Shelley P Carter

Shelley P Carter

4.9
Rating: 8.6

Licensed for 25 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Fryeburg, ME
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Criminal Defense, Family, Domestic Violence

110 Portland Street, Fryeburg, ME

About Shelley

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 30%

Shelley helps you navigate emotional and difficult legal issues in all aspects of divorce and separation. Every case is fact specific and she delivers excellent personalized counsel to help you with her dependable, honest tenacity.

25 years

30%
Criminal Defense 25%

If you are charged with a crime in Maine, you need an effective criminal defense attorney. Otherwise you are at the mercy of an impersonal and unpredictable justice system. Shelley can help you navigate the system with dependable, honest tenacity.

25 years

25%
Family 25%

Shelley helps you navigate emotional and difficult legal issues in all aspects of custody, paternity and child support. Every case is fact specific and she delivers excellent personalized counsel to help you with her dependable, honest tenacity.

25 years

25%
Domestic Violence 20%

As an experienced criminal defense and family law attorney, Shelley is uniquely positioned to help you navigate both systems with dependable, honest tenacity.

25 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Maine for 22 years

State: Maine

Acquired: 2003

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Minnesota for 25 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 2000

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Shelley P. Carter, PA

110 Portland Street, Fryeburg, ME, 04037

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Shelley P Carter's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

44 Client Reviews

5 star (43)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Kimberly | December 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Intelligent and fierce advocate

I utilized the Law office of Shelley Carter for a divorce. Shelley is honest, intelligent, and does her homework providing me with a fierce advocate. She was my backbone when I felt overwhelmed and tired. She gave sound legal advice and protection. I strongly recommend Shelley (and sweet Maggie).

Posted by Michael | September 7, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Lawyer

She is very professional, explains everything, doesn't miss a thing.She makes sure everything is done correctly the first time so you don't have to redo it

Posted by anonymous | September 6, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Attorney Carter - Excellence.

Divorce is no fun. It's stressy bullsh*t stacked on top of other bullsh*t that completely tosses a monkey wrench into your entire existence. Shelley is a very no-bullsh*t, results oriented champion of what YOU want... not what anyone else wants. She's in YOUR corner, and that's huge. While I hope I ...never have to employ her again, my time spent with her was a pleasant highlight in a very uncertain and stressful section of my life.

Posted by anonymous | July 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend!

I can’t say enough good things about my experience working with Shelly. Our situation held a lot of emotion and Shelly guided me through every step with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering dedication. From the beginning, Shelly listened attentively to my concerns and made sure I always fel...t heard and supported. She explained the legal process clearly and made sure I understood all my options. Thanks to Shelly’s expertise and tireless efforts, we achieved the best possible outcome. I am incredibly grateful for her advocacy, patience, and compassion during such a challenging time. I would highly recommend Shelly to anyone in need of legal assistance. You will not only have a skilled legal advocate on your side, but also someone who truly cares about your family.

Posted by anonymous | July 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend

Shelley Carter represented me during a very difficult time recently. I went through a divorce and her knowledge of the law along with her compassion made the process much easier. She was patient in explaining the procedures to me and always seemed to know when I needed emotional support in addition... to understanding the legalities of the law. She was consistently available and responded in an appropriate amount of time. I highly recommend her if you are in need of legal services.

See All Client Reviews

Shelley P Carter's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Shelley
Matthew F. Govan headshot
Matthew Govan

Family lawyer | Jan 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have known of Attorney Carter for a few years, but did not have a case with her until last year. She certainly was a good advocate for her client and worked hard for his benefit. She was on top things and I would highly recommend her in any family/divorce related matter."

Timothy E. Zerillo headshot
Timothy Zerillo

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Shelley Carter is top-notch. She has an unwavering commitment to the well-being of her clients. She is talented in the courtroom, and approaches her cases with a combination of creativity and passion."

Timothy E. Robbins headshot
Timothy Robbins

Family lawyer | Jan 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Shelley is a hard working advocate for her clients. I have worked with her on a few occasions and have found that while we may disagree on things, she is not disagreeable. Shelley looks for solutions to problems, rather than creating them! Good lawyering includes the ability to resolve cases. Shelley knows how this is done, in the best interests of her clients."

Glen Niemy headshot
Glen Niemy

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked on several cases in which Ms. Carter was the opposing counsel. I have always found her to be a very staunch and dedicated advocate for her client. She is always prepared and organized, with a good grasp of the law. She also is very sensitive to her clients' personal situations and their needs during the up and down course of a litigation. While Ms. Carter is very capable in a court room, she is also able to mediate a just and fair solution to an individual case. This is extremely important in domestic relations cases, especially where children are involved. I have also seen Ms. Carter's work in criminal matters. She is very adept in these matters as well. She knows the law, knows the District attorneys, and knows the best way to achieve the best result for her clients. In the past, my family has sought Ms. Carter's advice in certain sensitive matters. We have found her counsel to be sound and practical."

Michael G. Friedman headshot
Michael Friedman

General practice lawyer | Jan 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Shelley is a competent, attentive attorney who has well served the Western Maine community for over a decade. I highly recommend her in all my referrals to her law firm."

Amy T. Robidas headshot
Amy Robidas

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Carter. Shelly is diligent, knowledgeable and thoroughly experienced in all aspects of criminal defense, which enables her to achieve great results for her clients."

View All Endorsements
Matthew F. Govan headshot
Matthew Govan

Family lawyer

Timothy E. Zerillo headshot
Timothy Zerillo

Unknown lawyer

Amy T. Robidas headshot
Amy Robidas

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.6 (Excellent)

Honors

2019

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2019

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2017

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2016

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2015

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2014

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2013

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

2012

Katahdin Counsel, Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program

Work Experience

2009 - Present

President/Attorney, Law Office of Shelley P. Carter, PA

2004 - 2008

President, Friedman & Carter, P.A.

2003 - 2004

Associate, Hastings Law Office, P.A.

2003 - 2004

Staff Attorney, Battered Women's Project

2000 - 2003

Associate, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP

Associations

2013 - Present

Oxford County Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2013 - Present

Oxford County Bar Association

Member

2014 - 2015

Maine State Bar Association, Board of Governors Committee

District Governor

Education

2000

Hamline University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

Virginia Commonwealth University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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