Last Will and Testament in Maine
A simple will form for straightforward estates. A will is valid only if it is signed and witnessed exactly as your state requires (below); one that is not executed correctly may be ignored by the court. Larger estates, blended families, trusts for minor children or business interests are worth a lawyer's review.
What Maine law says
| Requirements for a valid will | An individual of sound mind who is 18 or older, or a legally emancipated minor, may make a will. A will must be in writing, signed by the testator (or by someone else in the testator's conscious presence and at the testator's direction), and signed by at least 2 witnesses, each within a reasonable time after seeing the testator sign or acknowledge the signature or the will. Any person generally competent to be a witness may witness; a will signed by an interested witness is still valid. A will signed outside Maine is also valid if it complies with the law of the place where it was signed or where the testator lived. Age: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/18-C/title18-Csec2-501.html; witnesses: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/18-C/title18-Csec2-504.html |
|---|---|
| Self-proving affidavit | Yes. A will can be made self-proved when signed, or at any later time, by the testator's acknowledgment and the witnesses' affidavits made before a notary or other officer authorized to administer oaths, using the certificate wording set out in the statute. Source: 18-C M.R.S. § 2-503 |
| Handwritten (holographic) wills | Yes. A will that does not meet the witnessed-will rules is valid as a holographic will, with or without witnesses, if the signature and the material portions of the document are in the testator's handwriting. Source: 18-C M.R.S. § 2-502(2) |
Fill it in
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF [your full name]
I, [your full name], of [city, county and state], being of sound mind, make this my will and revoke all earlier wills and codicils.
1. Executor. I name [executor name] as personal representative (executor). If they cannot serve, I name [alternate executor name].
2. Specific gifts. I give [item or amount] to [beneficiary name].
3. Everything else. I give the rest of my property to [beneficiaries and shares]. If a beneficiary does not survive me by 30 days, their share goes to [alternate beneficiary].
4. Guardian. If I have minor children, I name [guardian name] as guardian, and [alternate guardian name] as alternate.
Signed on [date signed] at [city and state]. Signature: ____________________
Witnesses: we signed below in the presence of the person making this will and of each other, as required by state law. Witness 1: [witness 1 name and address] ____________ Witness 2: [witness 2 name and address] ____________
[Notary or self-proving affidavit, if your state provides one]
Last Will and Testament for other states · Maine tenant rights
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.