Parke A Burmeister

As an estate, probate, and business attorney in Portland, Maine, I am proud to work with individuals, families, and business owners here in Portland, and across the state.

From drafting simple wills and trusts, to helping favorably resolve probate disputes, to business formations and contract negotiations, I strive to treat every client relationship as a partnership. My goal is to maintain a law practice that is easily approachable, immpeccably responsive, friendly, cost-conscious, and effective at helping clients reach their goals.

I earned my J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Maine School of Law in 2010, and my B.A. in Government from Colby College in 2000. I have also completed mediation training and service for the Harvard Mediation Program. While in law school, I was a teaching assistant and was an Editor of the Ocean and Coastal Law Journal.

I currently serve on the Portland Ballet Board of Directors, and the Maine Women's Fund Marketing Committee. I enjoy volunteering, playing music, and being outdoors (especially in the winter). I live in Portland with my wife, two daughters, and a very special Labrador named Scout.

University of Maine School of Law

J.D. (2010) | Juris Doctor

2007 - 2010

Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Activities: Teaching Assistant Ocean and Coastal Law Journal, Case Note and Comment Editor

Colby College

B.A. | Government

1996 - 2000

Activities: Track and Field; Sailing

Maine Bar  # 004675

Member

Current

Maine

Since 2010

Massachusetts

Since 2010

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

Q. Is it better to will my assets to my children or set them up as beneficiaries to a trust?

October 5, 2017

A: This is a very good question, and the answer depends very much on the specifics of your particular situation. Some of the factors to consider include: the age of your children; whether or not any of them have special needs, credit issues, or difficulty managing money; your long-term goals for your property; tax considerations; and whether some of the other benefits of having a trust could outweigh the simplicity of having just a will. There are other factors to consider as well. Generally speaking, a will is simpler than a trust, but there are a lot of things a will cannot do very well, that a trust can. It really all depends upon your situation.