Top Orono, ME Wills Lawyers Near You
Wills Lawyers | Bangor Office | Serving Orono, ME
61 Main St, PO Box 738, Bangor, ME 04402
Wills Lawyers | Newport Office | Serving Orono, ME
159 Main Street, PO Box 476, Newport, ME 04953
Wills Lawyers | Bangor Office | Serving Orono, ME
80 Exchange Street, PO Box 1210, Bangor, ME 04402-1210
Wills Lawyers | Levant Office | Serving Orono, ME
PO Box 268, Levant, ME 04456
Wills Lawyers | Belfast Office | Serving Orono, ME
48 Marshall Wharf, Suite 4, Belfast, ME 04915
Orono Wills Information
Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Orono
Lead Counsel independently verifies Wills attorneys in Orono and checks their standing with Maine bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
Find a Wills Attorney near Orono
Do I Really Need a Lawyer for My Will?
A will is a legal document that allows a person to decide how property and assets will be distributed after death. If a will does not exist, the state’s probate court disburses the person’s belongings according to intestacy laws.
What a Will Attorney Does
Although you can write a will without the benefit of legal counsel, the best course is to consult an Orono wills attorney. The attorney can draft your will to ensure it is legal, that your wishes are honored, and anticipate contingencies that could prevent the will from being challenged.
Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney
- How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
- How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
- What is the likely outcome for my case?
In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation
Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.
How will an attorney charge me?
A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how he/she will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:
- Bill by the hour
- Contingent fee agreement
- Flat fee agreement
Depending on your specific legal situation, it’s possible that only one type of fee structure is available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. In a flat fee arrangement, an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.
Common legal terms explained
Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.