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The Aroostook County Probate Court resides in Maine. Click on the links below to learn more about the court's...
This court holds the following jurisdiction:[1]
| “ | §251. General jurisdiction Each judge may take the probate of wills and grant letters testamentary or of administration on the estates of all deceased persons who, at the time of their death, were inhabitants or residents of the judge's county or who, not being residents of the State, died leaving estate to be administered in the judge's county, or whose estate is afterwards found therein; and has jurisdiction of all matters relating to the settlement of such estates. A judge may grant leave to adopt children, change the names of persons, appoint guardians for minors and others according to law and has jurisdiction as to persons under guardianship, and as to whatever else is conferred by law, except in cases in which the District Court has jurisdiction over a child pursuant to section 152, subsection 5‑A. [RR 2015, c. 2, §1 (COR).][2] |
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The Maine Probate Courts fall under the jurisdiction of the counties, not the state court system. There are 16 probate judges, each elected in partisan elections to four-year terms. Judges of the Maine Probate Courts serve part-time.[3][4]
In order to serve on these courts, a candidate must be a resident of Maine and an attorney licensed to practice in the state.[3][5]
Maine is one of 11 states that does not use judicial elections as a selection method. Instead, judges are selected by one of the appointment methods. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here.
Candidates participate in partisan primary elections, with parties selecting one candidate who will compete in the general election. A candidate from each party will then move on to compete in the general election. Candidates who are unopposed in the primary must still appear on the general election ballot since write-in candidates are allowed for the general election.[6]



Federal courts:
First Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Maine • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Maine
State courts:
Maine Supreme Judicial Court • Maine Superior Court • Maine Business and Consumer Court • Maine District Courts • Maine Family Division • Maine Juvenile Court • Maine Probate Courts • Maine Small Claims Court • Maine Treatment Court
State resources:
Courts in Maine • Maine judicial elections • Judicial selection in Maine
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State of Maine Augusta (capital) |
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Categories: [Local courts outside coverage scope] [Maine]