What to Do When Someone Dies in Hancock County, Maine
Probate in Hancock 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 Hancock 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 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 Hancock County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 50 State Street, Suite 6, Ellsworth.
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 Hancock County
What probate costs in Hancock 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 50 State Street, Suite 6, Ellsworth.
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.
How to File Probate at the Probate Court
Probate cases in Hancock County are filed at the Probate Court. File in person during business hours or by mail.
How to File Your Documents
Paper Filing Available
You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the Probate Court is realistic.
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.
Transferring Property in Hancock County
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 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.
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
Maine allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Hancock 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 Hancock 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.
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
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).
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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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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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.
Hancock County Guides
Step-by-step tools for families in Hancock County, Maine.
