Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorneys
Here at Maine Elder Law Attorneys, we understand the challenges that come with legal matters related to aging, and we are here to provide Full-Circle Planning, Probate, and Estate Planning for you and your loved ones.
Whether you are seeking assistance with estate planning, long-term care, or guardianship, our dedicated team is committed to helping you navigate the complexities of elder law.
Full Circle Planning
Expert guidance for legal challenges related to aging, estate planning, long-term care, guardianship & MaineCare services (long-term and community-based care). We can help you navigate the complexities of elder law.
Probate
Navigate the ins and outs of the probate process for guardianships, estate settlements, and other matters involving fiduciary duty relationships.
Estate & Asset Protection Planning
Including the creation of individualized estate plans, asset protection, and supplemental needs trusts & transitional planning for family-owned businesses.
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Our story
About Maine Elder Law Attorneys
Our Value Proposition:
PLAN IT
Our goal is to understand your objectives; plan into the objectives and implement.
Claudia Raessler
Founder and Managing Member of Maine Elder Law Attorneys
Expertise and empathy are the descriptors Claudia hopes are the takeaways for anyone she has had the chance to work with in providing legal services. Whether assisting a client or collaborating with another attorney, financial consultant, or industry expert, her goal is always to achieve the client’s objectives.
The proactive nature of Elder Law – transitions in lifestyle and managing the accompanying financial impact – are core concerns when a client talks with Maine Elder Law Attorneys, P.A. To be of value in this practice area requires a high degree of expertise balanced against life experience. At the end of the day, the practice is about individuals.
In 2019, Claudia elected to combine her healthcare background with her legal knowledge to establish Raessler Law, P.A. – evolving very quickly into Maine Elder Law Attorneys, P.A. with the addition of two legal assistants developing their own areas of expertise – by understanding access to healthcare and the organizational skills for navigating the probate process. In addition, MELA provides a range of legal services based on Claudia’s business law skills and by collaborating with other Firms and attorneys having experience and skill in complementary areas of practice.
In 2023 we are continuing to grow Maine Elder Law Attorneys in size and experience while providing additional space for collaboration through a co-sharing environment for legal professionals.
When she is not practicing law, Claudia thinks about “daughters” – there are six, grandchildren – there are thirteen, and is an avid reader starting with the Nancy Drew series as a young girl. Today she is known to binge-watch on occasion almost any Britbox mystery series. 2024 is the year she is going to knit to completion her first pair of socks . She lives in Skowhegan, Maine along with her husband Ken and FINN, a high-energy Irish doodle. She describes the practice as a 500 piece, 1000 piece or 2500 piece puzzle that she delights in helping clients how best they may be able to put the pieces together.
Melissa Kinney
Office Administrator
Melissa has always had a strong passion for helping people and working with the elderly. Melissa worked for several years in Home Health Care working in people’s homes to help with their daily living. While working full-time and being a single mom, Melissa decided to go back to school not once but twice. Being undecided on what career path to follow at the time Melissa received an associate degree in Health Science from Kennebec Community College. A few years later Melissa went back to Kennebec Community College and received her Medical Assisting associate degree.
While loving her job working in Home Health Melissa decided to go out on a limb and took a job at the MELA Firm. This was a field she knew little about but soon learned the Firm’s ways and realized she had finally found her career path.
When Melissa is not at work, you will find her spending time with her daughter Mikayla who is her pride and joy or enjoying time with her family and friends creating endless memories.