Can a personal representative seek a commission on estate assets and sale proceeds in Maine?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified attorney about your situation. Detailed Answer In Maine, personal representatives (also known as executors or administrators) can receive compensation for administering an estate. Maine’s probate code (Title 18-C M.R.S. §§3-702 to 3-707) provides two primary methods of […]
Read article →What steps are required to locate, inventory, and distribute estate assets and settle debts in Maine?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Maine attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer When someone dies in Maine, their estate goes through a legal process called probate. The personal representative (also known as an executor) handles locating assets, notifying creditors, settling […]
Read article →How do Maine intestacy rules apply if no valid will is found?
Detailed Answer When a person dies without a valid will in Maine, their estate passes under the state’s intestacy laws. Intestacy means the state’s rules—rather than the decedent’s wishes—determine who inherits. Maine codifies these rules in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-B, Probate Code. 1. Determining Heirs and Priority Maine’s intestate succession follows a priority […]
Read article →How to Verify if a Decedent Had a Valid Will or Other Estate Planning Documents in Maine
Detailed Answer In Maine, there is no central will registry. You must search several locations and records to confirm the existence of valid estate planning documents. Search Personal Records: Review the decedent’s home, safe deposit boxes, financial statements, and computer files for originals or copies of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or advance health care […]
Read article →Which Court or County Office Handles Estate Administration and Unclaimed Property Claims in ME?
Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. It is for informational purposes only. Detailed Answer Estate Administration In Maine, the Probate Court oversees estate administration. You must file probate proceedings in the county where the decedent resided at death according to Title 18-A of the Maine Revised Statutes. 18-A M.R.S. Title 18-A. To find […]
Read article →What steps are required to open an estate proceeding when no probate case exists in Maine
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney to address your specific situation. Detailed Answer: Opening an Estate Proceeding in Maine 1. Identify the Proper Probate Court In Maine, you must file in the probate court of the county where the decedent was domiciled at […]
Read article →How Can Someone Determine if a Probate Estate Has Been Opened for a Decedent in ME?
When a person passes away, their estate often enters probate to settle debts and distribute assets. You can determine if a probate estate has been opened in Maine by following these steps. Detailed Answer 1. Check the Probate Case Lookup The Maine Judicial Branch provides an online Probate Case Lookup where you can search by […]
Read article →What documentation is required to apply for letters of administration in Maine, ME
Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for advice on your situation. Detailed Answer When an individual dies without a will in Maine, you apply for letters of administration to manage and distribute the estate under 18-B M.R.S. §2-601.[§2-601] You must file in the Probate Court […]
Read article →What Information Is Needed to Request Estate Files from a County Probate Division in ME?
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Under Maine law, probate court records are generally open to public inspection pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act (1 M.R.S. § 402) and the probate docket requirement in Title 18-A, § 2-402 of the Maine Revised Statutes […]
Read article →What steps are needed to include real property into the estate successfully in Maine?
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer When a person passes away owning real property in Maine, you must include that property in the probate estate before transferring or selling it. Below are the key steps under Maine law. 1. Determine the Property Interest Review how […]
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