The personal representative closes an informal estate by filing a verified Sworn Statement of Personal Representative Closing Estate (Form DE-602) under 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1003, certifying that the creditor-claim period has expired, the estate is fully administered and distributed (allowances, claims, expenses, and death taxes provided for), and a full written account was furnished to the affected distributees; no hearing or court order is required18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-1001, 3-1002, 3-1003, 3-1005, 3-1006Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

No earlier than 6 months after the original appointment of a general personal representative, and only after the creditor-claim period has expired; the statewide closing form (DE-602) additionally requires that 9 months have passed since the decedent’s death (the § 3-1006 absolute bar of all creditor claims)18-C M.R.S. § 3-1003(1); Me. Probate Cts. Form DE-602Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.

No. The personal representative states each item's fair market value as of the date of death18-C MRSA §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; no independent appraiser is required.

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. Real property cannot pass through the affidavit18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an estate that includes real estate uses a separate process. Maine sets the limit by the decedent's date of death18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source; an earlier death may be measured against a lower figure. An estate over the limit does not qualify, and no affidavit is prepared for it.