Maine debt statute of limitations

Maine limitation periods by type of debt

Maine applies one 6-year period to essentially all contract debt.

What the Maine statute says

“All civil actions shall be commenced within 6 years after the cause of action accrues and not afterwards, except actions on a judgment or decree of any court of record of the United States”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752

“A debt collector may not commence a collection action more than 6 years after the date of the consumer's last activity on the debt. This limitations period applies notwithstanding any other applicable statute of limitations, unless a shorter limitations period is provided under the laws of this State.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 32, § 11013(8)

Does paying restart the clock in Maine?

Once the period runs, a payment, a written or spoken affirmation, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend it, and an acknowledgment counts only if it is express, written and signed (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 32, § 11013(8); tit. 14, § 860).

“In actions founded on any contract, no acknowledgment or promise takes the case out of the operation hereof, unless the acknowledgment or promise is express, in writing and signed by the party chargeable thereby.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 860

Maine’s own debt collection law

The Maine Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (32 M.R.S. § 11001 et seq.) regulates collection of consumer debts (personal, family or household obligations), and treats debt buyers as debt collectors.

“"Debt" means any obligation or alleged obligation of a consumer to pay money arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, insurance or services that are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family or household purposes, whether or not the obligation has been reduced to judgment.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 32, § 11002(5)

If a creditor wins a judgment in Maine

The statute of limitations is a defense to the lawsuit. If the creditor sues within the deadline and wins — or wins by default because nobody answered — different Maine rules take over.

How long a judgment lasts

In Maine, a court judgment (other than a child support order) is presumed paid and satisfied 20 years after the obligation under it accrued.

“Every judgment and decree of any court of record of the United States or of any state or justice of the peace in this State is presumed to be paid and satisfied at the end of 20 years after any duty or obligations accrued by virtue of such judgment or decree, except for a child support order.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 864

Wage garnishment

In Maine, the earnings an individual judgment debtor can be ordered to pay in installments (which an employer withholding order under § 3127-B enforces) may not exceed the least of 25% of weekly disposable earnings plus exempt income, the amount by which that sum exceeds 40 times the higher of the federal or Maine minimum hourly wage, or total disposable earnings.

“the maximum amount of earnings for any workweek that is subject to an installment order may not exceed the least of: A. Twenty-five percent of the sum of the judgment debtor's disposable earnings and exempt income for that week;”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 3126-A(3)

Money in a bank account

Maine exempts a debtor's interest in cash or in deposit or other accounts at financial institutions up to $3,000.

“The debtor's interest in cash or in deposit accounts or other accounts of a financial institution, equal to any amount in cash or in the deposit account or other account of financial institutions, but not exceeding $3,000.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 4422(17)

Small claims court

For text effective January 1, 2026, a Maine small claim is one where the debt or damage does not exceed $10,000 exclusive of interest and costs (the limit was $6,000 before that date); actions involving title to real estate are excluded.

“(TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/01/26) Notwithstanding the total amount of a debt or contract, a "small claim" means a right of action cognizable by a court if the debt or damage does not exceed $10,000 exclusive of interest and costs.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 7482

Time-barred debt in Maine

After the collector deadline expires, a payment, a written or spoken affirmation, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend the limitations period.

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when the applicable limitations period expires, any subsequent payment toward, written or oral affirmation of or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend the limitations period.”
Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 32, § 11013(8)

What to do next

1. Find the date of your last payment or account activity — that is usually when the clock started.
2. If a collector contacted you in the last 30 days, dispute in writing first: the validation letter generator asks the collector to verify the debt without admitting it.
3. Do not pay or sign anything on an old debt until you know how Maine treats a payment (above).
4. If you are sued, respond by the deadline on the summons and raise the statute of limitations as a defense.

Common questions

How long can a debt collector sue me in Maine?

6 years for credit-card debt and 6 years on a written contract, under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752. The period usually runs from your last payment or the date of default.

Does a payment restart the clock in Maine?

Once the period runs, a payment, a written or spoken affirmation, or other activity on the debt does not revive or extend it, and an acknowledgment counts only if it is express, written and signed (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 32, § 11013(8); tit. 14, § 860).

Does Maine have its own debt collection law?

The Maine Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (32 M.R.S. § 11001 et seq.) regulates collection of consumer debts (personal, family or household obligations), and treats debt buyers as debt collectors. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 32, § 11002(5)).

How long does a court judgment last in Maine?

In Maine, a court judgment (other than a child support order) is presumed paid and satisfied 20 years after the obligation under it accrued. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 864).

How much of my pay can be garnished in Maine?

In Maine, the earnings an individual judgment debtor can be ordered to pay in installments (which an employer withholding order under § 3127-B enforces) may not exceed the least of 25% of weekly disposable earnings plus exempt income, the amount by which that sum exceeds 40 times the higher of the federal or Maine minimum hourly wage, or total disposable earnings. (Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 3126-A(3)).

What if I am sued on an old debt in Maine?

Respond by the deadline on the summons. An expired limitations period is a defense you generally have to raise yourself; a court that hears nothing from you can enter a default judgment.