An Act to Amend the Maine Uniform Probate Code
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Probate filed late loses key allowances
If no probate case starts within 3 years of death, a later case faces strict limits. The personal representative may hold assets only to confirm title for successors. Only expenses of administration may be claimed; other claims are barred. The homestead allowance, exempt property, and family allowance cannot be paid in these late cases.
More unions count as marriage for inheritance
The law treats some registered domestic partnerships and legal unions from any state as a marriage for probate. The union must have been validly formed and give substantially the same rights, benefits, and duties as marriage. This can unlock spousal inheritance, property transfer, and other probate rights for surviving partners.
Guardianship ends when the adult dies
A guardian’s legal authority and duties stop when the adult under guardianship dies. Other listed rules govern how a court can end or change a guardianship for reasons other than death.
Easier out-of-state adoption consents with limits
Maine courts accept a surrender or consent from another state if they receive either an affidavit from a lawyer in that state or a court certificate showing the state’s process was followed and consequences were explained. Courts also accept a putative parent’s waiver of notice that meets the listed rule. If the parent’s state has no comparable court, a Maine court must approve the surrender or consent in person, or may allow a videoconference after a motion. Parents who live outside Maine cannot use out-of-state notarization for these surrender or consent papers.
Small change to executor appointment rules
The law deletes one paragraph from the statute on appointing a personal representative for an estate. This is a narrow, technical change. The summary does not describe a specific money effect for households.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 168
5/30/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
5/27/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
5/27/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-200) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-200), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
5/21/2025SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-200).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
5/20/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.On motion by Senator Carney of Cumberland REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218, in concurrence.
4/8/2025SenateRepresentative KUHN for the Probate and Trust Law Advisory Commission pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 18-C, section 1-803, subsection 2, reports that the Bill be REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Report was READ and ACCEPTED.The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on JUDICIARY and ordered printed pursuant to Joint Rule 218.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/3/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-200), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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