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After a parent dies · Maine
How probate works in Maine after a parent dies
In Maine, probate is generally opened in the county where the person was domiciled at death. If the person did not live in Maine, probate can be opened in any Maine county where they had property. In Maine, most probate and appointment proceedings may not be started more than 3 years after the death, with some exceptions.
Educational only. Not legal advice. Sources checked November 2, 2026.
What the official sources say
- In Maine, probate is generally opened in the county where the person was domiciled at death. Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C §3-201. Checked November 2, 2026
- If the person did not live in Maine, probate can be opened in any Maine county where they had property. Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C §3-201. Checked November 2, 2026
- In Maine, most probate and appointment proceedings may not be started more than 3 years after the death, with some exceptions. Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C §3-108. Checked November 2, 2026
How to keep these papers
Keep dated copies of the papers you already have in one place, and write the day something happened on the same day. KeepMyProof is a private phone app for that: folders with checklists, the day it happened next to the day you saved it, and one PDF of a folder when someone asks.
- Will or trust copies
- Death certificates
- Court papers naming the executor
- Accounts and property papers
- Bills and letters to close out
- Family land papers (heirs' property)
Download the free printable checklist (PDF)
One page, no email needed.
Coming soon to Google Play.
More for Maine
- Creditor claim deadlines for an estate in Maine
- How to order a death certificate in Maine
- Executor duties and deadlines in Maine
- Small estates in Maine: collecting a parent's property without full probate
- Transfer-on-death deeds for a home in Maine
- Executor checklist: papers after a parent dies: the full guide
- How probate works after a parent dies: all states
Neighbouring states
- How probate works in Massachusetts after a parent dies
- How probate works in Kansas after a parent dies
- How probate works in Michigan after a parent dies
- How probate works in Iowa after a parent dies
Questions
Where do these Maine facts come from?
Each fact on this page is copied from an official source: Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C §3-201; Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C §3-108. We checked that each source still says it on November 2, 2026. Rules and forms change, so open the official link and read the current version before you rely on it.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and is not legal advice. KeepMyProof is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, ask a lawyer licensed in Maine or your court's self-help center.
Which papers should I keep for after a parent dies?
A good start: Will or trust copies; Death certificates; Court papers naming the executor; Accounts and property papers; Bills and letters to close out; Family land papers (heirs' property). Keep only papers you are allowed to have, write the date on each note, and keep originals somewhere safe.
How can I keep these papers private on my phone?
KeepMyProof keeps copies of the papers you already have in folders with checklists, encrypted on your phone, with no account and no ads. It is free for the first items you save. It is coming soon to Google Play.
Educational only. Not legal advice.