The figures on this page are general estimates. Laws, fees, thresholds, and prices differ by state and change often, and your own situation may change the result. Before you act, confirm the current numbers and rules for Maine with a licensed professional — an attorney, tax advisor, or licensed agent as appropriate. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship.
When the clock starts in Maine
The single fact that governs every other date on this page: in Maine the creditor-claim period runs from the date of first publication of the notice to creditors.
This is not the same in every state. Some states run the period from the date of death, others from the date letters are issued to the personal representative, others from first publication of the notice to creditors. A deadline calculated from the wrong event is simply wrong, and a missed claim deadline is not curable.
Maine deadlines at a glance
| Deadline | Maine | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Three months after appointment. The personal representative files the inventory with the court or mails it to interested persons who request it. | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-706(1) |
| Creditor claim period | Four months after the date of first publication of the notice to creditors. Where written notice is given to a particular creditor, that creditor has the later of the 4-month published period or 60 days after the mailing or other delivery of the notice. | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-801 |
| Outer claim bar | Section 3-801 states that claims not presented within the published period are forever barred. No separate outer limit was retrieved for this entry. | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-801 |
The inventory deadline, as written
Within 3 months after appointment, a personal representative who is not a special administrator or a successor to another personal representative who has previously discharged this duty shall prepare and file with the court or mail to all interested persons who request it an inventory of property owned by the decedent at the time of death, listing it with reasonable detail and indicating as to each listed item its fair market value as of the date of death.
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-706(1)
The creditor-claim period, as written
…notice to creditors announcing the appointment and the personal representative's address and notifying creditors of the estate to present their claims within 4 months after the date of the first publication of the notice or be forever barred. A personal representative may give written notice by mail or other delivery to a creditor, notifying the creditor to present the creditor's claim within 4 months after the published notice… or within 60 days after the mailing or other delivery of the notice, whichever is later.
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-801
What this page does not state
Where a figure is not recorded above, it is because it was not found in the statute cited — not because no deadline exists. Court rules, local rules, and standing orders set additional dates that are not part of the statutory text, and those are not reproduced here. Confirm every date against the Maine court handling the estate.
Sources
- Statutes: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-706(1); Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-801; Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, §3-801
- Authority: Maine Legislature, Office of the Revisor of Statutes (legislature.maine.gov)
- Source URL: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/18-C/title18-Csec3-801.html
- Verified: 2026-08-15
Related Maine guides
- How Long Does Probate Take in Maine? — the overall timeline these deadlines sit inside.
- How much does probate cost in Maine? — the cost side.
- How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Maine? — compensation for the work.
- Maine Probate Fee Sheet — printable one-page reference.
- Executor Duties: The Complete Checklist — what the role involves.
Executor deadlines in other states
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This page reproduces Maine statutory deadlines as published at the time of verification. It is not legal advice. Statutes are amended, court rules impose additional dates, and application depends on the specific estate. Confirm every date with the Maine court or a licensed Maine attorney.