Probate in Knox 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 Knox 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
Knox County
Address
Phone
Fax
Hours
Accepted paymentCash, Check, Credit card, Debit card. Accepted for probate filings.
Additional phone: 207-594-0444. Records maintained from 1860 to present (prior records filed in Waldo or Lincoln Counties). Passport services available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (excluding holidays).
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 Knox County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 62 Union Street, First Floor, Rockland.
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 Knox 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 62 Union Street, First Floor, Rockland.
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 Knox 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 Knox County Self-Filing Assessment.
Before You Go
Cash, Check, Credit card, Debit card. Accepted for probate filings.
First and third Wednesday of each 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 Knox County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Registrar of Deeds Madelene Cole, at 62 Union Street, Rockland, ME 04841. Phone: 207-594-0422. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; recordings stop at 3:30 PM.
The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count.
Knox County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Knox County · Registrar of Deeds · Madelene Cole
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 Knox 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 Knox 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.
FirmRockland, ME
Attorneys serving as trusted advisors to local families and businesses since 1901. Represents clients in all Maine Courts including Probate Court, District Court, Superior Court and before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and US Federal Courts.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate Administration
Solo PracticeRockland, ME
A solo practice in Rockland serving the midcoast Maine area. Crystal Tarjick focuses on facilitating complex situations and works directly with clients one-on-one for personalized estate planning services.
PracticesEstate PlanningWills Trusts
Solo PracticeCamden, ME
A dedicated estate planning and elder law practice in Camden serving midcoast Maine. Attorney Jesse Bifulco has 25+ years of experience helping families with wills, trusts, probate, MaineCare planning, and second-home estate planning. Offers regular free estate planning workshops in the midcoast region.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmRockland, ME
A Rockland firm serving midcoast Maine since 1963. Handles estate planning, probate, and elder law for residents of Knox, Lincoln, Waldo, and surrounding counties.
PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawProbate Administration
Solo PracticeDamariscotta, ME
Operating since 1987, this solo practice serves the midcoast region handling everything from simple wills to complex multi-jurisdictional estate planning. Admitted to practice in Maine and Massachusetts, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Member of MSBA Elder Law and Estates & Trusts committees.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawTax Planningand 3 more
FirmPortland, ME
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
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.
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
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.
Total probate assets (exclude beneficiary-designated accounts)
Enter your state and estate value to get a personalized recommendation with estimated cost savings.
Score-based assessment with reasoning
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 Knox 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.
