Proving Paternity for Inheritance in Maine: What to Do When Dad's Name Is Not on Your Birth Certificate
Detailed Answer Short answer: In Maine you can establish that a deceased person is your father for inheritance purposes even if his name is not on your birth certificate. Typical routes are: (1) a court determination of parentage (paternity) using DNA or other evidence; (2) a written voluntary acknowledgment of paternity if one exists; or […]
Read article →Protecting an Inheritance in Maine When a Family Member Contests the Estate
Disclaimer: This is general information about Maine law and is not legal advice. For advice tailored to your situation, consult a licensed Maine attorney. Detailed answer — protecting an inheritance in Maine when a family member contests the estate If someone challenges a will or other estate transfer in Maine, acting quickly and deliberately can […]
Read article →Appointment as Administrator (Personal Representative) in Maine — Steps When a Sibling Dies Intestate
What to do when a close relative dies without a will in Maine Short answer: If your sister died without a will in Maine, you can ask the probate court to appoint you as the personal representative (commonly called an administrator) of her estate if no one with higher priority is willing or able to […]
Read article →Notifying Heirs When Opening Probate in Maine — What Notices to Send
Detailed Answer Short answer: When you open a probate case in Maine you must notify the people who have a legal interest in the estate (known heirs, devisees/beneficiaries, and other “interested persons”) by mail or personal service, and you normally must publish notice to reach unknown or missing heirs and general creditors. You should also […]
Read article →Finalizing Probate and Selling Property in Maine When a Will Is Outdated
When an older will governs an estate: finalizing probate and securing authority to sell Maine real property Quick summary: If a decedent's will is old or does not reflect current ownership, you must identify what actually remains in the probate estate, open probate in Maine, obtain appointment as personal representative (or confirmation of the existing […]
Read article →Maine: Selling a Home with a Reverse Mortgage When the Lender Requests Renunciation Letters
Detailed Answer When a homeowner with a reverse mortgage dies, the reverse mortgage becomes due and payable. In most cases the property can be sold to pay off the loan, with any remaining sale proceeds passing to the estate or heirs. In Maine, the practical roadblocks often come not from federal reverse-mortgage rules but from […]
Read article →Maine: What to Do When an Heir or Relative Refuses to Renounce Appointment in Probate
Options When an Interested Person Refuses to Renounce in a Maine Probate Case This FAQ-style article explains what a renunciation is under Maine probate practice and what you can do if an interested person (for example, an uncle) refuses to sign a renunciation that you need to become the personal representative. This is an educational […]
Read article →Maine — First Step to Verify Who Owns Part of a Relative’s Land
Detailed answer: How to begin confirming legal ownership of a portion of land in Maine This guide explains the single best first step and the immediate follow-up actions to determine who legally owns a portion of land that belonged to your grandfather under Maine law. It assumes you start with little or no legal knowledge. […]
Read article →Challenging Transfers Made Under a Power of Attorney in Maine: What to Know
Can I challenge transfers made under a power of attorney if I suspect my grandfather lacked capacity? Short answer: Yes — you can often challenge transfers made under a power of attorney (POA) in Maine if you have a good reason to believe the principal (your grandfather) lacked the mental capacity to sign the POA […]
Read article →Maine: What Happens to Joint Bank Accounts and Jointly Owned Property When Someone Dies Without a Will
How Maine law treats jointly held bank accounts and property when someone dies without a will Short answer: In Maine, whether money or property passes automatically to a co-owner or becomes part of the deceased person’s estate depends on how the asset is titled (joint tenancy with rights of survivorship, tenancy in common, or a […]
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