Family Law

• Divorce
  At VBK, we have five attorneys on staff dedicated to providing compassionate and informed representation throughout your divorce journey. Combined, our divorce attorneys offer over 100 years of divorce law experience.
• Child Support
  Custody disputes often arise between married parents, divorced parents or unmarried parents. You may need an experienced lawyer to protect your parental rights and your child’s well-being and to guide you through the complex web of issues to be considered. These include parental rights and responsibilities, residence, contact, who provides insurance for the children, how uninsured medical expenses will be divided, how will tax exemptions be shared and child support.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  Maine is a state where child custody is determined based on the child’s best interests. Navigating custody cases can be complex, emotional, and overwhelming. At VBK, our skilled child custody attorneys provide compassionate guidance and thorough legal representation for parents in Maine.
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Guardianship
  Lisa earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Maine School of Law in 2022. During law school, Lisa served as Managing Editor of the Maine Law Review (Vol. 74) and co-chair of the Women’s Law Association. Lisa was selected as the Susan Calkins Public Interest Fellow for her class and was honored with the Pro Bono Publico award for completing more than 100 hours of pro bono service during law school. She also received the Wernick Prize for Legal Writing for her publication on adult guardianship reform in the Maine Law Review and the Family, Juvenile, and Elder Law Award for her academic and clinical achievements in family and elder law.
• Spousal Support
  Depending on the circumstances, the court may award spousal support to ensure financial stability for one spouse after the divorce.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  If you have been charged with a crime in Maine, the best way to protect your rights is to work with a criminal defense lawyer. Hiring an attorney may minimize the effect that the criminal charge has on your future, including your ability to get a job, rent a home, or possess firearms. Proceeding through court without an attorney is not recommended and can be difficult as a lot of charges may also have collateral consequences.
• DUI/DWI
  OUI charges can have significant consequences for your license and life. By contacting an OUI lawyer at VBK, we can help you challenge the evidence, protect your rights, and navigate the license suspension process.
• Wrongful Death
  The loss of a loved one is never easy, but when that death is caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of another individual or entity, the grief can be compounded by a sense of injustice. Maine law allows surviving family members to seek compensation for such losses through a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Sex Crimes
  Since 8th grade, Armanda has known she wanted to be a lawyer. She was attracted to the field because she is a natural problem solver and wanted to help solve problems for other people. In law school, she participated in a family law clinic and has stayed in the field ever since. While in law school, she also performed nightly volunteer duties with The Rape Crisis Response Hotline (now called Partners for Peace).
• Robbery
  Charges like robbery and aggravated assault demand an experienced attorney. We’ll protect your rights and fight for a fair outcome.
• Burglary
  These charges can result in heavy fines and imprisonment. We’ll carefully examine the accusations and build a robust defense.
• Theft
• Drug Crimes
  Whether you’re charged with trafficking, possession, or manufacturing, the consequences of a drug crime conviction can be severe. We’ll fight to minimize the impact on your life.
• Assault
  Assault charges, particularly those involving domestic partners, carry harsh penalties. We’ll work to understand the circumstances and build a solid defense strategy.
• Murder
  As a criminal lawyer in Maine, Kaylee has earned a reputation as the go-to attorney in the greater Bangor area. Kaylee has handled cases ranging from Disorderly Conduct to Murder. She takes both federal and state criminal cases.

Business and Corporate Law

• Business Disputes
  VBK has represented Maine businesses and business people for decades in business disputes. In particular we have assisted our clients
• Business Transactions
  Rosalind is a member of the Penobscot County Bar Association, the Maine State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She is a member of the Trusts and Estates, Elder Law, and Real Estate and Title Sections of the Maine State Bar Association and is past chair of the Trusts and Estates Section. Rosalind is also a title insurance agent for First American Title Insurance Company. She is a current member and former Chairperson of the Board of Assessment Review for the City of Bangor and a volunteer tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc. Her areas of practice include Estate Planning, Probate and Estate Administration, Real Estate, and Commercial Transactions.

Employment Law

• Workers Compensation
  Q. I’ve received workers' compensation benefits for a year, but now I’m receiving communications that my compensation will be cut off. What do I do?

Property Law

• Landlord-Tenant Disputes
  As a landlord or tenant in the state of Maine, understanding and adhering to the complex web of landlord-tenant laws is difficult. VBK can assist you by protecting your rights and mitigating potential legal disputes.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  As a death caused by a “wrongful act, or neglect” that would have allowed the deceased person to bring a personal injury claim if they had lived.
• Medical Malpractice
  Injuries or deaths that result from medical malpractice can be traumatic, both emotionally and financially, for you and your family. Because these cases are so difficult to understand and pursue, you should contact an experienced attorney immediately to discuss your situation.
• Auto Accidents
• Social Security Disability
  This program offers financial assistance to individuals who are blind, disabled, or have a medical condition that prevents them from working and earning a living. Lisa can help you review whether you meet the strict disability definitions established by the SSA to determine whether you qualify for SSDI benefits.

Trusts and Estates

• Estate Planning
  Estate planning is for everybody. Here are some key terms to help you become more familiar with the process...
• Wills
  Your Last Will and Testament is the document where you designate a guardian for your minor children or someone who will care for your beloved pets when you pass away. It enables you to decide who you trust to manage your estate when you pass—no matter how small the estate. It gives you a chance to leave a gift to a family member, your best friend, or a charitable organization with a mission you want to support.
• Trusts
  A revocable living trust can help your assets bypass probate, provide privacy, and potentially minimize fees and delays.
• Power of Attorney
  A health care directive, also known as a living will or healthcare power of attorney, may be able to ensure your wishes regarding medical treatment are followed if you cannot communicate them yourself.
• Probate
  Our probate attorneys possess a vast understanding of Maine probate law and offer extensive experience with a personal touch when handling complex estates.

Finance Law

• Bankruptcy
  As a result, you may be considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy – or simply advice on navigating these challenges. Given the complexity of the law and the range of issues to consider, getting advice early on is crucial.
• Tax Law
  From simple wills to complex trusts and tax planning strategies, we offer a full range of estate planning services to meet your needs.
• Debt Collection
  Debt collection is the legal process of recovering money owed by a debtor (the person or entity that owes the money) to a creditor (the person or business to whom the money is owed).