State guide
Maine
Maine adult guardianship and conservatorship cases are handled in the county Probate Courts under the Maine Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Protective Proceedings Act. Maine law expressly requires courts to consider supported decision making, protective arrangements, and other less restrictive alternatives before imposing a full guardianship or conservatorship.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Court that handles adult guardianship
- Adult guardianship and conservatorship petitions are handled by the county Probate Court.
- What it's called
- guardian (person) and conservator (property or financial affairs)
- Official forms and self-help
- Official page →
- Filing fee
- $120.00
- Less-restrictive alternatives
- Maine recognizes supported decision making, technological assistance, supportive services, and protective arrangements instead of guardianship or conservatorship.
- Law
- 18-C M.R.S. art. 5, including §§ 5-301 and 5-401
Official resources in Maine
Official county probate page with contact information, links to fee schedule, Maine Probate search, and a note that forms are on the Maine Probate website.
Official state agency page explaining when a guardian may be appointed and listing less restrictive alternatives.
Official statute page for the basis for appointment of guardian for an adult.
Official statute page for the basis for appointment of conservator for an adult's property or financial affairs.
Official statewide probate site used for filings, docket search, and access to probate forms.
Key facts for Maine
- Maine adult guardianship and conservatorship cases are filed in county Probate Court.
- The court may not establish a full guardianship if a limited guardianship, protective arrangement, or other less restrictive alternative would meet the adult's needs.
- Maine statutes expressly tell the court to consider supported decision making when deciding an adult guardianship petition.
- A conservator is appointed for an adult's property or financial affairs.
- Cumberland County's probate page says public remote access to adult guardianship and conservatorship documents changed effective January 15, 2026.
- Maine Probate Rule 54A publishes a $120.00 fee for filing a petition or complaint in a civil proceeding.
County court guardianship pages in Maine
| Court | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County Probate Court Cumberland County | Portland | 207-871-8382 | County probate court page with forms link, fee schedule link, and adult guardianship/conservatorship confidentiality notice. |
| York County Registry of Probate York County | Alfred | 207-324-1577 | Registry page stating probate court jurisdiction includes adult guardianships and conservatorships. |
| Penobscot County Probate Court Penobscot County | Bangor | 207-942-8769 | County probate page listing appointment of guardians and conservators for adults among probate services. |
| Maine DHHS - Adult Guardianship and Alternatives | Augusta | (207) 287-3707 | State agency page explaining when guardianship is appropriate and when to consider alternatives or contact Adult Protective Services. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Start with the Probate Court in the respondent's county and ask whether local visitor costs or county-specific procedures apply in addition to the statewide filing fee.
- Prepare information about less restrictive options already tried, including supported decision making, services, and protective arrangements.
- Use Maine Probate forms and docket tools early; several counties route adult guardianship and conservatorship work through their Registry of Probate staff.
Not seeing your court or county?
Not every court publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Maine's population center, for comparison only):
- 10th Circuit - Probate Division - Brentwood, New Hampshire · about 116 miles
- NH Judicial Branch Information Center, New Hampshire · about 119 miles
- NH Judicial Branch - Guardianship of Incapacitated Person e-Filing Instructions, New Hampshire · about 119 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Maine Probate Court - Cumberland County Probate Court
Website →Phone: (207) 871-8382 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Maine page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.