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Home→Tools→Personal Property Value Estimator→Maine

What Are My Personal Items Worth for Probate in Maine?

Estimate the fair market value of household items for probate in Maine. See how reporting accurate values instead of purchase prices affects your probate fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal property in Maine is valued at fair market value — what the item would sell for on the open market, not the original purchase price.18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable fees), § 3-603 (bond), § 3-801 (notice to creditors; 4 months from first publication), § 3-803 (creditor claim limitations; 9-month absolute bar from death), § 3-1201 (small estate affidavit; $40K base CPI-indexed), § 1-108 (CPI adjustment), § 1-602 (graduated probate filing fees: $40 to $1,200+); Maine Probate Courts COLA table at maineprobate.net (2026 § 3-1201 adjusted amount: $52,500); PL 2025 c. 76 (2025 amendment adding § 1-108 cross-reference to § 3-1201)Verified May 31, 2026 Most household items (furniture, electronics, clothing) lose 50-90% of their value. Professional appraisals are used for art, collectibles, jewelry, and other high-value items.

Yes. Maine probate fees are typically 2-4% of the estate value, which includes personal property.18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable fees), § 3-603 (bond), § 3-801 (notice to creditors; 4 months from first publication), § 3-803 (creditor claim limitations; 9-month absolute bar from death), § 3-1201 (small estate affidavit; $40K base CPI-indexed), § 1-108 (CPI adjustment), § 1-602 (graduated probate filing fees: $40 to $1,200+); Maine Probate Courts COLA table at maineprobate.net (2026 § 3-1201 adjusted amount: $52,500); PL 2025 c. 76 (2025 amendment adding § 1-108 cross-reference to § 3-1201)Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate fair market valuations — rather than purchase prices — keep the reported estate value lower. Use the Maine probate calculator to estimate total costs.

Estates with personal property under $52,500 in Maine may qualify for Small Estate Affidavit, which avoids full probate.18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable fees), § 3-603 (bond), § 3-801 (notice to creditors; 4 months from first publication), § 3-803 (creditor claim limitations; 9-month absolute bar from death), § 3-1201 (small estate affidavit; $40K base CPI-indexed), § 1-108 (CPI adjustment), § 1-602 (graduated probate filing fees: $40 to $1,200+); Maine Probate Courts COLA table at maineprobate.net (2026 § 3-1201 adjusted amount: $52,500); PL 2025 c. 76 (2025 amendment adding § 1-108 cross-reference to § 3-1201)Verified May 31, 2026 Accurate valuation at fair market value can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the Maine probate need checker.

High-value items such as art, antiques, jewelry, and collectibles typically require professional appraisals. For typical household items — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing — fair market value can be estimated using comparable sales data. Maine probate courts require the executor to file an inventory with values for all personal property.18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable fees), § 3-603 (bond), § 3-801 (notice to creditors; 4 months from first publication), § 3-803 (creditor claim limitations; 9-month absolute bar from death), § 3-1201 (small estate affidavit; $40K base CPI-indexed), § 1-108 (CPI adjustment), § 1-602 (graduated probate filing fees: $40 to $1,200+); Maine Probate Courts COLA table at maineprobate.net (2026 § 3-1201 adjusted amount: $52,500); PL 2025 c. 76 (2025 amendment adding § 1-108 cross-reference to § 3-1201)Verified May 31, 2026

Total probate costs in Maine include attorney fees, executor fees, court filing fees, and publication costs. Personal property value is one component of the gross estate that determines fee calculations. The Maine probate calculator provides a complete cost breakdown.

Not necessarily. Items with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts), jointly held property, and assets in a trust bypass probate. Only personal property owned solely by the deceased passes through probate in Maine. The Maine probate need checker determines which assets require probate.

Personal Property Valuation in Maine

Maine probate attorneys charge 2%18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage); § 3-720 (estate litigation expenses)Verified May 31, 2026 to 4%18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage); § 3-720 (estate litigation expenses)Verified May 31, 2026 of estate value as reasonable compensation. The personal property inventory contributes to that total, making accurate fair market valuations important for controlling costs.

Estates with personal property under $52,500§ 3-1201Verified May 31, 2026 in Maine may qualify for simplified procedures that avoid formal probate. Accurate valuation can determine whether the estate falls below this threshold. Check eligibility with the probate need checker.

Beyond the $40 - $1,200+ (based on estate value)18-C M.R.S. § 1-602Verified May 31, 2026 court filing fee, Maine probate costs include attorney fees, executor compensation, and publication expenses — all influenced by estate value. See a full estimate with the probate calculator.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated May 31, 2026

Legal Sources

  • § 3-1201
  • 18-C M.R.S. § 1-602
  • 18-C M.R.S. § 3-719 (reasonable compensation; no statutory percentage); § 3-720 (estate litigation expenses)

Data sourced from Maine statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Maine Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering Maine probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Click to add a row

Build your property inventory

Click categories on the left to add items. Name each item, pick a type, and enter what you paid.

These estimates are based on general resale market data and insurance industry depreciation guides. They are approximations, not professional appraisals. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay on the open market. For high-value items or contested estates, consult a certified appraiser.

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