Maine Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Maine probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
In-depth guides covering Maine probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.
Prepare the Maine small estate affidavit for estates up to $52,500, plus presentation letters for each holder. 18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-1201 to 3-1202.
Step 1 of 5
The Maine affidavit identifies the claiming successor and the basis of entitlement.
The decedent's state. Only states where this tool prepares the affidavit are listed; other states' pages explain their procedure.
The successor signing the affidavit.
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Maine publishes AF-102 Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (print form); the affidavit this tool prepares is drafted to the same statutory requirements, per 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201(1)(A)-(D).
$52,500, per 18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-1201 to 3-1202. This tool checks the entered estate value against the limit and does not prepare an affidavit for an estate over it.
30 days after the death (18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-1201 to 3-1202). The affidavit states that the waiting period has elapsed, so it cannot be signed earlier.
A person claiming to be the successor of the decedent (the affidavit is made by or on behalf of the successor, stating the claimant's entitlement to payment or delivery of the property). 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201(1).
The person indebted to the decedent or having possession of the decedent's personal property — including proceeds of bank and investment accounts and instruments evidencing a debt, obligation, stock, or chose in action. A transfer agent of a security must change registered ownership on presentation of the affidavit (§ 3-1201(2)).
The Maine affidavit is signed before a notary (18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201(1) ("affidavit"); Form AF-102 (Rev. 04/08/20) jurat).
The person paying, delivering, transferring, or issuing personal property pursuant to the affidavit is discharged and released to the same extent as if the person dealt with a personal representative, with no duty to see to the application of the property or inquire into the truth of any statement in the affidavit (§ 3-1202). Recipients remain accountable to any personal representative or person with a superior claim.
Personal property only: the affidavit compels payment of indebtedness and delivery of tangible personal property and instruments evidencing intangible property, though the valuation gate counts the value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances. Real property passes through probate (Maine's informal or formal proceedings), not by affidavit. 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201(1).
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