Estate Planning and Probate

We offer a full range of estate planning and probate services. Over the years, we have successfully helped clients achieve their estate planning goals while minimizing taxes. Where appropriate, we can recommend and implement a variety of estate planning techniques, including the following:

• Revocable or "Living" Trusts, which provide professional management of assets, administration of your financial affairs in the event of incapacity, and reduced probate costs;
• Marital and Credit Shelter Trusts, which can produce significant estate tax savings upon the deaths of both spouses;
• Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, to provide funds with which to pay federal estate taxes without subjecting the proceeds to estate taxes;
• Educational and Minor's Trusts, to create a source of funds to pay educational costs while maintaining control and flexibility over the use of the funds;
• Family Limited Partnerships, which can be effective vehicles to transfer property to children and grandchildren using the annual gift tax exclusions;
• Charitable Trusts, which satisfy your charitable desires at the lowest after-tax cost;
• Special Needs Trusts, to meet the needs of the disabled child or incapacitated adult while considering eligibility for governmental assistance programs;
• Advance Health Care Directives, which ensure that your wishes concerning health care decisions and end-of-life decisions will be carried out; and
• Financial Powers of Attorney, which can be a cost-effective alternative to expensive and protracted guardianship and conservatorship proceedings.

We also offer complete services in connection with the handling of a decedent's affairs. From the simplest estate to a multi-million dollar one, we are equipped to efficiently handle all matters in connection with estate administration, from working through the probate process to filing tax returns and dealing with creditors. For those non-resident decedents who owned Maine property, we can provide expedited ancillary administration proceedings in the Maine courts.

Murray, Plumb & Murray can also assist you with other Probate Court proceedings, including adoptions, guardianships and conservatorships. We have the expertise to guide you through the myriad of forms and statutes with efficiency and sensitivity.

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