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Small Claims Court Limits in Maine

In Maine, small claims cover debts or damages up to $10,000 (as of January 1, 2026), the filing fee is $70, and parties may hire a lawyer.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Maine at a glance

Maximum claim
$10,000
Raised from $6,000 by PL 2025, c. 261, as of January 1, 2026. Excludes interest and costs; claims involving title to real estate are excluded.
Filing fee
$70
Entry fee for a small claims action; it includes a $15 mediation fee.
Lawyers allowed
Yes
Parties often represent themselves but may hire an attorney.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Maine

What is the small claims court limit in Maine?

Maximum claim in Maine: $10,000. Raised from $6,000 by PL 2025, c. 261, as of January 1, 2026. Excludes interest and costs; claims involving title to real estate are excluded.

How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Maine?

Filing fee in Maine: $70. Entry fee for a small claims action; it includes a $15 mediation fee.

Can you bring a lawyer to small claims court in Maine?

Yes. Lawyers allowed in Maine: yes. Parties often represent themselves but may hire an attorney.

Where do the Maine small claims court limits come from?

The rules above come from 14 M.R.S. 7482 and Maine Admin. Order JB-05-26. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

Small claims cases are heard in the District Court.

What this means in practice

Before filing, send the other side a written demand that states what is owed, why, and a deadline to pay. A clear demand letter sometimes settles the dispute without court, and some courts ask whether you tried to resolve the matter first.

Bring organized evidence to the hearing: contracts, receipts, invoices, photos, text messages and any written promise to pay. Prepare a short timeline of what happened. Judges in small claims court decide cases quickly, so a clear, document backed explanation helps.

Winning a judgment does not mean you are paid automatically. If the other side does not pay voluntarily, you may need to use collection tools such as wage garnishment, a bank levy or a lien, and each of those has its own forms, fees and rules.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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