Question 1

Which bankruptcy court do I file in for Maine?

Accepted Answer

Maine is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine (https://www.meb.uscourts.gov).

Question 2

What is the bankruptcy means test income limit in Maine?

Accepted Answer

1 person: $75,892; 2 people: $90,445; 3 people: $106,822; 4 people: $131,577; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026).

Question 3

Can you use the federal bankruptcy exemptions in Maine?

Accepted Answer

Maine filers must use Maine (and federal non-bankruptcy) exemptions: a debtor may exempt "only that property exempt under 11 United States Code, Section 522(b)(3)(A) and (B)," with a special rule letting debtors eligible for the higher age-60+/disability residence exemption claim that amount.

Question 4

How much home equity is protected in bankruptcy in Maine?

Accepted Answer

Statutory amounts: $80,000; $160,000 if minor dependents live with the debtor; $160,000 if the debtor or a dependent is 60 or older or disabled (joint-ownership limits apply). As adjusted for inflation by the Supreme Judicial Court: $94,300, $188,550, and $282,800 (the adjusted figure for the $240,000 joint-owner cap). The exemption does not apply to judgments for torts beyond ordinary negligence, and a principal residence is fully exempt from execution for medical debt.

Question 5

Can I keep my car in bankruptcy in Maine?

Accepted Answer

One motor vehicle: statute $10,000, adjusted to $11,800.

Question 6

Does Maine have a wildcard exemption?

Accepted Answer

Any property: statute $500, adjusted to $600; plus up to $10,500 of unused residence exemption (adjusted to $12,400), usable only for household goods, tools of the trade and certain personal injury payments (subsections 3, 5 and 14(D)). Separately, cash and bank accounts up to $3,000 (adjusted to $3,550).

Question 7

Are retirement accounts protected in bankruptcy in Maine?

Accepted Answer

Funds in accounts exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code sections 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457 or 501(a), up to an aggregate $1,054,550 by statute (adjusted to $1,242,600). Contributions made within 120 days before a bankruptcy filing and amounts needed for child or spousal support are not exempt. Pension and similar plan payments are also exempt to the extent reasonably necessary for support.

Question 8

Are wages protected in bankruptcy in Maine?

Accepted Answer

A court installment (wage) order may not exceed the least of 25% of the debtor's 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.

Question 9

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer in Maine?

Accepted Answer

The court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" menu with self-filing information and Electronic Self-Representation (eSR), plus links to the means test and approved credit counseling and debtor education providers.

State or federal exemptions	Maine filers must use Maine (and federal non-bankruptcy) exemptions: a debtor may exempt "only that property exempt under 11 United States Code, Section 522(b)(3)(A) and (B)," with a special rule letting debtors eligible for the higher age-60+/disability residence exemption claim that amount. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 4426 (as amended by PL 2025, c. 655)
Homestead exemption	Statutory amounts: $80,000; $160,000 if minor dependents live with the debtor; $160,000 if the debtor or a dependent is 60 or older or disabled (joint-ownership limits apply). As adjusted for inflation by the Supreme Judicial Court: $94,300, $188,550, and $282,800 (the adjusted figure for the $240,000 joint-owner cap). The exemption does not apply to judgments for torts beyond ordinary negligence, and a principal residence is fully exempt from execution for medical debt. Adjusted amounts are from Supreme Judicial Court Administrative Order JB-24-02 (effective October 24, 2024), which applies the 3-year inflation adjustment required by 14 M.R.S. § 4422: https://courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-24-02.pdf No acreage limit is stated. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 4422(1); SJC Administrative Order JB-24-02
Car exemption	One motor vehicle: statute $10,000, adjusted to $11,800. Adjusted amounts are from Supreme Judicial Court Administrative Order JB-24-02 (effective October 24, 2024), which applies the 3-year inflation adjustment required by 14 M.R.S. § 4422: https://courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-24-02.pdf Source: 14 M.R.S. § 4422(2); SJC Administrative Order JB-24-02
Wildcard exemption	Any property: statute $500, adjusted to $600; plus up to $10,500 of unused residence exemption (adjusted to $12,400), usable only for household goods, tools of the trade and certain personal injury payments (subsections 3, 5 and 14(D)). Separately, cash and bank accounts up to $3,000 (adjusted to $3,550). Adjusted amounts are from Supreme Judicial Court Administrative Order JB-24-02 (effective October 24, 2024), which applies the 3-year inflation adjustment required by 14 M.R.S. § 4422: https://courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-24-02.pdf Source: 14 M.R.S. § 4422(15)-(17); SJC Administrative Order JB-24-02
Retirement accounts	Funds in accounts exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code sections 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457 or 501(a), up to an aggregate $1,054,550 by statute (adjusted to $1,242,600). Contributions made within 120 days before a bankruptcy filing and amounts needed for child or spousal support are not exempt. Pension and similar plan payments are also exempt to the extent reasonably necessary for support. Adjusted amounts are from Supreme Judicial Court Administrative Order JB-24-02 (effective October 24, 2024), which applies the 3-year inflation adjustment required by 14 M.R.S. § 4422: https://courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-24-02.pdf Source: 14 M.R.S. § 4422(13)(E), (13-A); SJC Administrative Order JB-24-02
Wages	A court installment (wage) order may not exceed the least of 25% of the debtor's 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. This is the post-judgment collection limit; § 4422 has no separate exemption for earned but unpaid wages. Source: 14 M.R.S. § 3126-A(3)

Bankruptcy court	Maine is a single federal district: the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine (https://www.meb.uscourts.gov). Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maine website
Filing without a lawyer	The court has a "Filing Without an Attorney" menu with self-filing information and Electronic Self-Representation (eSR), plus links to the means test and approved credit counseling and debtor education providers. eSR: https://www.meb.uscourts.gov/electronic-self-representation Source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Maine home page

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