ME LD1440

Expands the definition of "marriage" for probate purposes to include registered domestic partnerships and legal unions from any state that provide substantially the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities as marriage

Restricts estate proceedings commenced more than 3 years after death by prohibiting personal representatives from satisfying homestead allowances, exempt property, or family allowances in such late-filed cases

Allows out-of-state parents to execute adoption surrender and release or consent documents via videoconference when their state lacks a court of comparable jurisdiction to advise them of consequences

Clarifies that a guardian's authority and responsibility automatically terminates upon the death of the adult subject to guardianship

Updates oath administration requirements to exclude (rather than include) parents executing adoption surrenders from the general rules for out-of-state acknowledgments, routing them instead through specific adoption consent procedures