After a debt judgment in Maine: garnishment, bank levy, exemptions

What can be taken from your pay and bank account, and how to claim exempt money.

Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.

Short answer

After a judgment, the creditor can ask the court to take part of your pay or freeze your bank account, but some money is exempt (protected by law). To collect, the creditor must serve you a disclosure subpoena at least 10 days before a disclosure hearing in District Court. The subpoena must tell you that you have the right to be heard on your ability to pay and on whether your income or assets are exempt.

How long it lasts
20 years
Interest after the judgment
See the rule
Exemption form
Official exemption form

How to claim an exemption in Maine

To collect, the creditor must serve you a disclosure subpoena at least 10 days before a disclosure hearing in District Court. The subpoena must tell you that you have the right to be heard on your ability to pay and on whether your income or assets are exempt. Go to the hearing and bring the documents requested; the judge sets any installment payment order based on your income and exemptions. If you do not appear, the court can issue a civil order of arrest.

Law: 14 M.R.S. §§ 3122, 3123(3), 3125, 3126-A, 3134-3135

Official exemption form

Count your deadline to claim an exemption

The date is counted in your browser.

Read the notice you got from the court, your bank or your employer.

An estimate from our state data, not legal advice. Court holidays and local rules can change a deadline. File early, and ask the court clerk if you are not sure.

Exemption claim cover letter

How much of your pay can be taken in Maine

In Maine, wages are taken only by court order after a disclosure hearing. The order can be no more than the smallest of 25% of your weekly disposable earnings (plus exempt income) or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Maine minimum wage. If your only income is exempt (for example Social Security or unemployment), no payment order is allowed. Collectors cannot garnish wages for medical debt.

Law: 14 M.R.S. § 3126-A; 32 M.R.S. § 11013(12)

These garnishment limits are from our sister site, which checks them against official sources: Debt Collector Map: Maine

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)

The judgment's life in Maine

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

Judgment interest and how long a judgment lasts, by state

Bank levies in Maine

The creditor can ask the court to order a bank or other third party to hold and turn over your money. Up to $3,000 in cash and bank or other financial accounts is exempt.

Law: 14 M.R.S. § 3127-A; 14 M.R.S. § 4422(17)

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

Protecting your pay and bank in Maine

  1. Watch for notices

    Each notice may start a short deadline, so read it right away.

  2. Gather proof

    Proof of where the money came from, like award letters, wins exemption claims.

  3. File the claim on time

    In Maine: To collect, the creditor must serve you a disclosure subpoena at least 10 days before a disclosure hearing in District Court. The subpoena must tell you that you have the right to be heard on your ability to pay and on whether your income or assets are exempt.

  4. Show up at the hearing

    If the creditor objects, the judge decides at a hearing. Bring your proof.

Free help in Maine

Questions about collection after a judgment in Maine

How much interest does a judgment add in Maine?

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.

When does a judgment expire in Maine?

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

How much of my pay can be taken in Maine?

In Maine, wages are taken only by court order after a disclosure hearing. The order can be no more than the smallest of 25% of your weekly disposable earnings (plus exempt income) or the amount above 40 times the higher of the federal or Maine minimum wage. If your only income is exempt (for example Social Security or unemployment), no payment order is allowed. Collectors cannot garnish wages for medical debt.

What is a bank levy in Maine?

The creditor can ask the court to order a bank or other third party to hold and turn over your money. Up to $3,000 in cash and bank or other financial accounts is exempt.

How do I protect exempt money in Maine?

To collect, the creditor must serve you a disclosure subpoena at least 10 days before a disclosure hearing in District Court. The subpoena must tell you that you have the right to be heard on your ability to pay and on whether your income or assets are exempt. Go to the hearing and bring the documents requested; the judge sets any installment payment order based on your income and exemptions. If you do not appear, the court can issue a civil order of arrest.

More for Maine

Sources

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources