2010 Maine Code
TITLE 18-A: PROBATE CODE
Article 2: INTESTATE SUCCESSION AND WILLS
18-A §2-404. Source, determination and documentation

Part 4: EXEMPT PROPERTY AND ALLOWANCES

§2-404. Source, determination and documentation

If the estate is otherwise sufficient, property specifically devised is not used to satisfy rights to homestead and exempt property. Subject to this restriction, the surviving spouse, the guardians of the minor children, or children who are adults may select property of the estate as homestead allowance and exempt property. The personal representative may make these selections if the surviving spouse, the children or the guardians of the minor children are unable or fail to do so within a reasonable time or if there are no guardians of the minor children. The personal representative may execute an instrument or deed of distribution to establish the ownership of property taken as homestead allowance or exempt property. The personal representative may determine the family allowance in a lump sum not exceeding $12,000 or periodic installments not exceeding $1,000 per month for one year, and may disburse funds of the estate in payment of the family allowance and any part of the homestead allowance payable in cash. The personal representative or any interested person aggrieved by any selection, determination, payment, proposed payment or failure to act under this section may petition the court for appropriate relief, which relief may provide a family allowance larger or smaller than that which the personal representative determined or could have determined. [2001, c. 57, §3 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

1979, c. 540, §1 (NEW). 2001, c. 57, §3 (AMD).