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Waterfront Properties Group

Bernstein Shur’s Waterfront Properties Group creates peace-of-mind for owners of coastal and lakefront properties.  Our cross-disciplinary team of attorneys and title specialists works with landowners to resolve the issues that arise from owning, purchasing, or selling waterfront land and homes in Maine.

Whether your goal is to facilitate long-term property ownership by family members, to minimize the costs of ownership, or to seek a permitting, development, or conservation solution – our  integrated approach to legal and technical planning ensures that the most effective approaches to property ownership are considered. Members of our Waterfront Properties Group identify and implement practical, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to issues commonly encountered by waterfront property owners, whether our work commences prior to purchase, after many years of ownership, or in connection with a sale.

Bernstein Shur’s Waterfront Properties Group draws, when needed, on the expertise of our Environmental and Natural Resources, Real Estate, Municipal, Estate Planning, and Tax attorneys. Our clients also benefit from the services of Bernstein Shur’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Monument Title Company, which provides comprehensive title research throughout the state of Maine and serves as an agent for national title insurance companies.

Bernstein Shur’s Waterfront Properties Group services include:

Land Use Analysis, Planning, and Permitting
Property owners who seek to acquire a distinctive property or to add value to a currently owned property—whether it be through expansion or construction of a residence, installation of a dock or other amenity, or division and development of a legacy property—commonly face a web of complex laws and regulations.

Bernstein Shur’s Waterfront Properties Group assists landowners with their due diligence and works to develop practical solutions to issues that commonly arise, including: the impact of federal, state, and local regulations (including subdivision, zoning, and shoreland regulations); environmental permitting; environmental site assessment and analysis; title issues; and boundary and property disputes. Our expertise in these areas is essential for both purchasers and long-time owners of waterfront properties, as well as for individuals and families who wish to protect their properties from potentially adverse nearby developments.

Property, Income, and Estate Tax Planning
Bernstein Shur’s Waterfront Properties Group provides strategic counsel on the best approaches to managing the property, income, and estate taxes associated with the ownership of land in Maine. We advise clients on titleholding mechanisms that will achieve complex family objectives, such as limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and trusts; and on ownership options that may reduce tax burdens.

Our attorneys are experts in the development of innovative conservation solutions, including donations and sales of conservation easement and fee interests to land conservation organizations and governmental agencies, and special use taxation. We also have in-depth experience in the area of property tax disputes including revaluation, abatement, and the appeals process.

Multi-Generational Ownership Planning
Many families who own exceptional properties in Maine are concerned with ensuring that these properties are maintained for future generations. Bernstein Shur works with clients to implement effective multi-generational ownership strategies and structures that are sensitive to the unique nature of each family and property. We also offer expertise in estate and gift tax planning and estate and trust administration. We are also pleased to work with out-of-state counsel on the Maine-specific components of a nonresident client’s estate plan.

We encourage you to learn more about the benefits of working with Bernstein Shur’s Waterfront Properties Group and our network of trusted advisors.

For  more information, call 207 774-1200 or email WPG@bernsteinshur.com.