Serves Lincoln, Knox, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Kennebec, and Cumberland counties from Damariscotta. Represents personal representatives in estate administration and ancillary administration, administers testamentary and living trusts, files estate and fiduciary tax returns, and handles will contests. Licensed in Maine and Massachusetts, with multi-jurisdictional work for summer residents.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Sagadahoc County, Maine
How probate works in Sagadahoc County: the Probate Court record, what the process costs, and how to file there.
Probate Court Record
Sagadahoc County Probate Court
Sagadahoc County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Office
752 High Street, 3rd Floor, Bath, ME 04530
Website
E-filing
Self-represented filing
Allowed
Self-help forms
E-filing
Required for attorneysAll 16 probate courts take filings through Maine Probate EZ-File, and every party must e-file in a case opened since October 1, 2014, except a self-represented person who has not registered as an e-filer. Each electronic filing carries a $7 fee. On paper: A self-represented party who has not registered as an e-filer may file on paper; An original will or other testamentary document is filed on paper.
Self-represented filing
AllowedThe official Title 18-C probate forms are on the Maine Probate website, and every probate court also has them. Court staff give general and procedural information but no legal advice.
Accepted payment
- At the counterCash, Check, Money order.Credit and debit cards are not accepted.
County forms
- Sagadahoc County Probate Court FormsThe court's printable estate, guardianship, name change and notice forms, grouped by case type.
Fax
1-207-443-8217
About the court
- The Probate Court does not process passport applications; the Bath Post Office and the Topsham Town Office do.
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
How Probate Works in Sagadahoc County
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 Sagadahoc County, probate runs through the Probate Court at 752 High Street, 3rd Floor, Bath.
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. Creditors have 4 months18-C MRS §§ 3-801, 3-803, 3-805, 3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present a claim, counted from the first publication of the notice to creditors.
What Probate Costs in Sagadahoc County
What probate costs in Sagadahoc 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 752 High Street, 3rd Floor, Bath.
Procedures at this court that affect cost: The Notice to Creditors runs in the Times Record.
Maine charges $50 - $1,210+ (based on estate value)18-C M.R.S. § 1-602(2)Verified Oct 17, 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%Modeled estimate under 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): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source to 3.1%Modeled estimate under 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): the hours the statutory fee schedules imply, at the state's surveyed hourly rateVerified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.
Maine allows executors 'reasonable compensation' — around 2.2%–3.8% of a $500,000 estate, judging by what the states with statutory schedules pay18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Family members who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.
Maine requires publishing notice to creditors in a local newspaper, and the estate pays for it.
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 Sagadahoc County, Maine are filed at the Probate Court.
Can You File Without an Attorney?
Maine has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is available18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-301, 3-302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Sagadahoc County Self-Filing Assessment.
What to Bring
Filed with the opening petition at the Probate Court: Original will and any codicils (for testate estates) (18-C M.R.S. §3-301(1)(B)(1)); Application for informal probate/appointment (DE-201(I) with a will, DE-101(I) without) OR Petition for formal probate (DE-201 with a will, DE-101 without), sworn/verified by the applicant (18-C M.R.S. §3-301(1), §3-402); Acceptance/statement of acceptance of the duties of office by the personal representative before letters issue (18-C M.R.S. §3-601 "Qualification"; DE-104 PR Acceptance); Bond only if required by the will, for a special administrator, or by court order (18-C M.R.S. §3-603)18-C M.R.S. §3-103 (appointment & letters), §3-301 (informal application), §3-402 (formal petition contents)Verified Aug 24, 2026View source.
Death Certificates and the Medical Examiner in Sagadahoc County
In Sagadahoc County certified copies of the death certificate come from the Municipal Clerk of the town or city where the death occurred, or from Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Data, Research, and Vital Statistics.
Vital Records Office Record
Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Data, Research, and Vital Statistics
Sagadahoc County · State vital records office
Phone
Hours
9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
220 Capitol Street, Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Website
Certified copies
From the Municipal Clerk of the town or city where the death occurred, or from Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Data, Research, and Vital Statistics
11 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
Certified copy fees
| First certified copy | $15 |
| Each additional copy ordered at the same time | $6 |
Verified October 15, 2026 · Source
Coroner or Medical Examiner Record
State Medical Examiner
Sagadahoc County · Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Phone
Website
Serves this county
Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Cremation authorization
Signed by this office
Verified November 3, 2026 · Source
Transferring Property in Sagadahoc 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 Sagadahoc County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds at 752 High Street, Bath, ME 04530. Phone: 1-207-443-8214. Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count.
Sagadahoc County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.
Recording Office Record
Registry of Deeds
Sagadahoc County
Phone
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Office
752 High Street, Bath, ME 04530
Website
E-recording
available via Simplifile
Fax
1-207-443-8216
Recording fees
| Flat fee (any length) | $40 |
| Transfer tax on a TOD deed | TOD deeds are exempt from transfer tax |
33 MRSA 751; 33 MRSA 752
Verified October 16, 2026 · Source
Forms that put a death on the title
- Free forms: Affidavit of Death Form
Probate Attorneys Serving Sagadahoc County
Maine allows informal probate, so many families settle straightforward estates in Sagadahoc 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, billed hourly or as a flat fee. Ask a Sagadahoc 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.
Serves Kennebec County from Winthrop and meets clients by appointment in the Waterville and Brunswick/Topsham areas. Files to have personal representatives appointed, advises them through paying debts, selling property, and distributing the estate, assists trustees, and represents parties in will contests or serves as mediator. Daniel J. Eccher continues the practice.
Serves clients throughout Maine from One Monument Way in Portland. Its Estate Planning & Elder Law attorneys guide personal representatives through probate administration, handle trust administration, and represent heirs and beneficiaries in will contests and disputes over the distribution of estate property. The firm has represented Maine people and businesses since 1881.
Serves clients in probate courts throughout Maine from Marginal Way in Portland. Its estate planning and administration team represents personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries in administering estates and trusts, handles guardianships and conservatorships, and with the firm's trial group represents clients in contested probate, will, and trust matters. Founded in 1965.
Serves clients throughout Maine from Waterville. Assists personal representatives with probate administration, including the inventory, accounting and distribution of estate assets, works with trustees to administer trusts, and handles guardianships, conservatorships and MaineCare long-term care applications. The firm is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
Represents clients across Maine from Portland, and meets clients in Norway and Rockland by arrangement. Probates estates, administers trusts, advises on estate, gift and fiduciary income tax, and represents parties in probate and trust litigation and in guardianship and conservatorship matters. Founded in 1992 as Maine's first boutique trusts and estates firm.
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.
Legal Sources
(9)·
- 18-C M.R.S. § 1-602(2)
- 18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)
- 18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-301, 3-302
- 18-C M.R.S. §3-103 (appointment & letters), §3-301 (informal application), §3-402 (formal petition contents)
- 18-C MRS §§ 3-801, 3-803, 3-805, 3-806
- 33 MRSA 751; 33 MRSA 752
- Sagadahoc County Probate Court, official page
- Sagadahoc County Registry of Deeds, official page
- Sagadahoc County vital records and death investigation offices, official page
Data sourced from Maine statutes and official state code. Fee percentages are modeled estimates; each figure's note says how. How we research.
Tools for Settling an Estate in Maine
Free tools for settling an estate in Maine: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines and taxes. Run each tool for Maine.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Maine: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 days18-C MRSA §§ 3-706, 3-707, 3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 months18-C MRS §§ 3-801, 3-803, 3-805, 3-806Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
See the Steps
How Do I Settle a Trust?
Settling a trust in Maine happens outside court: the trustee acts under the state's Uniform Trust Code18-B M.R.S. § 101 et seq.Verified Oct 17, 2026View source, notifies the beneficiaries within 60 days18-B MRSA §§ 813, 1005, 105Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, then pays the debts and distributes under the trust's terms.
See the Steps
Can I Self-File Probate?
Maine has no statewide fill-in probate petition, so the opening petition is drafted as a legal pleading, and informal probate is available18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-301, 3-302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
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