About Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property
Allows a person to collect tangible personal property and/or financial instruments from a deceased person's estate without formal probate when the estate value is below the statutory threshold.
When you'd use it: When the decedent's estate value (less liens and encumbrances) does not exceed the amount specified in 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201, at least 30 days have passed since death, and no personal representative has been appointed.
Where to get the official form
The official version of Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property is published as a PDF by the Maine courts. We checked this link and it resolved to a form on an official court or government website — always download the current version directly from the source rather than a third-party copy:
Download Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (PDF) →
Source: maineprobate.net
Link last checked: May 31, 2026
How to file Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property in Maine
- Step 1 — Confirm you have the correct formUse Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (AF-102) when the decedent's estate value (less liens and encumbrances) does not exceed the amount specified in 18-C M.R.S. § 3-1201, at least 30 days have passed since death, and no personal representative has been appointed. Double-check it's the right form for your situation — Maine probate forms are revised periodically, so verify the name and number against your court's current form list before you start.
- Step 2 — Complete every required fieldFill out Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property carefully and review it for errors before filing. Probate cases can already take months — a small mistake on the form can set your timeline back further.
- Step 3 — Get it notarized or witnessed if requiredSome probate forms must be signed in front of a notary or witnesses. Check the instructions on the form itself, and arrange notarization before you file if it's required.
- Step 4 — File it with the correct courtSubmit Small Estate Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property to the probate court or county clerk handling the estate — usually in the Maine county where the deceased lived. Ask the clerk how they prefer to receive filings (in person, by mail, or e-filing).