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Maine Probate Timeline Calculator

Most Uniform Probate Code states give creditors a year or more if notice is never given. Maine's default outer limit is just 9 months from death — among the shortest in the country.

Based on 18-C M.R.S. § 3-801 & 3-803 FigureMyTax Editorial Team Free · no sign-up

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Your Maine probate

Pick the options that match your estate — the estimate updates instantly.

Estimated timeline in Maine
9–18 months
Informal probate, uncontested
Informal vs formal vs supervised? →
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Maine's probate timeline, at a glance

MilestoneMaine ruleSource
Voluntary Administration eligiblePersonal property only, currently about $52,500 or less, no real estate18-C § 3-1201
Heirs and devisees notifiedWithin 30 days of appointment18-C probate practice
Inventory filedWithin 3 months of appointment18-C probate practice
Notice to creditors publishedOnce a week, 2 successive weeks§ 3-801(1)
Creditor claim barEarlier of 9 months after death, or the notice-based deadline§ 3-803(1)
Disallowed claim, creditor's window to sue60 days from mailed notice of disallowance18-C § 3-806

Maine probate timeline — frequently asked questions

How long does probate take in Maine?

Informal probate commonly takes 9 to 18 months, driven by the creditor claim period. Formal unsupervised probate typically runs 12 to 18 months, and supervised formal probate 18 to 24 months or more.

How long do Maine creditors have to file a claim?

4 months from the date of first publication, or the later of that or 60 days from mailed notice for a known creditor — but the outer bar is whichever comes earlier between that notice deadline and 9 months after the date of death.

Why is Maine's 9-month outer bar unusually short?

Most Uniform Probate Code states set an outer limit of 1 to 3 years when notice to creditors is never given. Maine's default is just 9 months from the date of death under Title 18-C Section 3-803.

Does Maine have an estate or inheritance tax?

Maine has no inheritance tax, but it does have its own separate state estate tax under 36 M.R.S. Chapter 575, with a $7,160,000 exemption (2026) and rates from 8% to 12%.

Maine probate tools & guides

Maine Probate DeadlinesEvery statutory date, with citations What Delays Probate in MaineThe real causes, beyond the baseline Informal vs Formal vs SupervisedWhich one applies to your estate Maine Probate vs Living TrustWould a trust have avoided this?

This calculator provides an estimate for general guidance only and is not legal advice. Figures are based on Maine statute (18-C M.R.S. § 3-801, 3-803, 3-806, 3-1201). Actual timelines depend on the specific Probate Court and whether the estate is contested. Confirm current timelines with the Probate Court or a licensed Maine attorney before acting.