Maine lawyer costs and court fees

By Javi Pérez, independent researcher (not a lawyer)Last reviewed · 8 sources cited below · How we research

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change and differ by court and county. Confirm current amounts with the court or a lawyer licensed in your state before you rely on them.

Short answer

Maine has small claims cases up to $10,000, a 6-year personal injury filing deadline, a divorce filing fee of $120.00. Clio does not publish a Maine rate; the national average is $349 an hour. Below are the verified court fees, deadlines, fee-cap rules and free-help options, each linked to its official source.

Maine legal costs at a glance

Court fees, limits and fee rules in Maine, checked October 11, 2026
Small claims limit$10,000 (exclusive of interest and costs)[1][2][3][4]
Small claims filing fee$70.00 entry of a small claims action (includes $15 Court Management System increase). A.O. JB-05-26, eff. March 9, 2026.[1][2][3][4]
Superior Court (same fee in District Court) civil filing fee$175.00 general civil or real estate action[3]
Divorce filing fee$120.00[3]
Personal injury deadline6 years (14 M.R.S. § 752, general civil limitation; exceptions apply elsewhere, e.g., professional negligence)[5]
Attorney fee capsProfessional (health care) negligence, 24 M.R.S. § 2961: 33 1/3% of the first $100,000, 25% of the next $100,000, 20% of any amount over $200,000 (costs excluded).[6]
Average lawyer rateNo Maine figure published; national average $349/hour[7]

What lawyers charge in Maine

Clio publishes state-level averages for only some states, and Maine is not one of them. The national average billed rate in Clio's 2025 data is $349 per hour[7]. We do not publish an invented Maine figure: ask two or three local lawyers for their hourly rate and compare it with the national number.

Illustrative budget at $349/hour (not a quote): a 1-hour consultation ≈ $349; a 5-hour document review ≈ $1,745; a 20-hour contested matter ≈ $6,980, before court fees and expenses. Many lawyers quote flat fees for routine work instead; see hourly vs flat fees.

Small claims court in Maine

Small claims cases are heard in the District Court (small claims). You can ask for up to $10,000 (exclusive of interest and costs)[1][2][3][4]. Raised from $6,000 effective January 1, 2026; not available for real estate title, personal injury claims against a city or town, or consumer debt collection under Title 32 ch. 109-A (14 M.R.S. § 7482).

  • Filing fee: $70.00 entry of a small claims action (includes $15 Court Management System increase). A.O. JB-05-26, eff. March 9, 2026.
  • Serving the other side: Optional service of a small claims action: $15.00 per party. Service of a small claims disclosure: $20.00 per party. Sheriff offices set their own fees. Certified mail is paid at the post office.
  • Court self-help: Maine court self-help resources

See how Maine compares with other states in our 50-state small claims table.

Court filing fees

Superior Court (same fee in District Court): $175.00 general civil or real estate action[3]

Divorce: $120.00[3] Listed as 'Entry of a Family Matter Action' in District Court; no separate divorce line and no distinction for children.

If you cannot afford a filing fee, every state lets you ask the court to waive it; the form is usually called a fee waiver or an application to proceed without paying fees. Our divorce cost guide compares filing fees across states.

Deadlines and attorney fee rules

Personal injury filing deadline: 6 years (14 M.R.S. § 752, general civil limitation; exceptions apply elsewhere, e.g., professional negligence)[5]. Exceptions exist (for example for minors, government defendants and medical claims), so check with a lawyer before the deadline gets close.

Contingency and fee caps: Professional (health care) negligence, 24 M.R.S. § 2961: 33 1/3% of the first $100,000, 25% of the next $100,000, 20% of any amount over $200,000 (costs excluded).[6]

If you disagree with a lawyer's bill: the Fee Arbitration Commission, Board of Overseers of the Bar handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers.

Free and low-cost legal help in Maine

Frequently asked questions

What is the small claims limit in Maine?

$10,000 (exclusive of interest and costs), in the District Court (small claims). Raised from $6,000 effective January 1, 2026; not available for real estate title, personal injury claims against a city or town, or consumer debt collection under Title 32 ch. 109-A (14 M.R.S. § 7482).

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

$70.00 entry of a small claims action (includes $15 Court Management System increase). A.O. JB-05-26, eff. March 9, 2026. Service of the papers usually costs extra.

How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Maine?

Generally 6 years (14 M.R.S. § 752, general civil limitation; exceptions apply elsewhere, e.g., professional negligence). Exceptions apply, so talk to a lawyer well before the deadline.

How much is the divorce filing fee in Maine?

$120.00. Listed as 'Entry of a Family Matter Action' in District Court; no separate divorce line and no distinction for children. You can ask the court to waive fees if you cannot afford them.

What can I do if I think my Maine lawyer overcharged me?

Ask the lawyer for an itemized bill first. If that does not resolve it, the Fee Arbitration Commission, Board of Overseers of the Bar handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers.

Sources

  1. 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (checked October 11, 2026)
  2. Maine Judicial Branch, Small Claims (checked October 11, 2026)
  3. Maine Judicial Branch, A.O. JB-05-26 (checked October 11, 2026)
  4. Maine Judicial Branch, Small Claims Guide (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)
  5. 14 M.R.S. § 752 (checked October 11, 2026)
  6. 24 M.R.S. § 2961 (checked October 11, 2026)
  7. Clio, Compare Lawyer Rates (2025 Legal Trends data) (checked October 11, 2026)
  8. Federal Register: LSC income guidelines (2026) (checked October 11, 2026)