Barbara K. Wheaton

Barbara K. Wheaton


Pierce Atwood LLP

Recognized since 2003

Portland, Maine

Practice Areas

Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Tax Law

Trusts and Estates

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Tax Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Trusts and Estates
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Barbara Wheaton concentrates her legal practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable giving, and related disciplines. Barbara's clients include high net worth individuals, business owners, family offices, charities and fiduciaries. She represents her clients' interests in probate proceedings involving trustee or executor duties, guardianships, trust administration and reformation, and contested estate administrations.

Barbara also works extensively with nonprofit organizations, helping them obtain and retain their tax exempt status. She provides effective solutions to the tax and regulatory problems frequently confronting private foundations and public charities.

Barbara speaks frequently to nonprofit boards about best governance practices and tax compliance. Barbara provides sophisticated, solution-driven estate planning services to high net worth individuals and their families. She frequently works with individuals who have special estate planning considerations, such as substantial real estate holdings, closely held businesses, retirement plan assets, intellectual property, and special family considerations. Barbara regularly employs advanced tax planning techniques to meet effectively her clients' personal, tax, and strategic objectives.

Contact & Links
Location
  • Merrill's Wharf
    254 Commercial Street
    Portland, ME 04101
Education
  • Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Bowdoin College, A.B., summa cum laude, graduated 1984
Bar Admissions
  • United States, Maine
  • United States, Florida
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association - Member, Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law
  • American Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Member
  • Professional Ethics Commission of the Maine Board of Bar Overseers - Chair
  • United Way of Greater Portland - Member, Finance and Investment Committee; Former Director (2008-2014)
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Pierce Atwood LLP
Headquarters: Portland, Maine

64 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

14 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Tax Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Portland, ME (2024)
  • Trusts and Estates, Portland, ME (2024)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Portland, ME (2022)
  • Tax Law, Portland, ME (2016)
  • Trusts and Estates, Portland, ME (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Maine for Trusts and Estates (2013)
  • Best Lawyers in America® for Trusts and Estates (since 2003), Trusts and Estates Litigation (since 2014), Tax Law (since 2014), and Elder Law (since 2015)
  • Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Maine for Tax Law (2016)
  • Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in Maine for Trusts & Estates Litigation (2022)
  • Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide: Top "Band 1" ranking in private wealth law in Maine (2016-present)
  • Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell.
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Elder Law

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Publications

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