Inherited a House in Maine? Your Options, Step by Step

Start with the basics

When someone passes away and leaves a house, the first job is to protect the property. Make sure it’s locked, insured and, in a Maine winter, heated or properly winterized. Many homeowner’s insurance policies have limits for vacant homes, so call the insurance company and ask.

Probate in Maine

In most cases the house can’t be sold until someone has legal authority to act for the estate. In Maine that’s usually a personal representative appointed through the Probate Court in the county where the person lived. If there’s a will, it usually names who should serve. If there isn’t, Maine law sets the order.

Some estates go through a simpler “informal” process and some need a “formal” one. A probate attorney or the county Register of Probate can explain what applies to you.

If there’s more than one heir

When several family members inherit together, everyone usually needs to agree on what happens to the house. Talking early about whether to keep, rent or sell it, and who pays the ongoing bills in the meantime, can prevent a lot of stress later.

The costs keep coming

Property taxes, insurance, utilities, snow removal and maintenance continue while the estate is settled. Factor those into your decision, especially if the house will sit empty.

Your main options

• Keep it and live in it or use it as a family property.
• Rent it out, which means becoming a landlord.
• Fix it up and list it with an agent, which can bring top price but takes time and money.
• Sell it as-is to a buyer like us. You skip repairs and the clean-out and pick the closing date. You’ll usually get less than a fully fixed-up house might sell for.

This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Laws and court procedures change, and every situation is different. Talk to a Maine attorney about yours.

Disclosure: Pinetree Home Solutions is a real estate investment company. We are not licensed real estate agents and do not represent you. We may assign our purchase agreement or resell the property for a profit.