Probate in Maine | ME Legal Resources | FastCounsel

How Can Estate Expenses and Ongoing Bills Be Managed During the Probate Process in Maine?

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer When a loved one in Maine passes away, their estate enters probate. During this process, the personal representative (sometimes called an executor) must manage estate expenses and pay ongoing […]

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What Options Exist for Selling or Transferring Real Property When an Heir Is a Minor Child and Cannot Consent? (ME)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified Maine attorney regarding your specific situation. Detailed Answer When an heir to real property in Maine is a minor, the law protects the child’s interest by requiring court oversight or the use of a custodian. The minor […]

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How can a beneficiary in Maine compel an estate administrator to pay an inheritance share?

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Maine law. It does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Under Maine’s probate code, a personal representative (often called an estate administrator) must collect assets, pay debts and expenses, and then distribute the remaining property to beneficiaries. If a beneficiary has not received an inheritance share, the law […]

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How Does Intestate Succession Work in Maine With No Spouse and Two Children?

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer Intestate succession applies when someone dies without a valid will. In Maine, the rules for distributing the probate estate are set out in Title 18-A, §2-102 of the Maine Revised Statutes. Under these rules, if the decedent leaves no […]

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How Does Intestate Succession Work in Maine When There Is No Spouse and Three Children?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Detailed Answer: Maine Intestate Succession Without a Spouse and Three Children When a person dies in Maine without a valid will, they die “intestate.” The Maine Probate Code sets a clear order for distributing an intestate estate. Under 18-A M.R.S. § 2-101, […]

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How can Maine's Slayer Statute rule affect an heir’s right to inherit from a decedent’s estate?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance. Detailed Answer Under Maine law, the slayer statute (18-A M.R.S. § 2-803) https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/18-A/title18-Ach2sec2-803.html disqualifies any person who feloniously and intentionally kills a decedent from inheriting from that decedent’s estate. The court treats the slayer as […]

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How does title transfer for an inherited home when there is no will and multiple heirs in Maine?

Detailed Answer Step 1: Identify Heirs Under Maine Intestacy Law When someone dies without a will (intestate) in Maine, Title 18-A M.R.S. §2-102 sets the order of inheritance. If there is no surviving spouse, all children inherit the real estate equally per stirpes. If there is a spouse and children, the spouse receives one-half of […]

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Can I appeal a probate court decision removing a personal representative in Maine?

Detailed Answer This article explains how to appeal a probate court decision in Maine that removes a personal representative. This is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. 1. Basis for Removal Under 18-A M.R.S. § 3-412, a court may remove a personal representative for failure to perform duties, misconduct, conflict of […]

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How to Determine Intestate Heirs of a Father's Estate in Maine

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Understanding Intestate Succession in Maine If someone dies without a valid will, they die “intestate.” Maine law sets a priority order for heirs in 18-A M.R.S. §2-101. Detailed Answer To determine who qualifies as intestate heirs of your father’s estate in […]

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Does the Personal Representative Have to Provide a Copy of the Probate Accounting in Maine?

Understanding Your Right to a Probate Accounting in Maine Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Detailed Answer Under Maine probate law, when someone serves as the personal representative of an estate, they must prepare and provide an […]

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