attorneys Practicing in Estate Planning