Probate in Androscoggin County runs through the Probate Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.
When someone dies in Androscoggin County, settling their estate runs through the Probate Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.
Probate Court Record
Androscoggin County
Address
Fax
Hours
Registry also accepts applications for Passport Books and Passport Cards, Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Passport photos available.
Verified July 3, 2026 · Source
Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Androscoggin County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 2 Turner Street, Unit 5 (1st Floor), Auburn.
The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Maine intestacy law when there is no will.
Most Maine estates take 6 months to 12 months to move through this process. The 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 creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.
What probate costs in Androscoggin County, Maine comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the Probate Court at 2 Turner Street, Unit 5 (1st Floor), Auburn.
Maine charges $40 - $1,200+ (based on estate value)18-C M.R.S. § 1-602(2)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.
Estimate the costs for this estate:
Attorney fees in Maine are negotiated, typically 1.9%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Executor compensation is based on reasonable pay for time and effort — the states that do set a schedule pay 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 estate value. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Maine requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.
Probate in Maine typically runs 6 months to 12 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.
Probate cases in Androscoggin County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
How to File Your Documents
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate Court is realistic.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Androscoggin County Self-Filing Assessment.
Before You Go
Twice per month
To file at the Probate Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.
Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the Registry of Deeds.
Deeds and other real property documents for Androscoggin County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Tina Chouinard, at 2 Turner Street, Unit 4, Auburn, ME 04210. Phone: 207-782-0191. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM; recording hours 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM.
The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count.
Androscoggin County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Androscoggin County · Register of Deeds · Tina Chouinard
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
E-recording
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | Exempt |
33 MRSA 751; 33 MRSA 752
Verified September 6, 2026 · Source
Maine allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Androscoggin County without hiring an attorney. A probate attorney earns the fee when the estate is contested, includes a business or out-of-state real estate, has unclear or insolvent debts, or when beneficiaries disagree.
Probate attorney fees in Maine are based on reasonable compensation — typically 1.9%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%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)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of the estate's value, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Androscoggin County firm to quote a structure up front.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Probate Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
FirmLisbon Falls, ME
One of central and midcoast Maine's established firms, working from Lisbon Falls. Handles estate planning and probate administration for families in Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, and Cumberland counties, alongside general litigation.
PracticesEstate PlanningGeneral LitigationProbate Administration
FirmLewiston, ME
Serving Maine seniors and their families since 1996, now practicing as Kienitz and Pross. Kathleen Kienitz is one of the first certified elder law attorneys (CELA) in Maine with over 30 years of practice and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningLong Term Care PlanningProbate Administration
Solo PracticeLewiston, ME
Attorney Michael L. Dubois has over 37 years of experience with probate and estate planning matters. Serves clients in Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding communities in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Oxford and Kennebec Counties. Member of the Maine State Bar Association and American Bar Association.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration
FirmLewiston, ME
Attorneys serving clients for over 170 years. Provides responsive and reasonably priced legal services for wills and trusts, estate and gift tax planning, prenuptial agreements, and MaineCare advice.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate Tax PlanningMaincare PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmAugusta, ME
Founded in 1977 by Jim Mitchell and Jed Davis, both Princeton University and Yale Law School graduates. Provides reliable counsel at a reasonable rate for estate administration matters. Serves clients in Lewiston, Auburn, Waterville, Augusta, Gardiner, and surrounding areas.
PracticesEstate PlanningEstate DisputesProbate AdministrationTrusts
Solo PracticeTopsham, ME
A Topsham solo practice serving southern and midcoast Maine, including Bath, Brunswick, and Freeport. Attorney Richard Regan handles estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, and guardianships and conservatorships, alongside bankruptcy and personal injury work, with over three decades of experience. Offers a free initial phone consultation across all practice areas.
PracticesEstate PlanningGuardianships ConservatorshipsProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
Data sourced from Maine statutes and official state code. How we research.
Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.
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Vehicles, jewelry, collectibles, etc.
Mortgages, credit cards, loans, etc.
Living trust assets, and accounts with a named beneficiary or surviving joint owner. These skip probate; some states charge the court fee only on what remains.
Select your state and enter an estate value to see a detailed cost estimate.
Probate fee bases vary by state and may use gross estate, personal property, inventory value, or net property after debts. This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Actual costs vary significantly by county, attorney, and estate complexity. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
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Cost comparison vs. hiring an attorney
This tool provides general information about self-filing probate and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for guidance specific to your situation.
Step-by-step tools for families in Androscoggin County, Maine.
Get a personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away. Covers trust administration, probate, and intestate estates.
Get a personalized plan for settling a trust after the grantor passes away. Covers beneficiary notification, asset transfers, creditor handling, taxes, and distributions.
Get a score-based recommendation on whether self-filing probate is right for your situation. See estimated savings vs. hiring an attorney and get a step-by-step checklist.
Browse vetted Maine attorneys handling probate matters.
