Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
1. Power to disclaim. A person may disclaim, in whole or part, any interest in or power over property, including a power of appointment. A person may disclaim the interest or power even if its creator imposed a spendthrift provision or similar restriction on transfer or a restriction or limitation on the right to disclaim.
2. Fiduciary authority to disclaim. Except to the extent a fiduciary's right to disclaim is expressly restricted or limited by another statute of this State or by the instrument creating the fiduciary relationship, a fiduciary may disclaim, in whole or part, any interest in or power over property, including a power of appointment, whether acting in a personal or representative capacity. A fiduciary may disclaim the interest or power even if its creator imposed a spendthrift provision or similar restriction on transfer or a restriction or limitation on the right to disclaim or an instrument other than the instrument that created the fiduciary relationship imposed a restriction or limitation on the right to disclaim.
3. General requirements. To be effective, a disclaimer must be in a writing or other record, declare the disclaimer, describe the interest or power disclaimed, be signed by the person making the disclaimer and be delivered or filed in the manner provided in section 2-912. As used in this subsection, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
B. “Sign” means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record, to:
(1) Execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or
(2) Attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic sound, symbol or process.
4. Partial disclaimer. A partial disclaimer may be expressed as a fraction, percentage, monetary amount, term of years, limitation of a power or any other interest or estate in the property.
5. When irrevocable. A disclaimer becomes irrevocable when it is delivered or filed pursuant to section 2-912 or when it becomes effective as provided in sections 2-906 to 2-911, whichever occurs later.
6. Disclaimer not a transfer, assignment or release. A disclaimer made under this Part is not a transfer, assignment or release.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maine Revised Statutes Title 18-C. Probate Code § 2-905. Power to disclaim; general requirements; when irrevocable - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/me/title-18-c-probate-code/me-rev-st-tit-18-c-sect-2-905/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)