Estate Planning for Franklin County, Maine Property Owners

For most Franklin County homeowners, the house is what drags an estate into probate. A transfer-on-death deed or a living trust keeps it out—here is how to set up either one and record it locally.

Record a TOD deedWhere to recordLocal attorneys

For a Franklin County property owner, the biggest probate risk is the home itself. Real estate is what forces most families into the Probate Court. The two tools that keep a Franklin County home out of probate are a transfer-on-death deed recorded with the Registry of Deeds, and a revocable living trust that holds title to the property.

Skipping this planning step means the Probate Court decides who receives the property: a simple Maine probate takes 4+ months and opens with $40 in court filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Franklin County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Franklin County property automatically at the owner's death, without probate. It is recorded with the Registry of Deeds during the owner's lifetime and can be revoked at any time.

Before recording, a Maine transfer on death deed is signed with notary acknowledgment18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Aug 24, 2026View source. The deed takes effect only if it is recorded before the owner's death18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.

Create a MaineTOD deed →Franklin Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Franklin County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Susan A. Black, at 140 Main Street, Suite 5, Farmington, ME 04938. Phone: 207-778-5889. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $40 to record in Franklin County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Franklin County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Registry of Deeds

Franklin County · Register of Deeds · Susan A. Black

Address

140 Main Street, Suite 5Farmington, ME 04938

Fax

207-778-5899

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

E-recording

Available via Simplifile
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$40
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

33 MRSA 751; 33 MRSA 752

Open in Google Maps

Verified September 6, 2026 · Source

Estate Planning Attorneys Serving Franklin County

Solo PracticeFarmington, ME

Cullenberg Law Offices

Since 1981 · Serves 1 county

Attorney Ronald J. Cullenberg has practiced for over 40 years in Farmington, serving Franklin County and throughout Maine. Previously served as Assistant Attorney General for Maine and Assistant General Counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers before establishing the firm in 1981. Initial telephone calls are handled at no charge.

PracticesEstate PlanningEstate DisputesProbate AdministrationWills Trusts

Office
120 BroadwayFarmington, ME 04938
Free consultation

FirmLewiston, ME

Elder Law Office of Kienitz and Pross, P.A.

Serves 3 counties

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

Office
443 Main StreetLewiston, ME 04240

Solo PracticeLewiston, ME

Michael L. Dubois, P.A.

Serves 5 counties

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

Office
588 Main StreetLewiston, ME 04240

FirmFarmington, ME

Mills & Mills

Serves 1 county

A multi-generational Farmington law firm with over a century of experience guiding Franklin County families through probate, estate, and real estate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningGeneral PracticeProbate AdministrationReal Estate Law

Office
163 Main StreetFarmington, ME 04938

FirmLewiston, ME

Skelton, Taintor & Abbott

Since 1853 · Serves 3 counties

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

Office
500 Canal StreetLewiston, ME 04240

FirmPortland, ME

Bernstein Shur

Since 1915 · Serves the whole state

A Portland-founded firm (1915) and one of northern New England's largest, with 100+ attorneys. Its Trusts & Estates group handles estate and trust administration, probate, business succession, charitable planning, and fiduciary representation for Maine families and executors.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationTax PlanningBusiness Successionand 2 more

Office
100 Middle Street, West TowerPortland, ME 04101
See all 14 firms serving Franklin County→

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.

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