What can I do if the personal representative sends me a payment without explaining how they calculated my share of the estate? (ME)
Detailed Answer When a personal representative (also called an executor or administrator) sends you a payment from an estate but does not explain how they calculated your share, you have several practical and legal options under Maine law. Below is a step‑by‑step explanation of what to do, what an accounting normally shows, and how Maine’s […]
Read article →What documentation is required to prove I'm the next of kin and qualify as administrator in a reopened estate? (ME)
Detailed Answer Short overview: To reopen an estate in Maine and be appointed as the estate’s administrator, you must prove to the probate court that you are the decedent’s next of kin (an heir under Maine law) or otherwise entitled to appointment. That proof is documentary: certified vital records, court orders (for adoptions or name […]
Read article →What steps do I need to take when the original estate administrator has died before completing the probate? — ME
Overview and quick summary This FAQ explains what typically happens and what steps to take in Maine when the original personal representative (often called the administrator or executor) dies before finishing probate. It uses simple, practical language and a short hypothetical to show how Maine courts and families commonly handle the situation. Disclaimer: This is […]
Read article →How can I reopen my father's closed estate in Maine so I can be appointed as administrator?
Detailed Answer — How to reopen a closed estate in Maine so you can be appointed administrator When a probate estate for your father was previously opened and then closed, the Maine probate court retains limited power to reopen the matter in certain circumstances so that a new personal representative (administrator) can be appointed. Below […]
Read article →How long to get an out-of-state will approved in Maine probate? (ME)
How long does it usually take to get an out-of-state will approved in Maine probate? Not legal advice — for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed Maine probate attorney for case-specific guidance. Detailed answer: timelines and the Maine process for out-of-state wills When someone dies owning property or having ties to Maine but the will […]
Read article →What happens if the survey shows the property was conveyed out of my mother’s estate decades ago (ME)
If a recorded survey shows the property was conveyed out of your parent’s estate decades ago: what to know under Maine law Short answer: If a deed conveying the property was properly recorded and the estate was lawfully administered, you likely no longer have a legal ownership interest. But there are limited ways to challenge […]
Read article →How do I get the probate court’s permission to sell the property when the clerk’s office won’t explain the filing requirements? (Maine)
FAQ: Getting the Probate Court’s Permission to Sell Estate Property in Maine Short answer: If you are a personal representative (executor/administrator) or an interested person and need the probate court’s permission to sell real estate in Maine, you must file a written petition (often called a petition for sale of real estate or petition for […]
Read article →What steps do I need to follow as executor to sell real property to pay estate debts? – ME
Frequently Asked Question Detailed Answer: Steps an executor (personal representative) in Maine should follow to sell real property to pay estate debts Short overview. As the executor (also called the personal representative) you must follow Maine probate procedures to convert estate assets into cash, pay valid estate debts, and then distribute any remainder to beneficiaries. […]
Read article →Can I recover personal items heirs removed from the house before I took possession and enforce the court’s order? (ME)
Detailed Answer Short answer: Yes — you can often recover personal items heirs removed before you took possession and you can ask the court to enforce its order. The correct path in Maine usually starts in probate court (if the dispute involves estate administration or a probate court order) and may include a civil replevin […]
Read article →What Happens to a Safe Deposit Box After Someone Dies in ME?
Detailed Answer — Safe Deposit Boxes After a Death in Maine Short answer: In Maine, a bank will usually seal a deceased person’s safe deposit box and will only permit access to someone with legal authority — typically the personal representative (executor or administrator) appointed by the probate court or a surviving co-tenant listed on […]
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