Estate Planning for Hancock County, Maine Property Owners

For most Hancock 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 Hancock 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 Hancock 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 Hancock County

A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Hancock 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 →Hancock Countysigning requirements →

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Hancock County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Julie Curtis, at 50 State Street, Suite 9, Ellsworth, ME 04605. Phone: 207-667-8353. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM; recording hours 8:30 AM - 3:50 PM.

Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 1059, Ellsworth, ME 04605.

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

Hancock County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Registry of Deeds

Hancock County · Register of Deeds · Julie Curtis

Address

50 State Street, Suite 9Ellsworth, ME 04605Mailing: PO Box 1059, Ellsworth, ME 04605

Fax

207-667-1410

Hours

Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM; recording hours 8:30 AM - 3:50 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 Hancock County

FirmEllsworth, ME

Hale & Hamlin, LLC

Since 1883 · Serves 3 counties

Maine's oldest firm (established 1883), based in Ellsworth and serving Hancock, Penobscot, and Washington counties. Handles estate planning, probate, and probate litigation, including trust creation and administration, trustee services, wills, durable powers of attorney, and property transfers.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate LitigationGuardianships ConservatorshipsPowers Of Attorneyand 2 more

Office
66 Main Street, Suite 302Ellsworth, ME 04605

FirmEllsworth, ME

JKS, LLC

Serves 1 county

Formerly Jones, Kuriloff & Sargent, LLC, rebranded as JKS, LLC effective January 1, 2026. Specializes in trusts, estate planning, elder law, probate, and related matters. Jeffrey Jones has been practicing trust and estate law in Ellsworth since 1985 and serves on the Maine Probate and Trust Law Advisory Commission (PATLAC).

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianships ConservatorshipsProbate Administration

Office
134 Surry RoadEllsworth, ME 04605

FirmBangor, ME

Farrell, Rosenblatt & Russell

Serves 3 counties

A broad-based general practice law firm in Bangor serving individuals, businesses, non-profits, and municipalities. Received a Distinguished rating in 2026. Multiple attorneys handle estate planning and probate matters.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration

Office
61 Main Street, Suite 1Bangor, ME 04402

FirmBangor, ME

Maine Elder Law Firm LLC

Serves 4 counties

One of the first firms in Maine to focus exclusively on the legal needs of aging Mainers. Provides wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, estate and trust administration, asset protection and long-term care planning, MaineCare planning, special needs trusts, and guardianships and conservatorships. Serves Central, Eastern, and Northern Maine.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 3 more

Office
33 Mildred AvenueBangor, ME 04401

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

FirmPortland, ME

Drummond & Drummond, LLP

Since 1881 · Serves the whole state

A Portland firm representing Maine people and businesses since 1881. Its Estate Planning & Elder Law team prepares wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, living trusts, and special needs trusts, and handles probate, estate and trust administration, and estate disputes throughout Maine.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawSpecial Needs Planningand 2 more

Office
One Monument WayPortland, ME 04101
See all 13 firms serving Hancock 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.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Legal Sources

Data sourced from Maine statutes and official state code. How we research.

Maine Estate Planning Articles

Estate planning articles for Maine.