Sued by a debt buyer in Maine
The extra rules for debt buyer suits, and how to use them in your answer.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026.
Short answer
A debt buyer is a company that bought an old debt and now sues to collect it. 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.
- Time limit to sue (written contract)
- 6 years
- Time to answer
- 20 days
Special rules when a debt buyer sues in Maine
- 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.
- It must attach the contract or other document showing you owe the debt, and the full chain of ownership from the original creditor to the current owner (each bill of sale or assignment), with affidavits.
- In credit card or student loan cases brought by a debt collector (other than a bank or credit union, which the law calls a supervised financial organization), the court may not enter judgment unless it finds every requirement is met with admissible evidence.
- A clerk cannot enter a default or default judgment in these cases; only a judge can, after checking strict compliance with the law.
Law: 32 M.R.S. §§ 11013(9), 11019; 32 M.R.S. § 11020(4)-(5); M.R. Civ. P. 55(a)(1), 55(b)(1), 55(b)(4)
Defenses you can raise in Maine
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)
Old debts in Maine
In Maine, the time limit to sue on a written contract is 6 years. A debt older than that can be a defense, but you must raise it in your answer.
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)
In nearby states
Your next steps in Maine
Check who is suing
If the name on the summons is not a company you know, it may be a debt buyer.
Make them prove it
Send a documents request letter to the plaintiff's lawyer.
Answer on time
Maine's deadline: 20 days after you are served with the summons and complaint.
Use the rules
Say if the plaintiff hasn't shown it owns the debt, or if the debt is too old.
Get help
Free help: Pine Tree Legal Assistance (free legal aid) and Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection.
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)
- If the collector broke the law. You can sue a debt collector that broke the federal debt collection law within 1 year, for your losses, up to $1,000 more and your lawyer's fees. Law: 15 U.S.C. 1692k
Free help in Maine
Questions about debt buyer suits in Maine
Are there special rules when a debt buyer sues in Maine?
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. It must attach the contract or other document showing you owe the debt, and the full chain of ownership from the original creditor to the current owner (each bill of sale or assignment), with affidavits. In credit card or student loan cases brought by a debt collector (other than a bank or credit union, which the law calls a supervised financial organization), the court may not enter judgment unless it finds every requirement is met with admissible evidence. A clerk cannot enter a default or default judgment in these cases; only a judge can, after checking strict compliance with the law.
What is the deadline to answer a debt suit in Maine?
20 days after you are served with the summons and complaint.
How old is too old for a debt buyer suit in Maine?
In Maine, the time limit to sue on a written contract is 6 years. A debt older than that can be a defense, but you must raise it in your answer.
More for Maine
Sources
- 32 M.R.S. § 11020 (credit card and student loan collection actions)
- Maine Judicial Branch form CV-287, Debt Buyer Complaint (rev. 10/23)
- BCCP-2021 Defendant's Answer to Complaint (Credit Card or Student Loan)
- Maine Rules of Civil Procedure (amendments through June 1, 2026)
- 14 M.R.S. § 1602-C (post-judgment interest)
- 14 M.R.S. § 864 (presumption of payment after 20 years)
- 14 M.R.S. ch. 502 (enforcement of money judgments)
- 14 M.R.S. § 3126-A (installment payments)
- Maine Judicial Branch Admin. Order JB-05-26 (court fees)
- Collecting Money from a Court Judgment (Maine Judicial Branch)
- 32 M.R.S. § 11021 (collection actions prohibited in small claims court)
- 32 M.R.S. § 11019 (collection action by debt buyer)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.