Business Details
34 Years
experience
Estate Planning & Probate Attorneys in Maine
Founded in 1992, Epstein & O'Donovan has established itself as Maine's premier boutique law firm specializing exclusively in trusts and estates. Our practice focuses on estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related litigation, serving clients across the state with a commitment to privacy and personalized service. With over 100 years of combined experience, our attorneys prioritize long-term client relationships, enabling us to deliver tailored legal solutions that address individual family dynamics and financial goals. We collaborate closely with other legal professionals, accountants, and financial advisors to provide comprehensive guidance while maintaining our distinct focus on estate law. Our statewide presence, including offices in Portland, Western Maine, and Midcoast Maine, allows us to serve rural communities effectively.The firm's collaborative culture ensures clients benefit from the collective expertise of all attorneys, regardless of their primary contact. Our dedication to excellence is reflected in our meticulous approach to wills, trusts, prenuptial agreements, business succession planning, and tax-related matters. We take pride in developing multigenerational relationships with families and businesses, ensuring continuity of service and deep understanding of client needs. Our commitment to quality extends to probate litigation and trust administration, where we represent beneficiaries and fiduciaries with equal dedication. By maintaining a focused practice area, we consistently deliver sophisticated legal counsel in a confidential, client-centered environment.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Trust Litigation
Business Succession Planning
Prenuptial Agreements
Charitable Giving
Guardianship Matters
Tax Planning
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in trust and estate law
- We maintain long-term client relationships for deeper understanding of needs
- Collaborate with external professionals for comprehensive service
- Statewide presence serving both urban and rural Maine communities
- Clients benefit from collective expertise of all firm attorneys
Services
Estate Planning
We create customized wills, trusts, and advanced directives that address both personal objectives and tax implications. Our attorneys assist with lifetime giving strategies, irrevocable trusts, and family partnerships to ensure comprehensive wealth preservation. By focusing exclusively on estate matters, we provide specialized guidance that protects assets while respecting family dynamics and long-term goals.
Probate Administration
Our team guides personal representatives through the probate process, handling asset inventory, debt settlement, and distribution according to wills or intestacy laws. We navigate complex tax requirements and multi-jurisdictional challenges while maintaining clear communication with beneficiaries. With decades of experience, we streamline estate administration to minimize stress during difficult transitions.
Trust Litigation
We represent beneficiaries and trustees in contested matters involving trust interpretation, fiduciary duties, and estate challenges. Our attorneys handle will contests, guardianship disputes, and IRS negotiations with strategic advocacy. By combining litigation expertise with deep trust law knowledge, we resolve conflicts while protecting client interests in probate court.
Business Succession
We develop succession plans that balance family expectations with business continuity. Our approach addresses ownership transitions, valuation concerns, and tax implications for closely-held companies. By creating structured frameworks, we help families implement smooth leadership changes that preserve business value across generations while maintaining operational stability.
Prenuptial Agreements
We counsel couples on financial rights and responsibilities before marriage, drafting agreements that establish clear asset boundaries. Our process includes full disclosure guidance and customized terms for property division. These agreements protect individual assets while promoting transparency about financial expectations in both prenuptial and postnuptial contexts.
People
Dennis J. ODonovan
Attorney
Experienced trusts and estates attorney with decades of practice focusing on complex estate planning and probate matters. Collaborates closely with clients to create tailored solutions while mentoring junior attorneys within the firm's collaborative environment.
Jennifer L. Kruszewski
Attorney
Specializes in estate administration and trust litigation, representing clients in probate court proceedings. Brings extensive experience in fiduciary responsibilities and multi-generational wealth transfer strategies to the firm's practice.
Miles C. Hunt
Attorney
Focuses on business succession planning and tax-efficient wealth preservation strategies. Works with family-owned businesses to develop transition plans that maintain operational continuity while addressing estate tax considerations.
Elizabeth Marcotte
Attorney
Concentrates on charitable giving structures and complex trust arrangements. Advises nonprofit organizations on estate-related matters while assisting individual clients with legacy planning initiatives.
Bjorn
Attorney
Handles prenuptial and postnuptial agreement planning, guiding clients through financial disclosure processes. Develops customized marital property arrangements that align with both personal circumstances and legal requirements.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialize in?
We focus exclusively on trusts and estates, including estate planning, probate administration, trust litigation, business succession planning, and related tax matters.
How does your firm differ from larger law practices?
As Maine's first boutique trusts and estates firm, we provide specialized expertise without distractions from other legal fields, ensuring deeper focus and personalized attention to estate matters.
Do you serve clients outside Portland?
Yes, we maintain offices in Western Maine and Midcoast Maine, serving clients statewide including rural communities through convenient local meetings.
How do you approach client relationships?
We prioritize long-term relationships to better understand family dynamics and financial goals, believing ongoing counsel provides more effective estate planning than transactional interactions.
Can I work with any attorney in your firm?
While you may primarily work with one attorney, all clients have access to the collective expertise of our entire team for comprehensive solutions.
