Me. R. Prob. P. 92.1

As amended through September 25, 2024

Rule 92.1 - Applicability; Effective Dates; Title

(a) Cumberland, Oxford, Penobscot, and York Counties. The Probate Courts of Cumberland, Oxford, Penobscot, and York Counties shall make electronic filing available as of May 1, 2012, and these rules apply to all civil and probate proceedings commenced in Probate Courts in those counties after the date indicated.

(1) Electronic filing in accordance with these rules is permitted in all cases commenced between May 1, 2012, and September 30, 2014.

(2) Electronic filing in accordance with these rules is required in all cases commenced on or after October 1, 2014.

(b) Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington Counties. The Probate Courts of Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, and Washington Counties shall make electronic filing available as of May 1, 2013, and these rules apply to all civil and probate proceedings commenced in Probate Courts in those counties after the dates indicated:

(1) Electronic filing in accordance with these rules is permitted in all cases commenced between May 1, 2013, and September 30, 2014.

(2) Electronic filing in accordance with these rules is required in all cases commenced on or after October 1, 2014.

(c) Short title. These rules may be known and cited as the Maine Probate Rules for Electronic Filing.

Me. R. Prob. P. 92.1

Adopted April 13, 2012, effective 5/1/2012; amended effective 4/11/2013; amended effective 12/20/2013.

Advisory Committee Note - November 2011

Rule 92.1 establishes the timing for implementation of e-filing in Maine's Probate Courts. During the first year (May 1, 2012 - April 30, 2013), four courts (Cumberland, Oxford, Penobscot and York) will accept, but not require, e-filing. In the second year (May 1, 2013 - April 30, 2014), e-filing will become mandatory in those four courts (except for certain filers who will be exempt pursuant to Rule 92.3 ) and will become permissible in all other courts. In the third year (commencing on May 1, 2014) filing shall become mandatory in all of the Probate Courts (again, except for certain filers who will be exempt pursuant to Rule 92.3 ).

Advisory Committee Note - April 2013

This amendment to Rule 92.1 revises the timing for mandatory e-filing for attorneys in the initial four pilot counties (Cumberland, Oxford, Penobscot and York) of Maine's Probate Courts. E-filing was initially set to become mandatory in those four courts (except for certain filers who will be exempt pursuant to Rule 92.3 ) commencing on May 1, 2013. The Advisory Committee on Probate Rules determined that further upgrades in the e-filing process were preferred prior to making the e-filing compulsory. All other portions of Rule 92.1 shall remain the same.

Advisory Committee Note - December 2013

This amendment to Rule 92.1 revises the timing for mandatory e-filing for attorneys in all of Maine's Probate Courts. E-filing was initially set to become mandatory in those four courts (except for certain filers who will be exempt pursuant to Rule 92.3 ) commencing on May 1, 2014. The Advisory Committee on Probate Rules determined that further upgrades in the e-filing process focusing on a questionaire type format and with access via the "cloud" were preferred prior to making the e-filing compulsory. All other portions of Rule 92.1 shall remain the same.