Maine Informal Probate Process

Perhaps you've changed your mind about serving as executor or you simply have other, more pressing priorities to manage. You might wonder if you can skip a lengthy probate process and settle the deceased's estate on your own. Unfortunately, the answer is usually no.

Determine Your Priority for Appointment. Receive Written Waivers From Other Candidates. Contact Court in the County Where Deceased Resided. File the Petition for Administration. Attend the Probate Hearing. Secure a Probate Bond.

A personal representative usually is named in a will. However, courts sometimes appoint a personal representative. Usually, whether or not the deceased left a will, the probate court will issue a finding of fact that a will has or has not been filed and a personal representative or administrator has been appointed.

The fee varies depending on the size of the estate from $20.00 for an estate of $10,000 or less to $950.00 for an estate of $2,000,000 plus $100.00 for each additional $500,000.

An executor is someone named in your will, or appointed by the court, who is given the legal responsibility to take care of any remaining financial obligations. Typical duties include: Distributing assets according to the will. Maintaining property until the estate is settled (e.g., upkeep of a house)

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. If there is a Will, it needs to be submitted to the probate court. The probate judge will decide whether or not the Will is valid.

The executor is entitled to 5% of the first $200,000 of corpus; 3.5% of the excess over $200,000 up to $1,000,000; and 2% of the excess of the corpus over $1,000,000. From a practical standpoint, using my example of a $400,000 estate, my hypothetical executor would be entitled to a commission of $17,000.

Locate Documents. Record the preferences of the testator. Check status of property and accounts. Confirm beneficiaries are correct. Make a list of personal possessions. Create a schedule of assets. Make a list of credit cards and debts. Electronic access to information.

You can administer an estate even if the deceased died without a will or failed to specify an executor. If your relationship to the deceased doesn't make you the probate court's default choice for administrator, you'll need to get permission from the relatives ahead of you in the priority order.