In Maine each county has a Probate Court which is a judicial branch of state government. The court has two elected officials, the Judge of Probate and the Register of Probate who are constitutional officers of the state of Maine. They both are elected to four year terms by the citizens in each county. The Register of Probate is responsible for the day to day operation of the Court and maintaining of records as required by the Maine revised statutes. Court is in session each Wednesday of the month with the Judge of Probate presiding.

Records in the Lincoln County Probate Court begin in 1760. On file in the Probate Court is the original will of General Henry Knox, Secretary of War for President George Washington.

Work done in the Probate Court consist of admitting wills to probate, appointment of personal representative, appointment of guardians and conservators, name changes, adoptions, marriage waivers and genealogy research. Since genealogy research has become such an important part of people's lives, requests are received from all over the country. An added service provided by the Lincoln County Probate Court is the processing of United States passports.

The present Judge of Probate is Thomas A. Berry, a practicing attorney in Boothbay Harbor. The present Register of Probate is Chester F. Fossett of Boothbay Harbor. Additional staff in the Probate Court include Deputy Register Beverly V. Overlock and Clerk Catherine H. Moore.

Phone 882-7392
Fax 882- 4324