Maine’s Part-Time Court

Maine’s probate courts stand alone. Their judges are part-time and elected, and they operate independently from each other and the state supreme court. Probate courts are responsible for adult guardianships, which restrict an adult’s right to make choices and instead delegate those decisions to another person. In reporting this ongoing investigation, The Maine Monitor sent a survey to the 16 county probate courts and received responses from 10 that revealed some probate courts do little to assess the fitness of a guardian before or after they are appointed.

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GOP lawmaker calls for scrutiny of DHHS after disclosure of eight public guardianship deaths

Lawmakers have scheduled an Oct. 25 meeting with the department to explain how it handles guardianships and how it will comply with notification requirements.

ByDavid DahlandBySamantha Hogan

September 24, 2023

Eight deaths warrant further scrutiny from legislature, state lawmakers say

The lawmakers say "tragic" deaths uncovered by a Maine Monitor investigation show the need for an independent inspector general and advocacy office.

BySamantha Hogan

September 17, 2023

Eight deaths raise questions about oversight of Maine’s public guardianships

A state senator says the unexplained deaths are of "grave concern" and calls for greater accountability.

BySamantha Hogan

September 10, 2023

Six takeaways from the Monitor’s guardianship investigation

People with disabilities frequently are appointed a guardian, but judges should rule out a less restrictive alternative first.

BySamantha Hogan

August 6, 2023

The decision that can last a lifetime

Supported decision-making is a less restrictive alternative to guardianship for adults with disabilities, but it might not work for all.

BySamantha Hogan

July 30, 2023