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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationMaine

The small estate affidavit in Maine

Where Maine law lets a smaller estate be settled without full probate, these are the official words on how: who may use the route, what it covers and what the paperwork must say. Whether a particular estate fits is for the court, the bank or company holding the asset, or an attorney in Maine; nothing on this page decides it.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

The free first-week checklist

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

The affidavit: the waiting period, the value limit and its inflation adjustment, and no pending appointment

Thirty days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the personal property…

The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $40,000, adjusted for inflation pursuant to section 1‑108;

No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; and

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201(1)

How the dollar limit is adjusted for inflation, by the year of death

these dollar amounts must be increased or decreased if the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year immediately preceding the year of death exceeds or is less than the reference base index.

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §1-108(2)

Where the court publishes the adjusted limit each year

A county probate court shall annually publish on the court's publicly accessible website the value described in subsection 1, paragraph A, including the adjustment for inflation.

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201(3)

The court’s affidavit form: how it refers to the limit, and the waiting period it states

The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the amount provided in 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201, adjusted for inflation as provided in 18-C M.R.S. § 1- 108; thirty (30) days have elapsed since the death of the Decedent

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Maine Probate Courts form AF-102 (Rev. 04/08/20)

Summary administration: when allowances and expenses use up the estate, and distributing without notice to creditors

If it appears from the inventory and appraisal that the value of the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed homestead allowance, exempt property, family allowance, costs and expenses of administration, reasonable funeral expenses and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, the personal representative, without giving notice to creditors, may immediately disburse and distribute the estate…

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1203

The court’s closing statement form for a small estate, by name

DE-603 Closing Statement for Small Estate

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Maine Probate Courts form DE-603

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

Thirty days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the personal property…

The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $40,000, adjusted for inflation pursuant to section 1‑108;

No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; and

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201(1)

these dollar amounts must be increased or decreased if the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year immediately preceding the year of death exceeds or is less than the reference base index.

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §1-108(2)

A county probate court shall annually publish on the court's publicly accessible website the value described in subsection 1, paragraph A, including the adjustment for inflation.

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201(3)

Thirty days after the death of a decedent, any person indebted to the decedent or having possession of personal property or an instrument evidencing a debt, obligation, stock or chose in action belonging to the decedent shall make payment of the indebtedness or deliver the personal property…

The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed $40,000, adjusted for inflation pursuant to section 1‑108;

No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction; and

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201(1)

The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the amount provided in 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201, adjusted for inflation as provided in 18-C M.R.S. § 1- 108; thirty (30) days have elapsed since the death of the Decedent

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Maine Probate Courts form AF-102 (Rev. 04/08/20)

The value of the entire estate, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed the amount provided in 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201, adjusted for inflation as provided in 18-C M.R.S. § 1- 108; thirty (30) days have elapsed since the death of the Decedent

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Maine Probate Courts form AF-102 (Rev. 04/08/20)

A county probate court shall annually publish on the court's publicly accessible website the value described in subsection 1, paragraph A, including the adjustment for inflation.

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1201(3)

If it appears from the inventory and appraisal that the value of the entire estate, less liens and encumbrances, does not exceed homestead allowance, exempt property, family allowance, costs and expenses of administration, reasonable funeral expenses and reasonable and necessary medical and hospital expenses of the last illness of the decedent, the personal representative, without giving notice to creditors, may immediately disburse and distribute the estate…

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · 18-C M.R.S. §3-1203

DE-603 Closing Statement for Small Estate

Maine · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · Maine Probate Courts form DE-603

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.

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