For most Penobscot 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.
For a Penobscot 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 Penobscot 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.
A transfer on death deed names a beneficiary who receives Penobscot 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.
Deeds and other real property documents for Penobscot County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Register of Deeds Susan F. Bulay, at 97 Hammond Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Phone: 207-942-8797. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Documents submitted by mail go to PO Box 2070, Bangor, ME 04402-2070.
The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count. A 2-page transfer on death deed costs $40 to record in Penobscot County. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.
Penobscot County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Penobscot County · Register of Deeds · Susan F. Bulay
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
FirmBangor, ME
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
FirmBangor, ME
Over three decades of experience helping Maine families with wills, estate planning, trusts, and probate matters. Located in downtown Bangor, the firm regularly serves clients throughout Penobscot County including Brewer, Lincoln, Newport, and Old Town. Offers a free 30-minute initial consultation.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmOrono, ME
Serves the Bangor area from Orono, practicing since 1974. Handles estate planning, probate, and real estate for Penobscot County families, with over 90 years of combined attorney experience across 21,000+ cases.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
FirmBangor, ME
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
FirmHampden, ME
A small firm specializing in probate law, wills, and estate planning with over 45 years of experience helping Maine clients. Located in Hampden, serving the greater Bangor area. Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished peer review rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbate AdministrationWills Trusts
Solo PracticeHoulton, ME
Serves northern Maine from Houlton, representing clients in Aroostook, Washington, and Penobscot counties. Attorney David J. Edgar, practicing since 1976, handles wills, trusts, irrevocable trusts, guardianships, powers of attorney, estate and gift tax planning, and all probate matters, including contested estates before the Maine probate court.
PracticesEstate PlanningTax PlanningGuardianships ConservatorshipsPowers Of Attorneyand 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.
Estate planning articles for Maine.
Forms and tools for property owners in Penobscot County.
Create a revocable living trust to avoid probate, protect privacy, and control asset distribution.
Create a free, state-specific will with witness and notarization requirements included.
Transfer assets to your existing trust. State execution requirements included.
Transfer real property to a beneficiary upon your death without probate.
Designate someone to make medical decisions on your behalf.
Designate someone to manage your financial affairs.
Answer questions about your estate size, real estate ownership, marital status, and family situation to see how a revocable trust compares to a will alone. Includes estimated probate costs for your state.
Answer questions about your property type, ownership structure, and estate plan to see if a TOD deed is the right approach. Includes state-specific availability, signing requirements, and recording fees.
Compare trusts vs wills for your specific situation. See probate costs, trust administration expenses, and whether your estate qualifies for simplified procedures based on your state and estate value.
Find out who inherits your estate and how much they get if you die without a will. Based on your state's intestate succession laws.
Compare the cost of creating a revocable living trust. See how SimplyTrust, Trust & Will, LegalZoom, and attorneys compare over 5 years including life events.
Estate planning articles for Maine.
