Is An Online Will Legally Valid in Maine?

Maine treats an online will the same as any other, provided it’s been correctly. Here's what that involves.

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What Makes an Online Will Legally Valid in Maine?

Online wills are legal in Maine, but electronic wills are not currently allowed, so the document must be printed on paper. For it to be legal, the will must be signed by the person stating their wishes (the testator) and also signed by at least two witnesses within a reasonable time after witnessing the signing or acknowledgment. In the state of Maine, notarization is not required. It is required in the case of a self-proving will.

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Maine does recognize holographic, or handwritten, wills without any witnesses, as long as the signature and all sections of the will are in the testator's own handwriting.

What You Need to Know about Online Wills in Maine

Estate laws are different from state to state and many are complex with lots of subtle nuances. It's important that your will be structured correctly to avoid a lengthy, costly legal process.  

Maine Property Laws

Maine is a common law property state. Unlike other community property states, in Maine, ownership of an asset generally follows whose name is on the title, deed, or account.

Maine Probate

All wills go through probate in Maine unless the personal property is valued at roughly $52,500 or less (as of 2026), in which case you may qualify for a small estate affidavit. Otherwise, you can only avoid probate by placing your assets in a trust. Maine is also one of the few states with its own state estate tax.

Avoiding Probate in Maine

• Put your assets in a revocable living trust.  

• Gives you full control over your estate as the trustee. You name a successor trustee who will manage distributing your assets after your death.

• Name beneficiary designations on financial and retirement accounts.  

• A payable-on-death (POD) designation identifies who will receive payment at the time of your death. A transfer-on-death (TOD) designation names a new owner for those accounts.

• Establish joint ownership with right of survivorship.  

• This gives your spouse or another co-owner automatic ownership of that property when you die.

Want to learn more about trusts in Maine? Review what you’ll need as part of your trust.