Daniel J. Eccher

I enjoy helping clients with estate planning and probate administration of estates. I particularly like helping people plan for long-term care while protecting their assets for their families. Let me help you and your family plan for the years ahead.

Elder Law

Estate Planning

Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Probate

Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Real Estate Law

Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law

Business Law

Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees

Maine

Since 2014

1st Circuit

Since 2016

Managing Shareholder

Levey, Wagley, Putman & Eccher, PA

2017 - Current

Principal

Eccher Law, LLC

2016 - 2017

Assistant Attorney General

Maine Office of the Attorney General

2015 - 2016

HHS Division

Associate Attorney

Weeks & Hutchins, LLC

2014 - 2015

University of Maine - School of Law

J.D. (2014) | Law

2011 - 2014

Honors: Pro Bono Publico Award

Activities: MAPIL, Health Law Association

Boston University

MPH (1999) | Epidemiology and Biostatistics

1998 - 1999

Vassar College

B.A. (1996) | Biology

1992 - 1996

Honors: Phi Beta Kappa

Activities: College Choir and Madrigal Singers

Katahdin Counsel

Maine Supreme Judicial Court

2015

Pro Bono Publico

University of Maine School of Law

2014

American Bar Association

2014 - Current

Maine State Bar Association

Member

2012 - Current

Q. What is the eviction process like in a probate related case?

January 19, 2023

A: The eviction process in a probate case is very much like the usual eviction process, with a couple of key differences. Usually, it is the Personal Representative of the estate who stands in the shoes of the landlord. The Personal Representative gives the tenants facing eviction proper notice, and if the tenants have not left within the required timeframe, the Personal Representative can file for "Forcible Entry and Detainer" in the local District Court. The courts tend to prefer that the Personal Representative and tenants work out a settlement, but, if necessary, a hearing will be held and the court will make a decision based on applying the facts to the law. If you are in either role (PR or tenant), you should try to get a lawyer with knowledge of both probate and landlord/tenant law.

Q. Do I have a right to move into a vacant home that I’m half owner of to protect it while waiting for probate to end?

October 21, 2022

A: You should hire a lawyer to advise you about this situation. Based on what you have said, it appears as if title to the house rests with the estate. Therefore, no one has a right to occupy the property until and unless it is deeded to them. You should be able to negotiate a lease with the estate, but you would only be able to do that if there is a Personal Representative appointed by a probate court, so I am confused why you would write that it is "doubtful the case will go to probate." Perhaps you meant that it could go through the "informal" rather than the "formal" process, but if title to real estate is involved, then it must go through probate.

Q. Can my 16 year old go to probate and say she wants to live with me rather than her mother?

July 20, 2022

A: Without delay, you should call Child Protective Services at 1-800-452-1999. Then, you should go to your local District Court and file for a Protection from Abuse Order on the teen's behalf. The filing fee is free; you can file it for free on the child's behalf. For more information, see the court's web site: https://www.courts.maine.gov/help/abuse/index.html Then, you should find a lawyer who practices family law. If you cannot afford to pay one, you should contact Pine Tree Legal Services. You want to go for "full custody" or the teen should petition in probate court for emancipation. Good luck!