Maine Small Claims Court
Owed money in Maine? Here's the dollar limit, the court that hears it, what filing costs — and a free demand letter to send first, which resolves many disputes without a case. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Maine small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $10,000
- Court
- Small claims proceedings in the Maine District Court
- Filing fee
- $70 to enter a small claims action (includes a $15 mediation fee) under the Judicial Branch fee schedule, Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26), effective March 9, 2026; optional clerk service is $15 per party.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but optional — the Judicial Branch guide says both sides may represent themselves or hire attorneys.
Source: 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Small claims proceedings in the Maine District Court clerk before filing.
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How to file in Maine — the short version
- Demand first. Send the letter above by a trackable method and keep proof — judges expect it, and it often gets you paid without a case.
- File with the Small claims proceedings in the Maine District Court where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: $70 to enter a small claims action (includes a $15 mediation fee) under the Judicial Branch fee schedule, Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26), effective March 9, 2026; optional clerk service is $15 per party..
- Serve the defendant the way Maine rules require (clerk, sheriff, certified mail, or process server — ask the clerk). Bad service is the #1 way cases get thrown out.
- Bring evidence: contracts, invoices, photos, messages, this demand letter and its delivery proof, and any witnesses.
- Collect. If you win and they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment, levy, and liens.
Check the current Maine small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in Maine small claims court?
The limit is $10,000 (as of 2026). $10,000 exclusive of interest and costs, effective January 1, 2026 (raised from $6,000 by PL 2025, c. 261 amending 14 M.R.S. § 7482). Older guides showing $6,000 are out of date. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure. If you're owed more, you can sue in the regular civil court instead — or waive the excess and stay in small claims, which is usually faster and cheaper.
Where do I file?
In Maine, small claims cases are heard by the Small claims proceedings in the Maine District Court, generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: $70 to enter a small claims action (includes a $15 mediation fee) under the Judicial Branch fee schedule, Administrative Order JB-05-26 (A. 3-26), effective March 9, 2026; optional clerk service is $15 per party.. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In Maine: Allowed but optional — the Judicial Branch guide says both sides may represent themselves or hire attorneys.. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
What happens if I win but they don't pay?
A judgment isn't a check — if the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you enforce it: wage garnishment, bank levy, or property liens, depending on Maine law. The court clerk can point you to the forms. Judgments also accrue interest and stay enforceable for years, so a stubborn debtor doesn't run out the clock quickly.
How does Maine compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How Maine compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Maine: 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 261); Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $10,000, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 15 other states.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — New Hampshire ($10,000). Every neighboring state with a rule matches Maine.
The rest of what Maine requires
The figures below are Maine's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Maine page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 2 months' rent 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days 14 M.R.S. §6033 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 7 days to pay or quit 14 M.R.S. § 6002 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Limited to the actual cost of screening Maine Legislature ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Maine BMV / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required 18-C M.R.S. §5-905 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Required by statute 31 M.R.S. § 1502(15) (definition); 31 M.R.S. § 1531(1)(B) (agreement must exist); 31 M.R.S. § 1521 (scope) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Registry of Deeds (Register of Deeds) · no witnesses 33 M.R.S. § 203 ↗
Small claims guide in other states
More Maine legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →