We are a trust and estate law firm dedicated exclusively to counseling Maine individuals, couples and multi-generational families with some of life’s most important decisions and challenges — planning for the care of loved ones and the distribution of assets, a responsibility that extends beyond the lives of our clients.

It is a privilege to work with our clients to create their unique plan and to carry out the plan with precision and compassion in the event of incapacity and after death. Our thorough knowledge of the law, fluency with tax issues and sensitivity to our clients’ concerns make it possible for us to assist them creatively and efficiently.

  • Estate Planning

    Estate planning at McCandless LLC follows a well-defined process that achieves both professional excellence and efficiency. With a track record that spans three decades, our team of experts has a proven record of working with families, couples and individuals to find innovative solutions that best meet each client’s needs.

  • Estate Administration

    Over many years of counseling hundreds of clients, we have refined an efficient process for the settlement of decedents’ estates. Estate administration involves the actual implementation of an estate plan and ensures that all applicable government reporting requirements are met. With the benefit of our professional experience in this field, we are able to support clients through this journey of settling the estate of a loved one with precision and compassion.

  • Trust Administration

    Trust administration refers to a trustee’s management of trust assets and the care of beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the trust documents and the requirements of the law. We represent both trustees and beneficiaries. Because the management of a trust often entails legal and financial responsibilities beyond the experience of knowledge of an appointed trustee, we offer a variety of trust administration services to assist in that process.

Our Values

  • Taking special care to listen and understand our clients’ needs and thoroughly assess their unique situation and goals.

  • Delivering creative and custom solutions that match a client's situation.

  • Making certain that our clients fully understand their options.

  • Working efficiently to deliver excellent services at reasonable cost.

Our Office

We designed our physical work environment to support our core values. Located in an historic building near the heart of Portland's Old Port district, we offer clients easy access and ample parking. We have created a serene interior workspace where we can interact efficiently and collaboratively and where clients feel relaxed and comfortable.

Our Network

With access to an extended network of legal and financial professionals in Maine and beyond, we are able to offer our clients prompt referrals when their special needs require professional services beyond those of our law firm. For clients with assets in other states or countries, we work seamlessly with counsel in those jurisdictions. Conversely, many firms outside Maine regularly seek our counsel in connection with Maine law issues.