Free Legal Help for Tenants and Landlords in Maine

Legal aid organizations, right-to-counsel programs and official court self-help resources in Maine, gathered from the state, county and city pages on this site.

Right to a free lawyer in eviction cases

Statewide: No statewide right to counsel in eviction cases. By statute, the court must announce at the start of FED hearings if an attorney is available that day to represent tenants. The summons must include a court form that lists legal-help resources. 14 M.R.S. § 6004(2)-(3)

Free legal aid organizations

• Pine Tree Legal Assistance — Free legal information and help for low-income Maine tenants facing eviction; eviction information sessions and courthouse attorney help.
  Serves: Cumberland County (Portland), York County

Official court and state resources

• Maine Attorney General - Tenant Rights
• Maine Judicial Branch - Eviction (FED) help
• Maine Judicial Branch - Evicting a Tenant for Not Paying Rent (guide)
• 14 M.R.S. Ch. 709 - Forcible Entry and Detainer
• 14 M.R.S. Ch. 710 - Rental Property
• 14 M.R.S. Ch. 710-A - Security Deposits

Legal aid groups set their own eligibility rules (usually income-based). Call ahead or check their site.

← Maine landlord-tenant law · Legal help in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.