BK

Barbara K. Wheaton, Tax Attorney in Portland, Maine

focused on Tax and Trusts

Portland, ME

Trusted tax attorney serving Portland.

2
Bar admissions

Practices in

Are you Barbara K. Wheaton?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

Claim this profile — free

Quick answer

Barbara K. Wheaton is an attorney based in Portland, MAINE. The practice focuses on Tax and Trusts.

Based in
Portland, MAINE
Experience
attorney
Known for
Tax · Trusts
  • Handles Tax and Trusts matters from Portland, MAINE.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME) (2026).

About Barbara K. Wheaton: Barbara K. Wheaton is an attorney based in Portland, MAINE. The practice focuses on Tax and Trusts.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Barbara takes on

Barbara concentrates on tax and trusts. Each area below outlines the kind of case Barbara handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Tax cases in Portland, Maine

Barbara takes tax matters in Portland, Maine. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Barbara agrees to represent you.

Trusts cases in Portland, Maine

Barbara takes trusts matters in Portland, Maine. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Barbara agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Barbara K. Wheaton — tax lawyer in Portland

Barbara K. Wheaton is an attorney based in Portland, MAINE. The practice focuses on Tax and Trusts.

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.

How Barbara handles tax matters

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…

Who Barbara represents

Barbara reviews new inquiries case-by-case for tax and trusts matters in Portland and the surrounding Maine area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • Harvard University

    J.D. · 1987

  • Bowdoin College

    — · 1984

Jurisdictions

Barbara's state bar admissions

  • United States, Flori

    ACTIVE

  • United States, Maine

    ACTIVE

Barbara studied at J.D. in Harvard University and — in Bowdoin College.

Law school and academic background

Barbara completed J.D. in Harvard University and — in Bowdoin College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Barbara runs in Maine is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Barbara has received 14 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME)

    2026

  • Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME)

    2024

  • Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME)

    2024

  • Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME)

    2022

  • Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law, Portland (ME)

    2016

  • Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME)

    2013

  • Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Elder Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Awards:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide: Top "Band 1" ranking in private wealth law in Maine (2016-present)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell.

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME) (2026). Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME) (2022). Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law, Portland (ME) (2016). Lawyer of the Year — Trusts and Estates, Portland (ME) (2013).

Locations

Barbara K. Wheaton's office in Portland

Barbara's primary office is at 254 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine, 04101. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

254 Commercial Street

Portland, Maine 04101

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Barbara K. Wheaton

Barbara has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

No reviews yet

Only verified clients who have consulted with Barbara K. Wheaton can leave a review.

Schedule your consultation

Hiring guide

How to hire Barbara K. Wheaton — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new tax attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Barbara usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Barbara charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Barbara's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Barbara will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a tax attorney in Portland, Maine

A short list to run through before you commit: How many tax matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Barbara

Barbara discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in tax practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every tax matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Barbara confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Barbara's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many tax practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Barbara K. Wheaton

  • How much does it cost to hire Barbara for a tax case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Barbara walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Barbara offer a free consultation?

    Barbara charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Barbara's office. Some tax attorneys offer free consults — check Barbara's current terms during booking.

  • How long do tax cases in Maine typically take?

    Simple tax matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Barbara gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Barbara take my case if I'm outside Portland?

    Barbara is licensed in Maine. Matters governed by Maine law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Barbara will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Barbara?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Barbara will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Barbara accepting new tax clients right now?

    Barbara's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Tax attorneys serving Portland, Augusta and Bangor in Maine

Barbara handles tax matters throughout Maine. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified tax attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Barbara's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these tax attorneys in Portland handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.