Hiring a Lemon Law Lawyer in Maine
The Maine lemon law for new cars, the rules for used cars, where to file a complaint, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Maine: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | A contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, the litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, whether expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated, and any expenses the client owes whether or not they win; at the end, the lawyer gives a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. Maine bans contingent fees in any initial action for divorce, annulment, judicial separation, paternity or parentage, parental rights and responsibilities, emancipation, grandparent visitation, guardianship or child support (and post-judgment proceedings to change those orders), contingent fees for criminal defendants, and probate estate administration fees based on a percentage of the estate. For actions for professional negligence covered by 24 M.R.S. Sec. 2961, the total contingent fee (excluding litigation expenses) may not exceed 33 1/3% of the first $100,000 recovered, 25% of the next $100,000, and 20% of any amount over $200,000, unless a court approves a higher fee on petition. Statute: https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/24/title24sec2961.html |
|---|---|
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Board of Overseers of the Bar runs a free fee arbitration program for clients (or, with the client's written consent, others) disputing fees charged by a lawyer admitted in Maine, after a good-faith effort to resolve it with the lawyer. If the lawyer fails without good cause to reply within 30 days, the panel may still decide the matter. The award is binding on both sides, and by filing the petitioner gives up the right to sue over the disputed fees; awards are enforceable under the Uniform Arbitration Act. Decisions generally issue within 20 days after the hearing, and any ordered refund is due within 30 days. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | Maine's Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection may reimburse clients for losses caused by an attorney's dishonest conduct, such as misusing client funds or taking money for the attorney's own benefit; legal malpractice is not covered. Contact: P.O. Box 527, Augusta, ME 04332-0527; 207-623-7801. |
Maine rules to know first
| Lemon law for new cars | Maine's lemon law covers motor vehicles sold or leased in Maine, except vehicles used primarily for commercial purposes with a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds or more; governments and businesses that register three or more vehicles are not "consumers." The consumer must report the defect during the express warranty, within 3 years after original delivery, or within the first 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed if, within that period, the same defect was subject to repair 3 or more times and still exists; a defect causing a serious failure of the brakes or steering was subject to repair once; or the vehicle was out of service for repairs for a total of 15 or more business days. The consumer must then notify the manufacturer or dealer in writing that the consumer wants a refund or replacement, and the manufacturer gets a final 7-business-day opportunity to repair. If the defect still substantially impairs the vehicle's use, safety or value, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle or take it back and refund the purchase price (or lease payments), finance charges, sales tax and registration fees, and reasonable towing, storage and alternative-transportation costs, minus a reasonable allowance for use; the consumer may reject a replacement and take a refund instead. The Department of the Attorney General administers a state-certified arbitration program for lemon law disputes. Source: 10 M.R.S. §§ 1161, 1163 |
|---|---|
| Used cars | A dealer who sells a used motor vehicle to anyone other than another dealer warrants that the vehicle has been inspected and meets Maine's state inspection standards (or, for a vehicle sold as "reconstructable," that it is in the condition stated in the required "unsafe motor vehicle" disclosure). This warranty and the buyer's remedies cannot be excluded, limited or waived. The dealer must give the buyer a written statement of the warranty, including where repairs will be done and a notice that the buyer must give the dealer written notice of any failure to perform before going to court. A dealer fails its warranty duty if, for example, it does not complete required repairs within five business days after the buyer delivers the car (35 calendar days if parts are unavailable) without providing a free operating loaner vehicle. Source: 10 M.R.S. §§ 1474, 1476 |
| How to make a lemon law claim | 1) Written notice and final repair attempt: if the defect has not been fixed, the consumer must notify the manufacturer or the authorized dealer in writing that the consumer wants a refund or replacement. (This can be done after one repair attempt if the defect caused a serious failure of the brakes or steering.) For 7 business days after the notice is received, the manufacturer has a final opportunity to repair the vehicle at a facility reasonably accessible to the consumer; this does not delay the arbitration timeline. A consumer can be required to notify the manufacturer only if the warranty or owner's manual clearly says written notice is required and gives the address; written notice to the authorized dealer also satisfies it. 2) Arbitration: the Department of the Attorney General runs state-certified lemon law arbitration. Manufacturers must take part if the consumer asks within 3 years after original delivery or within the express warranty term, whichever comes first, and the State accepts the application. A written finding is due within 45 days after the Attorney General's office receives a properly completed request. If the manufacturer has a federally compliant (16 C.F.R. Part 703) dispute program, the consumer must first use that program or state-certified arbitration before the refund/replacement remedy applies; that requirement is met 40 days after notifying the manufacturer's program, or sooner when it completes its duties. 3) After a finding: a manufacturer ordered to refund or replace must do so within 21 days or appeal. Either side may appeal to Superior Court in the county of sale within 21 days of the finding; a consumer who is dissatisfied may instead apply to the manufacturer's program if not already used. 4) Deadline: the lemon law chapter does not state a separate deadline to sue beyond the arbitration and appeal time limits above. Notice and final repair: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec1163.html. Manufacturer program rule: https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/10/title10sec1165.html. The statute does not set a consumer filing fee; a $1 lemon law arbitration program fee is collected from buyers of new vehicles at sale. Prevailing consumers in an appeal must be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and costs. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Maine State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service provides "up to 30 minutes' consult with a qualified, local lawyer for $35"; after that consultation, you and the lawyer agree on a fee or rate for further work. |
|---|---|
| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar's online Attorney Directory lists attorneys admitted to practice in Maine as of the previous day. Search by name, city, state, ZIP, county or six-digit bar number. The Board notes that being listed does not necessarily mean an attorney is in good standing or currently permitted to practice; to check public discipline records, call the Board at (207) 623-1121. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Grievance complaints about Maine lawyers go to the Board of Overseers of the Bar. They must be in writing and signed, using the online form, PDF form or a letter with a detailed summary and relevant documents. Mail: Board of Overseers of the Bar, 97 Winthrop Street, P.O. Box 527, Augusta, ME 04332-0527; phone (207) 623-1121; board@mebaroverseers.org. There is no cost. Central Intake reviews it, Bar Counsel investigates and the lawyer must respond in writing; a Review Panel then dismisses, dismisses with a warning or refers it for a public hearing (the first phase usually takes 90 to 120 days). You may request review of a dismissal within 14 days. Final public discipline is published on the Board's website. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Maine Judicial Branch lists free civil legal aid providers: Pine Tree Legal Assistance (the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, for low-income people; ptla.org), Volunteer Lawyers Project, (800) 442-4293; Maine Equal Justice Partners, (866) 626-7059; Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, (800) 497-8505; Legal Services for Maine Elders, (800) 750-5353 (people 60 or older); Disability Rights Maine, (800) 452-1948; and the clinics at Maine Law, (207) 780-4370 or toll-free (877) 780-2522. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
|---|
All legal help in Maine · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
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.