What Do I Need to Sign My Will in Maine?
Witness, notary, and remote online notarization (RON) requirements for wills in Maine.
Maine requires 2 witnesses for a will18-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. A witness must be at least 18 years old.
Maine does not require notarization for a will to be valid18-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source. The notary's usual role in Maine is the optional self-proving affidavit: a notarized statement signed with the will that lets it enter probate without locating the witnesses.
Maine has authorized remote online notarization for many documents4 M.R.S. § 1915Verified Sep 9, 2026View source, but wills are excluded4 M.R.S. § 1915Verified Sep 9, 2026View source; the notarization happens in person.
To execute a will in Maine: Find 2 adults to serve as witnesses. Review witness restrictions to ensure eligibility. Get the document notarized (standard practice, not required). Wet signature and in-person signing required
Yes. Maine has adopted the Uniform Probate Code, which validates a will under any of three tests: it complied with the law of the place of execution, the law of the testator's domicile when signed, or the law of the testator's domicile at death (UPC § 2-506). The practical wrinkle is the self-proving affidavit: without one, the witnesses may need to testify when the will enters probate. The Maine document portability tool carries the recognition rule by document type.
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Free forms for planning your estate in Maine: a will, living trust, pour-over will, both powers of attorney, living will, and TOD deed.
Last Will and Testament
In Maine, a will is signed before 218-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses, and a self-proving affidavit signed with it lets the court admit it without witness testimony18-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Maine requires 218-C M.R.S. § 5-805Verified Oct 15, 2026View source witnesses for a healthcare power of attorney; notarization is not required18-C M.R.S. § 5-805Verified Oct 15, 2026View source.
Financial Power of Attorney
Maine treats a power of attorney as durable by default18-C M.R.S. § 5-905, § 5-904, § 5-906, § 5-907, § 5-909, § 5-913, § 5-931, § 5-951Verified Sep 18, 2026View source, and it is signed before a notary18-C M.R.S. § 5-905, § 5-904, § 5-906, § 5-907, § 5-909, § 5-913, § 5-931, § 5-951Verified Sep 18, 2026View source.
Transfer on Death Deed
In Maine, a transfer on death deed is signed before a notary18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Oct 18, 2026View source, then recorded with the county before the owner's death18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Oct 18, 2026View source.
Living Will
In Maine, the living will is the Advance Health Care Directive18-C M.R.S. §§ 5-801 to 5-817 (Title 18-C, Article 5, Part 8, Uniform Health Care Decisions Act)Verified Sep 27, 2026View source, a written instruction that is valid with no agent named.
Pour-Over Will
In Maine, a pour-over will is signed before 218-C M.R.S. § 2-502Verified Oct 18, 2026View source witnesses and moves anything left outside the trust into it through probate.
Tools for Planning Your Estate in Maine
Free tools for planning your estate in Maine: what a will or trust costs, whether you need a trust or TOD deed, and how documents are signed.
Will My Estate Documents Transfer?
Check if estate planning documents signed in one state are valid in another.
Trust or Will: Which Costs Less?
In Maine, a will-based plan pays 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; a funded revocable trust keeps those assets out of probate and off that fee.
How Much Does a Revocable Living Trust Cost?
An attorney-prepared revocable living trust in Maine runs $5,390Estimate: 10 hours at $539, Clio's Maine Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $8,085Estimate: 15 hours at $539, Clio's Maine Trusts rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source for an individual, against $0 to $549 up front plus a subscription with an online service.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
An attorney-prepared will in Maine runs $1,029Estimate: 3 hours at $343, Clio's Maine Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source to $2,058Estimate: 6 hours at $343, Clio's Maine Wills and Estates rate; Compare Lawyer Rates, 2025 dataVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, against $0 to $299 up front with an online service, and probate on a $500,000 estate adds about $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.
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How Do I Name a Guardian for My Minor Children?
In Maine, a parent names a guardian for a minor child in a will or a separate signed writingMe. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §§ 5-202, 5-203, 5-204Verified Sep 15, 2026View source, and the nomination covers the child until the age of majority, 18Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 1, §§ 72(2-B), 73Verified Sep 15, 2026View source.
Do I Need a Revocable Trust?
Probate in Maine takes 4 months to 6 months for a simple estate and charges 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; assets held in a revocable trust skip both.
Do I Need a TOD Deed?
Maine authorizes transfer on death deeds18-C M.R.S. 6-401 to 6-420Verified Oct 17, 2026View source: a recorded, revocable deed that passes real property at death outside probate.
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Maine Estate Planning Resources
In-depth guides covering Maine probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.