Sued in Maine? You have 20 days to answer

Which court hears debt cases in Maine

How to answer in Maine

How to answer

File a written answer with the court at the location on the summons and mail a copy to the plaintiff's lawyer. In a credit card or student loan collection case, the collector must attach a one-page answer form to the front of the complaint; you can check the box, sign it, return it to the court and mail a copy to the plaintiff's lawyer, and you do not need a more formal answer. Filing an answer does not mean you admit the debt.

Official answer form

Defendant's ANSWER to Complaint (Credit Card or Student Loan Collection Actions), form BCCP-2021 from the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection; for other debts, a written answer under M.R. Civ. P. 12(a)

Fee to answer

The court fee schedule (Admin. Order JB-05-26) lists filing fees for plaintiffs and does not list a fee for filing an answer.

If you can't pay the fees

Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (CV-067): https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=CV-067

How you must be served

The plaintiff can mail you the summons and complaint by first-class mail with an acknowledgment form to sign and return. If you do not return the acknowledgment within 20 days, you must be served by a sheriff or deputy, another authorized person, or a person appointed by the court.

Law: M.R. Civ. P. 4(c)(1)-(2)

Law: M.R. Civ. P. 12(a); 32 M.R.S. § 11020(3); Maine Judicial Branch Admin. Order JB-05-26

Defenses to know in Maine

Defenses in Maine law

The BCCP answer form lets you deny the claims and assert all affirmative defenses that apply. A debt collector must sue within 6 years of your last activity on the account, and the period cannot be revived; for medical debt, a collector cannot sue unless it first gave you notice and 30 days to show your household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. A collection action on medical debt must be suspended if you qualify for free or charity care.

Law: 32 M.R.S. § 11013(8); 32 M.R.S. § 11013(3)(O)-(Q); 32 M.R.S. § 11013(11)

Debt buyer lawsuits

A debt buyer's complaint (court form CV-287) must state the current owner, the original creditor, the account number, the amount at charge-off, the date of last credit and last payment, any interest or fees added after charge-off, the basis for attorney fees, and that the suit is within the statute of limitations. Debt buyer lawsuits in Maine: the full rules

Time limit to sue (written contract)

6 years · More on old debts at Debt Collector Map

Mediation and settlement in Maine

In consumer collection actions (debt buyer suits, and credit card or student loan suits by debt collectors), once you appear, answer or ask for mediation, the court may order mediation through the Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Service (CADRES). It can be held at the courthouse or by video or phone, attendance is mandatory, and the mediation fee is already included in the plaintiff's filing fee.

Law: M.R. Civ. P. 92(g)

If there is a judgment in Maine

A judgment is the court's decision that you owe money. Then the creditor can ask the court to take money from your pay or bank account.

Interest after the judgment

If the contract or note has an interest provision, the contract rate or the one-year U.S. Treasury bill rate plus 6%, whichever is greater. In other cases, the one-year Treasury bill rate (last full week of the prior year) plus 6%. The rate must be stated in the judgment, except in small claims.

How long it lasts

A judgment is presumed paid and satisfied 20 years after it was entered.

Law: 14 M.R.S. § 1602-C(1); 14 M.R.S. § 864

Good to know in Maine

• Debt buyers and debt collectors pay a $302 District Court filing fee, which includes a $127 surcharge for civil legal services and a $45 mediation fee (Admin. Order JB-05-26).
• In a credit card or student loan case, the one-page answer form attached to the complaint is enough as your answer (32 M.R.S. § 11020(3)).
• Debt collectors and debt buyers cannot sue consumers in small claims court (32 M.R.S. § 11021).

Changes in 2024–2026

PL 2023, c. 663 (effective 2024) limits medical debt interest, fees and lawsuits; PL 2025, c. 649 bars debt collectors from wage garnishment and home liens for medical debt. The court fee schedule was updated by Admin. Order JB-05-26, effective March 9, 2026.

Law: 32 M.R.S. § 11013(12)-(13)

Federal rules in every state

• Where a collector must sue. A debt collector that sues you over a consumer debt must file where you signed the contract or where you live when the suit starts. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692i(a)(2)
• Old debts. A debt collector must not sue you, or threaten to sue you, on a debt that is too old to sue on. Law: 12 CFR 1006.26(b)
• Before a default judgment. Before the court gives the plaintiff a default judgment, the plaintiff must file a sworn statement saying whether you are in military service. Law: 50 U.S.C. 3931(b)(1)
• Your pay. For an ordinary debt, a creditor can take at most 25% of your take-home pay, or the part above 30 times the federal minimum wage if that is less. Many states protect more. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1673(a)
• Federal benefits in the bank. Your bank must protect up to two months of Social Security, SSI, VA and some other federal benefits that were paid into your account by direct deposit. You don't have to ask. Law: 31 CFR 212.5, 212.6

Questions about debt lawsuits in Maine

More help on our sister sites

• Maine debt collector rules and the statute of limitations (Debt Collector Map)
• Maine small claims court (Small Claims Map)

Sources

Other states