Maine allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Cumberland 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, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Cumberland 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.
FirmYork, ME
Serves 2 counties
Serves York and Cumberland counties from offices in York and Kennebunk, with Portland meetings by appointment. The practice is limited to probate, estate planning with wills and revocable and irrevocable trusts, elder law asset protection, and MaineCare/Medicaid applications. Attorneys are also licensed in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and the firm offers free virtual introductory sessions.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateElder LawAsset ProtectionMedicaid Planning
- Office
- 279 York StreetYork, ME 03909
FirmSouth Portland, ME
Serves 2 counties
Serves Cumberland and Franklin counties from South Portland and Kingfield. Its probate team handles estate and trust administration, probate litigation over contested wills, guardianships and conservatorships, and MaineCare nursing home planning. The firm has practiced in the Greater Portland area for over 40 years.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 7 more
- Office
- 7 Ocean StreetSouth Portland, ME 04106
FirmPortland, ME
Since 1915 · Serves 2 counties
Serves Cumberland and Kennebec counties from offices in Portland and Augusta. Its Trusts & Estates group handles estate and trust administration, represents executors and trustees, prepares estate and gift tax returns, and resolves trust and estate disputes. Founded in Portland in 1915.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 2 more
- Office
- 100 Middle Street, West TowerPortland, ME 04101
FirmPortland, ME
Since 2014 · Serves 1 county
Serves Cumberland County from Portland's Old Port. Handles probate, estate and trust administration, probate litigation, and guardianships, conservatorships, and other protective arrangements, along with wills and special needs planning. Founded in 2014; its founder wrote the guardianship and conservatorship chapter of "A Practical Guide to Probate in Maine."
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 1 Union Street, Suite 501Portland, ME 04101
FirmFalmouth, ME
Serves 1 county
Serves Greater Portland and the Lakes Region from offices in Falmouth and Bridgton. A probate, estate and trust administration group guides personal representatives and trustees, including the accounting of estate assets, and the firm handles guardianships, conservatorships, and MaineCare applications. Of counsel Patricia Nelson-Reade is a certified elder law attorney and registered nurse.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 8 more
- Office
- 261 US Route 1, Suite 201Falmouth, ME 04105
Solo PracticeDamariscotta, ME
Since 1987 · Serves 6 counties
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.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateProbate Litigationand 8 more
- Office
- 10 Bristol RoadDamariscotta, ME 04543
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.
