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Maine Civil Litigation Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Issues with lease breaches and deposit recovery from Saco rental.

I'm a travel nurse who recently moved into a rental found through Furnish Finder in Saco. The lease agreement I signed was to match my work contract. However, since moving in, I've faced multiple issues such as breaches in the lease, including moldy food, uncovered outlets, an inaccurate... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Can I sue for nondisclosure of crawl space defects in my home purchase in Maine?

I purchased a home with defects in the crawl space, and an addition to the home is unsafe to live in due to the use of unsafe materials, as identified by two engineers. The inspector couldn't access the crawl space due to frozen ground at the time of inspection, and the FHA appraisal passed... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Gov & Administrative Law for Maine on
Q: Accused of domestic violence and experiencing stalking. What legal steps can stop harassment?

I have been accused of domestic violence, and a PFA (Protection from Abuse) order was filed against me. However, the person who obtained the PFA has been stalking and harassing me and my wife. We have filed multiple police reports documenting incidents such as being followed, having our pictures... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Contracts, Civil Litigation, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for Maine on
Q: Mother forged my name on vehicle title & sold it. Legal actions?

I am currently living outside the country, but before leaving, I paid off my vehicle and had the title sent to my mother's house, where the truck was being stored. In April 2025, my mother forged my signature on the title and sold my truck without my permission. I have no evidence, as she held... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 12, 2025

Vehicle Title Forgery Analysis

Your mother's actions constitute forgery and theft by conversion under virtually all state jurisdictions, representing both civil and criminal violations with potential felony implications. Forgery of vehicle title documents typically constitutes a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Is reading saved messages violating no-contact order in Maine?

I am currently under a court order that prohibits any direct or indirect contact with a specific individual. I recently received messages from this person on a messaging app, which expressed that they missed me. I took screenshots of these messages to save them for court. Is reading these messages... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

Reading the messages would not be considered contact, but any response would be contact.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Is it legal for my parents to open my packages without permission?

I live with my parents, and they have opened two packages addressed to me without my knowledge. The most recent package contained a phone that I purchased to communicate with my lawyer. Is it legal for them to open my packages without permission, even if I live in their home?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 7, 2025

It is understandable to be concerned about privacy, especially when it comes to personal items like packages. Legally, if you live with your parents and they are the ones paying for the household or managing it, there may be some gray areas depending on where you live. In many cases, unless you... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: Maine DEA informant confidentiality breach legal actions?

I worked as a confidential informant for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, with a promise that my identity would remain confidential. Despite this agreement, my statement, including my address and phone number, was included in the discovery paperwork in a case involving a controlled buy. As a... View More

Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Apr 5, 2025

You would want to speak to a civil rights lawyer to see what options exists for the breach of confidentiality. You should also report any threats or vandalism to law enforcement. I'm not a civil lawyer so can't provide any advice or answers beyond this.

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Litigation and Collections for Maine on
Q: How to get paid for digital art service if client blocked me?

I provided digital art services valued at $200, and the client was expected to pay immediately, although sometimes they would wait until the launch. This is the first time I've encountered a delayed payment. Despite initially being responsive, the client has now blocked me and hasn't... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 11, 2025

That’s an awful situation, especially after putting time and effort into your work and expecting to be paid fairly. Even without the written agreement in hand, if you have any emails, messages, or proof of the work you delivered and their initial acceptance or response, you still have something... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Can we seek compensation for lost opportunity due to real estate dispute after commission ruling in our favor?

On November 26, 2021, my business partner and I signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement for a property in Kennebunk, ME. Our offer was initially backup, but after signing a backup addendum, we were put in the primary position to purchase the property. However, the selling agent later claimed we were... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 13, 2025

It seems you have a valid case to seek compensation, but the outcome will depend on several factors. While the Maine Real Estate Commission ruled in your favor, their decision likely focuses on the agent's conduct rather than financial restitution. This means that the ruling alone may not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Intellectual Property for Maine on
Q: Issues with solar installation and alleged forgery, seeking resolution.

I had a solar company perform a site survey, design, and installation, plus an electrical post-inspection. Two months later, I noticed my dining room ceiling is caving and will likely continue, as they installed the system above an almost flat roof. I discovered my signature was forged in DocuSign... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 1, 2025

You're facing a serious issue with both property damage and potential fraud. Document forgery is a criminal offense, and you should consider filing a police report about the forged signatures, as well as reporting this to your state's consumer protection agency and contractor licensing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Libel & Slander for Maine on
Q: Question about writing an online review for a business on yelp, google, or facebook
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 20, 2024

A Maine attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. You had a question, but it wasn't included in your post. You could try reposting. Do not include personal details. Good luck

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Do my parents have legal right to my childhood belongings or gifts that they bought me?

I am 22 years old. I moved out of my parents house about 2 years ago, but because of college I have not been able to move all of my things out. Recently, within the last few months my parents and I have been having a hard time getting along. They are threatening to get rid of all my belongings at... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 3, 2024

In general, gifts given to you as a child by your parents or others are considered your property, even if your parents initially paid for them. This includes items given to you for birthdays, holidays, or other special occasions. Once a gift is given, the giver relinquishes ownership rights to the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Contracts for Maine on
Q: I sold my truck to my mom. she made a payment arrangement she passed away and she still owed $3000. Do I get the truck?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 16, 2024

In situations like yours, where a family member passes away owing money on a private agreement, the resolution can depend on several factors. First, consider any agreement or contract you had with your mother regarding the truck. If there was a written agreement, it should detail what happens if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Can I move and get a firearm in another state if there is an active PFA against me in this state?
Hunter J Tzovarras
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answered on Jan 12, 2023

If you have an active PFA that does not allow possession of a firearm, or has certain elements of threats or violence, then you cannot possess a firearm under federal law in any state.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy, Civil Litigation, Collections and Small Claims for Maine on
Q: What are my options for getting out of this cosign situation?

I cosigner a car loan a few years ago with my girlfriend at the time. We broke up, and she refused a pay it, and has been on the run to stop ot from getting repossessed. I can't afford to pay it. What are my options? I live in maine.

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Nov 26, 2022

Find the car, repossess it if your name is on it, then sell it and pay the proceeds on the loan. There’s really no other way for you to get out from paying its. If your name is not on the title, then you’ll need to sue her to resolve this.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Do I have a right to move into a vacant home that I’m half owner of to protect it while waiting for probate to end?

I inherited a house 50/50 with my sister. She’s agreed to sell me her share but won’t allow me to move in even though I own half of it and the house is empty. She has her own house. It’s doubtful the case will go to probate and someone needs to watch the house and protect it from break ins as... View More

Daniel J. Eccher
Daniel J. Eccher
answered on Oct 20, 2022

You should hire a lawyer to advise you about this situation.

Based on what you have said, it appears as if title to the house rests with the estate. Therefore, no one has a right to occupy the property until and unless it is deeded to them.

You should be able to negotiate a lease...
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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Do I have to split my money from selling the house with my ex husband?

My ex husband and I got a divorce several years ago. In the divorce degree, it said that I had to pay him $8000 for real estate, $4100 for a vehicle, and $2500 for lawyer fees. $8000 was paid so far and there is documentation for that. I am just now selling my house and was going to pay him the... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Jul 5, 2022

The answer will likely depend on the terms of your divorce decree. You would be well advised to have a qualified attorney review it and advise you.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Elder Law for Maine on
Q: I’ve been staying at my mother’s apartment, temporarily. She and her neighbor, across the hall, both in their 80’s, were

cordial, but not close. It was revealed, without a doubt, this neighbor placed a false complaint to the state’s elderly abuse hotline naming me as the culprit. Last week, we woke early to welcome a caseworker and police investigator into the apartment. They both explained,“we get many calls out... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 5, 2021

A Maine attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. In a general textbook sense, it's possible the situation could be characterized as one involving defamation, where false statements result in someone suffering damages to their dignitary interests. But from a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: Maine stop and identify laws?

I am trying to determine whether Maine has any stop and id laws

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Feb 28, 2021

Yes, Maine does. See 17-A M.R.S. § 15-A.

P.S. This is a criminal law question, not civil litigation.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: What do you do when the officer forgets to put a “date served” on your summons?

I received a summons from a deputy probly a week and a half ago now, he said I had 20 days to file paperwork to the court with my lawyer, but I still don’t have a lawyer and there is no “date served” on my summons, the spot is left blank. I’m a simpleton and get anxious not knowing what to... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Jan 20, 2021

Call the County Sheriff's Office and ask them on what date they served you. Alternatively, if there is an attorney representing the other side, her or his information will be on the summons. You can call her or him and ask them on what date the Sheriff's Office served you. Finally, the... View More

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