Annotate Legal Maine Small Estates Forms For Free

Normally, it does not take long or cost a lot to probate a Will in Maine. Many people go through this process without an attorney. The probate court simply makes sure everything is in order and the Will is followed. Sometimes, people listed in the Will object to the way things are being handled.

To start the probate process, you need to file an ?Application for Probate? in the probate court in the county where the decedent lived. In Maine, each county has its own probate court.

Maine small estate affidavit In Maine, a small estate affidavit can be used to bypass formal administration and collect the decedent's assets valued under $40,000. You must wait at least 30 days after the decedent's death to use the affidavit, and it does not need to be filed with the court. [

Do All Estates Have to Go Through County Probate Court in Maine? Most estates will need to go through probate, simply because they were not set up to avoid it. However, smaller estates may avoid formal probate with an affidavit as long as the value is less than $40,000.

Some states may require a lawyer for submitting them to probate court, but Maine doesn't. A lawyer will save you time and headaches. A lawyer can make sure you don't make big tax mistakes or miss any deadlines. The larger and more complex your estate, the more reasons there are to get a lawyer.

Probate can be a lengthy process in Maine. It generally takes a minimum of six to twelve months, but it can extend beyond that, often lasting a year or more. Complex estates or disputes among beneficiaries can further lengthen the process.