How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Maine?
Maine pays executors reasonable compensation18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source, typically 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 the estate.
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. Courts consider the size and complexity of the estate, the time spent, and the executor's skill and experience. Executors can waive the fee entirely or accept a reduced amount.
Maine law says only that compensation must be reasonable; it names no percentage, so no exact figure exists to look up. The estimate is built from the 16 states whose legislatures set an executor fee schedule: each schedule is applied to an estate of the same size, and the middle half of those results is the range, 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 a $500,000 estate. It is an estimate anchored in what other legislatures decided the same work is worth, not a figure from Maine law; the probate court has the final say.
Maine statute does not address how co-executors share compensation. The court sets one reasonable amount for the estate and allocates it among the executors serving.18-C M.R.S. § 3-719Verified Jul 25, 2026View source
Maine does not require a bond of the personal representative by default18-C M.R.S. § 3-603Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. A court can still order one. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.
Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Maine probate: attorney fees of 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, and executor compensation is set separately18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source. Both are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. Estimate the attorney fee with the Maine probate attorney fee calculator.
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Forms for Settling an Estate in Maine
Free forms for settling an estate in Maine: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Small Estate Affidavit
In Maine, the Small Estate Affidavit18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source covers estates with personal property of $52,50018-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source or less, 30 days18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201Verified Sep 8, 2026View source after death, presented directly to the bank or other holder, not filed with a court.
Estate Inventory
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.
Estate Closing
In Maine, the personal representative is discharged automatically once the statutory period runs18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-1003(2), 3-1005Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and a final accounting is required.
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 inheritance taxes.
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.
How Do I Get Appointed as Executor?
In Maine, the County Probate Court appoints the personal representative and the Register of Probate issues Letters of Authority of Personal Representative; an informal (registrar) track is available18-C M.R.S. §§ 3-301, 3-302Verified Sep 8, 2026View source.
What Are the Creditor Claim Deadlines?
In Maine, creditors have 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 from first publication of the creditor notice to present claims; late claims are barred.
What Happens When an Estate Is Insolvent?
When an estate owes more than it holds, Maine pays the claims in 918-C MRS § 3-805Verified Sep 23, 2026View source classes in statutory order, beginning with costs and expenses of administration.
How Do I Open an Estate Account When Someone Dies?
Compare estate-account opening requirements bank by bank: channels, required documents, and steps.
What Is the Estate's Personal Property Worth for Probate?
Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate and see how it affects fees.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate on a $500,000 estate in Maine costs an estimated $26,31318-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. Attorney fees run 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 under a reasonable-compensation standard.
Hire a Maine Probate Attorney
Browse 58 probate firms in Maine with addresses, contact info, and practice details.
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Maine Estate Settlement Resources
In-depth guides covering Maine probate, estate administration, and settling an estate.