Me. R. Prob. P. 92.2 (2026)

RULE 92.2. DEFINITIONS

(a) Document. A “Document” is a writing or other paper filed or served under the Electronic Filing System that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable.

(b) Electronic Case File. An “Electronic Case File” is an assemblage of the items pertaining to a single case or matter under a single docket number electronically stored by the Probate Court.

(c) Electronic Filing System. The “Electronic Filing System” is that system approved by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court for filing and service of pleadings, motions and other documents via the Internet through the Probate Court authorized service provider.

(d) Electronic Filing. “Electronic Filing” is the process of transmitting a document from a Registered Filer’s computer, using the court’s Internet-based electronic filing system, to file the document in the court’s Electronic Case File.

(e) Electronic Service. “Electronic Service” is the transmission of documents to any party in a case via the Electronic-Filing System. Registered Filers have agreed to receive service via the Electronic-Filing System.

(f) Electronic Means. “Electronic means” is any method of direct electronic transmission of a document from the sender’s computer or electronic filing system to the recipient’s computer or electronic filing system.

(g) Nonelectronic Case File. A “Nonelectronic Case File” is an assemblage of the items pertaining to a single case or matter under a single docket number physically stored by the court.

(h) Nonelectronic Means. “Nonelectronic means” is any method of transmitting a document or filing or service by any means other than by direct electronic transmission from the sender’s computer or electronic filing system to the recipient’s computer or electronic filing system.

(i) Filer. A “Filer” is a petitioner, movant, applicant, plaintiff, or interested person as defined under 18-A M.R.S. §1-201(20).

(j) Registered Filer. A “Registered Filer” is any person who is permitted or required under Rule 92.3 to file documents electronically and has registered through the electronic filing system website as provided in Rule 92.4.

(k) S/Name. An “S/Name” is a symbol representing the signature of the person whose name follows the “S/” on the electronically or otherwise signed form of the electronically-filed or electronically-served documents.

(l) Unrepresented Party. An “Unrepresented Party” is an interested person as defined under 18-A M.R.S. § 1-201(20), who has entered an appearance with the Court.

(m) Testamentary Document. A "Testamentary Document" shall include only the last will and testament of the decedent and any codicils thereto.

Rule 92.3. WHO MUST FILE ELECTRONICALLY; EXCEPTIONS

(a) Required electronic filing. Except as hereinafter provided in (b) and (c), and other provisions of these rules, all parties, and others required or permitted to file, in all civil actions and probate proceedings, entered in the Probate Court, on or after the filing dates provided by Rule 92.1(a) and (b), must electronically file all documents required by the applicable rules of procedure to be filed in court. All documents generated by the court, guardians ad litem, visitors, psychologists, physicians and mediators required to file a report under the applicable rules of procedure in all civil actions and probate proceedings, on or after the required filing dates provided by Rule 92.1(a) and (b), will be filed electronically or, if filed nonelectronically, shall be scanned by court staff.

(b) Exceptions to electronic filing. Nonelectronic filing may occur as follows:

(1) An Unrepresented Party who is not a Registered Filer may file nonelectronically.

(2) A filer in a particular case is excused from electronic filing in that case by the court when exceptional circumstances make electronic filing unfeasible.

(3) Nonelectronic filing of a particular document or information is permitted by the court to protect confidentiality or for other good cause.

(4) Nonelectronic filing is permitted when expressly permitted by these rules or an applicable rule of procedure.

(5) Nonelectronic filing is permitted when a document cannot reasonably be scanned and filed electronically because of its dimensions, shape, or condition.

(c) Required nonelectronic filing. A document must be filed by nonelectronic means when:

(1) It is an original testamentary document;

(2) Nonelectronic filing is expressly required by these rules or an applicable rule of procedure; or

(3) The court orders a filer to file by nonelectronic means upon a finding that the filer has abused the system by repeated filing of irrelevant, abusive, or duplicative documents or information.

(d) Consequence of filing by improper method. If a document that is required to be filed electronically is filed nonelectronically, it will not be accepted and will not be scanned. The filer may resubmit the document electronically pursuant to these rules, and the date and time of filing will be the date and time that the original filing was submitted.

(e) Service. A party who filed a nonelectronic document must serve notice of the filing and a copy of the document on all parties and the Probate Court in any manner appropriate under the applicable rules of procedure, except for documents filed ex parte.