Maine · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in Maine: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for Maine, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in Maine

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$10,000
Court
District Court
Filing fee
$70
Lawyers
Optional

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in Maine

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
21 days (lease: up to 30)
Security deposit limit
2 months' rent
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
7 days
Notice before the landlord enters
Reasonable (24 hours presumed)

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in Maine

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Maine Department of Labor
Minimum wage (2026)
$15.10
Final paycheck if fired
Next payday
Deadline to file a wage claim
See the guide

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in Maine

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
36 mo / 18,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
3 repairs · 1 if unsafe · 15 business days
Covers used cars
Yes
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in Maine

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
185 days after tax commitment (town)
Where you appeal first
Abatement request to the local assessor
Median effective tax rate
1.02%
Median yearly tax on a home
$3,036

Open nowMost Maine towns committed their 2026 taxes in summer or early fall 2026, so the 185-day abatement window is open now for most homeowners. It closes 185 days after your town's commitment date, which for most towns falls between mid-December 2026 and spring 2027 (Auburn: 185 days after its July 13 commitment is January 14, 2027, although the city lists January 16; Caribou: February 1, 2027). A town that committed early in the summer may have a deadline as soon as December, so check your town's commitment date with the assessor now. The next window opens when 2027 taxes are committed. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in Maine

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$25,000
Homestead deadline
April 1
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
None statewide

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in Maine

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
Maine Unclaimed Property
Held by the state
$383.1 million (June 30, 2026)
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in Maine

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
6 months (with exceptions)
Waiting period
60 days after filing
Filing fee
$120

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in Maine

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in Maine
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage6 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit21 days (lease: up to 30)Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent7 daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claimSee the guideWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedNext paydayWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period36 mo / 18,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineThe chapter sets no lawsuit deadline.Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appeal185 days after tax commitment (town)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineApril 1Exemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file6 months (with exceptions)Divorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting period60 days after filingDivorce Law Map

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Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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