Estate Planning for Somerset County, Maine Property Owners

For most Somerset 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 Somerset 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 Somerset 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.

Without a recorded beneficiary designation or a trust, Somerset County property passes through the Probate Court — even simple Maine probates run 4+ months and start with $40 in filing fees.

Record a Transfer-on-Death Deed in Somerset County

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

Where to Record Property Documents

Deeds and other real property documents for Somerset County are recorded with the Registry of Deeds, led by Registrar of Deeds Tanya I. Belanger, at 41 Court Street, 1st Floor, Skowhegan, ME 04976. Phone: 207-474-3421. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; recording hours 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

The Registry of Deeds charges $40 flat, regardless of page count. Recording a 2-page transfer on death deed in Somerset County comes to $40. A transfer on death deed is exempt from transfer tax.

Somerset County accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

Registry of Deeds

Somerset County · Registrar of Deeds · Tanya I. Belanger

Address

41 Court Street, 1st FloorSkowhegan, ME 04976

Fax

207-474-2793

Hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; recording hours 8:00 AM - 3:00 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 Somerset County

FirmWaterville, ME

Elder Law Offices of John & Mark Nale

Serves 2 counties

A Waterville elder law firm serving Kennebec and Somerset county families for over 20 years. Handles estate planning, probate, long-term care and MaineCare/Medicaid planning, powers of attorney, health care directives, and guardianships and conservatorships. Member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningGuardianships Conservatorshipsand 4 more

Office
58 Elm StreetWaterville, ME 04901

FirmSkowhegan, ME

Maine Elder Law Attorneys, P.A.

Since 2019 · Serves 1 county

Founded in 2019, this dedicated elder law and estate planning firm in Skowhegan provides full-circle planning including estate and asset protection planning, probate services, long-term care planning, and MaineCare advocacy. Located at the Skowhegan Legal Center.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningGuardianships Conservatorshipsand 2 more

Office
67 Court Street, Suite BSkowhegan, ME 04976

FirmWaterville, ME

O'Donnell Lee Marden Dubord, P.A.

Serves 2 counties

A Waterville general-practice firm serving Kennebec and Somerset counties, formed by the July 2024 merger of O'Donnell Lee with Marden, Dubord, Bernier & Stevens. Handles estate planning, elder law, and probate, and maintains a Maine-Florida practice for snowbird clients.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMunicipal LawProbate Administration

Office
112 Silver StreetWaterville, ME 04903

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

FirmPortland, ME

Drummond Woodsum

Since 1965 · Serves the whole state

A Portland firm founded in 1965 with 100+ attorneys. Its estate planning team handles wills, trusts, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, gift and estate tax matters, business succession, charitable giving, and guardianships and conservatorships, with extensive Maine probate court experience.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTax Planningand 4 more

Office
84 Marginal Way, Suite 600Portland, ME 04101
See all 12 firms serving Somerset 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.