If you have loved ones that you want to make sure are taken care of no matter what, then you need an estate plan. If you live in Maine, it is important to find an estate planning attorney who is licensed to practice in Maine, to ensure that they are familiar with the relevant state and local laws and regulations related to estates and taxes. The experienced wills and estate planning attorneys at STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers are ready to make sure that your rights are protected and that all of your goals are met with regard to caring for your loved ones and protecting your own personal and financial interests.
It should be noted that not having a valid or locatable will is effectively the same as not having a will at all. There are a number of criteria and requirements that must be met in order for your will to be considered valid. For instance, you must have a certain number of witnesses present to watch you sign your will and they must be of appropriate age and mental fitness to serve as a witness.
Your will must also be able to be located. If no one can find your will after a reasonable search, the probate process will move forward as though you did not have one at all. For this reason, it is important to take precautions to ensure that your will is properly executed and in a place where people might reasonably expect to find it, such as in a safe or with your passport and other important documents.
If you do not have a will, your estate will proceed to probate court the same way it would have if you had a will. However, instead of trying to determine and honor your wishes, the court will instead default to applying Maine’s intestate succession statutes in distributing your estate. If you do not agree with the government with regard to how your assets would be under the intestate succession statutes, it’s important to make sure that you have your own valid will in place.
Many people think that all they have to do to plan for the future is make a will, but in reality, a will is only one aspect of a comprehensive estate plan. With a will, regardless of whether it is valid, your estate will proceed to probate court. This can cut off access to vital assets for your loved ones for months or even years. In order to make sure that your dependents and loved ones have access to assets that they rely on, such as bank account access or possession of your shared home, other estate planning mechanisms must be utilized in addition to making a will.
If you are ready to develop an estate plan and make sure that your loved ones are taken care of and that your wishes are honored and protected, it is time to talk to an experienced estate planning attorney, and our attorneys are waiting to hear from you. Contact the Maine estate planning attorneys at STEVE SMITH Trial Lawyers today to schedule a consultation.
“I am incredibly pleased I hired Steve Smith and Jack Baldacci. They made sure the same thing that happened to us wouldn’t happen to someone else. I highly recommend them.”
I received a copy of my son's appeal prepared by Carl E. Woock. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to read this appeal.…
Has a ton of experience. Knows the court and the other attorney which should be helpful.
Contacted me promptly & provided professional & extremely useful info which allowed me to have a better understanding of the legal context of the issue.
Stever & his assistant were great. They were able to reach an agreement with the other party, & did so in a good manner.
When it comes to my personal injury case, Steve was assertive and he fought and he fought. He was also a positive influence for me…
We know that what you want is an attorney who will provide real solutions. Our team’s experience spans nearly all facets of law, including criminal charges, divorce, business disputes, real estate, and more. We are tenacious at overcoming tough legal disputes, and we love a challenge.
Get an answer from a trusted attorney now!
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing certain contact information here in, you are expressly authorizing the recipient of this message to contact you via the methods of communication provided.
NUVEW | Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Notice
