Maine: How to Get Court Approval to Release Estate Funds When Beneficiaries Disagree
Maine probate: getting the court to allow release of estate funds when beneficiaries disagree Detailed answer — how the process works and what to expect This guide explains how a personal representative (executor or administrator) and interested persons can ask a Maine probate court to release estate funds when beneficiaries or claimants dispute how the […]
Read article →Maine: Will Remaining Proceeds from a Parents' Home Sale Be Distributed Under Dad's Will?
Detailed Answer — How leftover proceeds from a sale of a parent’s home are handled under Maine law Short answer: If the house is part of your father’s probate estate, creditors and required allowances are paid first; any money left after those obligations is distributed according to your father’s will. If the house was not […]
Read article →Maine: Reimbursing Yourself From an Estate for a Decedent's Vehicle Lien
Disclaimer: This is educational information only and not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, consult a Maine probate attorney or the probate court. Short answer Yes—in Maine, someone who properly administers an estate (a personal representative) or a person who can prove they paid a necessary debt of the estate may be able […]
Read article →Maine: Distributing Remaining Estate Funds to Children After Taxes and Claims
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. For guidance about a specific estate, consult a Maine probate attorney. Detailed Answer When an estate has paid all taxes, valid creditor claims, and administrative expenses, the personal representative (executor or administrator) may distribute the remaining funds to the decedent's children. The steps below describe the typical […]
Read article →Maine: Do Administrators of an Intestate Estate Need to Post a Bond?
Detailed Answer In Maine, when someone is appointed by the probate court to serve as a personal representative (often called an administrator for an intestate estate), the court typically requires a fiduciary bond. The bond protects estate creditors and heirs by guaranteeing that the personal representative will perform duties honestly and account for estate assets. […]
Read article →How Maine Courts Choose an Estate Administrator: Key Factors and What to Expect
Factors Maine Courts Consider When Appointing an Estate Administrator Disclaimer: This article is informational only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Maine attorney or the probate court for guidance about a specific estate. Detailed answer — how Maine courts decide who becomes an estate administrator (personal representative) An estate administrator (often called a […]
Read article →Using Sale Proceeds to Pay Estate Cleanup Expenses — Maine
Use of Sale Proceeds for Estate Cleanup — Maine Can sale proceeds be used to pay estate expenses like junk removal and personal property cleanup? Short answer: Under Maine probate practice, a personal representative (executor or administrator) generally may use estate funds — including proceeds from the sale of estate property — to pay reasonable […]
Read article →Maine — How unauthorized charges to a parent's estate are handled in probate
How unauthorized charges to a parent's estate are handled through probate in Maine Detailed answer Short answer: Unauthorized charges to a decedent's accounts or estate property are usually handled in two ways during probate in Maine: (1) the personal representative (executor/administrator) can identify and recover improper payments as part of estate administration, and (2) an […]
Read article →Regaining Control of a Deceased Parent’s Bank and Credit Card Accounts in Maine
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This article provides general information about Maine law and common steps people take when a deceased person's financial accounts are being used by someone else. This is not legal advice. If you face contested access, suspected theft, or complex estate matters, consult a licensed Maine attorney. Detailed Answer When […]
Read article →Maine — How to Secure and Inventory a Deceased Person's House and Prevent Siblings from Removing Belongings Before You Are Appointed Administrator
FAQ: How do I secure and inventory the house and stop siblings from taking belongings before I’m appointed Administrator in Maine? Short answer: Act quickly to document and secure the property, notify family and local authorities, and ask the Probate Court for temporary authority if needed. Avoid unilateral removal of items unless you have legal […]
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