Serves Lincoln, Knox, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Kennebec, and Cumberland counties from Damariscotta. Represents personal representatives in estate administration and ancillary administration, administers testamentary and living trusts, files estate and fiduciary tax returns, and handles will contests. Licensed in Maine and Massachusetts, with multi-jurisdictional work for summer residents.
Probate in Cumberland County
Probate Court Record
Cumberland County Probate Court
Cumberland County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-noon and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Office
142 Federal Street, Suite 125, Portland, ME 04101
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
How to file probate in Cumberland County →
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Do I need a lawyer for probate in Cumberland County? →Settling an estate in Cumberland County →
Probate Firms Serving Cumberland County
Serves Kennebec County from Winthrop and meets clients by appointment in the Waterville and Brunswick/Topsham areas. Files to have personal representatives appointed, advises them through paying debts, selling property, and distributing the estate, assists trustees, and represents parties in will contests or serves as mediator. Daniel J. Eccher continues the practice.
Serves clients throughout Maine from Waterville. Assists personal representatives with probate administration, including the inventory, accounting and distribution of estate assets, works with trustees to administer trusts, and handles guardianships, conservatorships and MaineCare long-term care applications. The firm is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
Serves Central Maine from Winthrop Street in Augusta, with court appearances statewide. Attorney Eric S. Dick handles probate matters, including transferring a decedent's assets to beneficiaries and representing people involved in probate disputes. The firm emphasizes probate law and has served Central Maine for over 35 years.
Serves Penobscot, Hancock, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties from Bangor. Attorneys C. Peter Bos and William N. Palmer guide executors and beneficiaries through probate, handling court filings, creditor claims, intestate estates and asset distribution, and represent parties in will contests and other probate disputes. The firm offers a free 30-minute consultation.
Serves clients throughout Maine from School Street in Rockland, with a focus on Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties. Administers estates through the Probate Court, prepares federal and state estate tax returns, handles trust administration, guardianships, conservatorships and will contests. The firm was established in 1901 by Alan C. Bird.
Forms for Planning and Settling an Estate in Maine
Free Maine forms to plan or settle an estate: a will, trust, powers of attorney, TOD deed and the probate forms. Prepare each form for Maine.
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Revocable Living Trust
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
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Last Will and Testament
In Maine, a will is signed before 218-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony18-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
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Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Maine
Free calculators and checklists to plan or settle an estate in Maine: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay and taxes. Run each tool for Maine.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Maine costs an estimated $26,31318-C M.R.S. § 3-721 (court review of the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage); § 3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Attorney fees run 1.9%Modeled estimate under 18-C M.R.S. § 3-721 (court review of the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage); § 3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Modeled estimate under 18-C M.R.S. § 3-721 (court review of the reasonableness of attorney compensation; no statutory percentage); § 3-720 (reasonable attorney fees in estate litigation): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate under a reasonable-compensation standard.
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How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Maine: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 days18-C MRSA §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 months18-C MRS §§ 3-801, 3-803, 3-805, 3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
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How Much Can an Executor Charge?
Maine pays executors reasonable compensation18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 2.2%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.8%Estimated from the 16 state statutes that set an executor fee schedule (median and interquartile range at this estate value)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate.
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Do I Need Probate?
In Maine, estates with personal property of $52,50018-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less skip probate with the Small Estate Affidavit18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, 30 days18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death.
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What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Maine, creditors have 4 months18-C M.R.S. § 3-801(1) (4 months from first publication); § 3-803(1) (outer bar: earlier of 9 months after death or the § 3-801 period)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
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Can I Self-File Probate?
Maine has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is available18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-301, 3-302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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