Statute of limitations on debt in Maine

6 years to sue on a written contract or an open account (14 M.R.S. § 752; 32 M.R.S. § 11013(7)-(8)).

Short answer

Maine limits what restarts the clock: Not for debt collectors: once the 6 years since your last activity have passed, a later payment, written or oral promise, or other activity does not revive or extend the time to sue.

Written contracts
6 years
Open accounts and unwritten agreements
6 years
Can a payment restart the clock?
Not by itself

Time limits to sue in Maine

Law
14 M.R.S. § 752; 32 M.R.S. § 11013(7)-(8)
Official text
Read the law

With 6 years, Maine shares the most common limit in our 48 state guides (22 states). For comparison, the written-contract limit is 6 years in Vermont, 6 years in Massachusetts and 10 years in Rhode Island.

Your rights against collectors in Maine

  • Debt collectors cannot sue consumers in small claims court. (32 M.R.S. § 11021)
  • Debt buyers must have detailed records (original creditor, chain of ownership, the contract) before collecting. (32 M.R.S. § 11013(9))
  • 663): new medical-debt limits on interest, fees and lawsuits.

Your right to sue a collector: You can sue a debt collector for actual damages plus up to $1,000 in extra damages ($2,000 against a debt buyer), plus court costs and attorney's fees if you win. You must sue within 1 year after the violation. (32 M.R.S. § 11054)

Maine rules worth knowing about old debts

  • Maine's 6-year limit for debt collectors runs from your last activity and cannot be revived (32 M.R.S. § 11013(8)).
  • Debt collectors cannot sue you more than 6 years after your last activity on the debt, and once that time runs out, a payment or promise does not restart it. (32 M.R.S. § 11013(7)-(8))

Can a payment restart the clock in Maine?

Not for debt collectors: once the 6 years since your last activity have passed, a later payment, written or oral promise, or other activity does not revive or extend the time to sue. (32 M.R.S. § 11013(8))

Is my debt too old? Check Maine's time limit

Maine: 6 years for a written contractEnter the date of your last payment to see when the time limit ends.

An old debt in a Maine court

The time limit protects you only if you raise it, so answer on time. In Maine: Superior or District Court civil case: 20 days after you are served with the summons and complaint (Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a)). Debt collectors cannot use small claims court in Maine.

If you don't answer within 20 days, the collector can ask the court for a default judgment.

What to do if you are sued in Maine

Handling an old debt in Maine

  1. Don't pay or sign yet

    In Maine: Not for debt collectors: once the 6 years since your last activity have passed, a later payment, written or oral promise, or other activity does not revive or extend the time to sue.

  2. Ask the collector for proof

    A dispute letter sent within 30 days of the validation notice makes the collector verify the debt.

  3. Look the collector up

    Collectors need a Maine license; check one here: Official license lookup.

  4. Report a suit on an old debt

    Complain to Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection and to the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Phone: 1-800-332-8529.

Federal rules on old debts

Federal rules bar a collector from suing, or threatening to sue, on a time-barred debt (12 CFR 1006.26(b)). A collection can stay on your credit report up to 7 years, counted from 180 days after the first missed payment (15 U.S.C. 1681c). More in our guide to time-barred debt.

Free help in Maine

Questions about old debts in Maine

When does a debt become too old to sue on in Maine?

6 years for written contracts and 6 years for open accounts and unwritten agreements (14 M.R.S. § 752; 32 M.R.S. § 11013(7)-(8)).

Can a small payment revive an old debt in Maine?

Not for debt collectors: once the 6 years since your last activity have passed, a later payment, written or oral promise, or other activity does not revive or extend the time to sue. (32 M.R.S. § 11013(8))

More for Maine

Statute of limitations in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Federal sources