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Maine Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure and Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Buying a bank owned foreclosure with a Les Pendens

We are in the process of purchasing a bank foreclosed property at auction, the property has a Les Pendens on it from a local hospital here in Maine. We paid 37,000 at auction. The preforclosure started in September of 2017, the bank wanted 160,000 so they took a large loss. The Les Pendens was... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Dec 1, 2018

I think you mean lis pendens, but in any event, the answer to your question is, as long as the foreclosing bank properly recorded a copy of the foreclosure complaint or what is known as a clerk’s certificate in each registry of deeds in which the mortgage deed is or by law ought to be recorded,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: Are there any instances where the police wouldn't need a warrant to search a house?
Zachary J. Smith
Zachary J. Smith
answered on Dec 3, 2018

That's a complicated question, and the answer often depends on application of various constitutional doctrines. Usually a warrant is required, but exceptions abound.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Maine on
Q: I am currently going through court for child support. Just looking for advice about parental rights.

Currently going to court for child support. Biological father did not show to first court date. Next court date in December. Just looking for advice to possibly persue parental rights

Robert Guillory
Robert Guillory
answered on Nov 29, 2018

If you are just going for child support you will have to present some information to the court as to what his income is and what your income is. they will also need to know cost of daycare if any, cost of insurance for the child/children only, and if there are any extraordinary medical expenses for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Maine on
Q: I have received emails from a company calling itself Revenue Discovery Systems.

They say they have filed a case against me. It is in regards to a payday loan. CASE FILE # D/A-497528

They spell many things wrong in their emails and use faulty grammar. They say they represent a Payday lender that has gone out of business. Am I being scammed?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 27, 2018

It's certainly possible this is a scam, but I would need to see and review the actual documents to confirm that.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Maine on
Q: I have a custody and child support agreement made 3 years ago in Massachusetts. Can I file for a child support increase?

We made an agreement 3 years ago that if I moved to Maine my son's father only had to pay me $20 a week in child support. We have lived in Maine now for 3 years and $20 a week is nothing and I pay for everything. Can I bring him to court for a child support increase in Maine now, or am I stuck... View More

Robert Guillory
Robert Guillory
answered on Nov 26, 2018

The first thing you should do is consult with an attorney in Massachusetts. i dont know Massachusetts law but in Maine people cannot agree to modify child support on their own, it must be done by court order signed by a judge. if you have a court order that says the support drops if you move to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Days away from closing a house when the power of attorney was questioned. can’t be sold. Sue for appraisal/inspection $?

they want us to sign a termination of the p and a to get out earnest money back. It says we won’t hold the broker or licensee liable. Should we sign or not? We just want the $1600 we paid on a house that couldn’t be sold in the first place

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 23, 2018

From your question, it appears you are a buyer who was ready, willing, and able to close, but your seller ran into a problem with his/her/its power of attorney (which apparently can’t be cured), and that problem is preventing the seller from conveying title to the property to you under the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Landlord shut water off morning after paying rent; won't answer his door or phone and have left notes on his door.

We have all receipts from rent payments, plus we gave him a phone and internet services from our set-up. His other tenant has not paid for some time now, I understand if he wants to shut her water off, but he doesn't have 2 separate shut offs for the water. My boyfriend and I are going on 2... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 21, 2018

Your question indicates that you have a written lease. You will want to review the terms of your lease to determine what your rights and remedies are under these circumstances and then follow the provisions of the lease. In all likelihood, your lease requires you to provide written notice to your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Foreclosure for Maine on
Q: When is a mortgage payment considered past due allowing the financial institution to bring a foreclosure proceeding?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 10, 2018

Assuming this is a mortgage on your home, the financial institution must provide you with a written notice of default and right to cure your mortgage loan default (assuming that the default is for non-payment). The notice must state that you are "in default" and that you have 35 days to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: My tenant passed away and was 3 months behind on rent. Can I still get the money from his family?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 10, 2018

If his family has not signed or guaranteed the lease, no. Your claim for rent owed would have to be presented to the representative or executor of the deceased tenant's estate. Generally, the deceased tenant’s estate is legally responsible for rental payments until the lease expires or is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Maine on
Q: Is it okay to write a contract even after work has begun?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 10, 2018

The short answer is yes, but there may be significant consequences caused by the fact that one party started the work before a written contract was in place. For example, under Maine law, "[a]ny home construction contract for more than $3,000 in materials or labor must be in writing and must... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Maine on
Q: Does lemon law only apply to used cars? What about a golf cart?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 9, 2018

Yes, it applies to used cars, but not to golf carts.

1 Answer | Asked in Collections for Maine on
Q: What's the statute of limitations for filing a debt collections suit?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 9, 2018

In most consumer debt cases, the statute of limitations for filing a debt collections suit is 6 years from the time the consumer stopped making payments on the obligation.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation for Maine on
Q: How do I get my name off a creditor lawsuit?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 10, 2018

I would need more facts about this situation in order to answer the question. For example, have you been named as a defendant? What are the claims the creditor has asserted in its complaint? is this a consumer or commercial matter?

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy for Maine on
Q: Is there any way to recover rent owed from a tenant that's filed for bankruptcy?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 9, 2018

Under certain circumstances, yes, but I would need more facts to give you a more specific response.

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1 Answer | Asked in Banking for Maine on
Q: What are the rules on limits to finance charges for credit card?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 10, 2018

Please see the discussion of the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 ("CARD Act") on page 15 of the document found at this link: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit/documents/2015CreditCardpubl.pdf

Also, Maine law does not limit the interest...
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2 Answers | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law for Maine on
Q: Can I request a mediator in my eviction case at any time?
Thomas A. Grossman
Thomas A. Grossman
answered on Nov 10, 2018

Without knowing more about this matter, you probably can request a mediation (many courts now offer mediation as a choice), but it will have to be set up by a mediator, and the Court usually picks the mediator. I assume you are in civil court, as I don't think small claims court offers a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Maine on
Q: What's the process for appealing a probate decision.
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 9, 2018

Probate Court decisions may be appealed to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court on matters of law. Here is a website that explains the appeal process to the Supreme Judicial Court: http://www.courts.maine.gov/maine_courts/supreme/appeals.html. I would suggest that you consult with an attorney to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: My condo association violated the State of Maine Condo act by not preparing a budget and is now demanding a huge sum.

I asked condo association board why there is no budget for an assessment for an expensive project while they demanded immediate payment for a sewer project to replace an already working sewer main. They want thousands immediately and another $5k in 30 days after project completion. I am a senior on... View More

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 7, 2018

I think the answer, in large part, is going to depend on the language and terms of your condo association documents. You should try to get a lawyer who specializes in condo association law to help you. I can refer you to someone if you like.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Maine on
Q: What if I discover the amount of my claim is over the maximum figure small claims allows after I filed a claim? Can I

refile in regular court?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 5, 2018

Yes, you should ordinarily be able to voluntarily dismiss your small claims court action and refile it in the proper court (depending on what stage the small claims proceedings are at). The other option to consider is waiving the amount of your claim that exceeds the small claims court limit... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Can you seek an easement if you're a renter and there's no way to drive off the property you're renting?
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III
answered on Nov 5, 2018

I'm not sure there is any definitive case law in Maine in this issue, but I do know, in at least some other jurisdictions, courts have held that only an owner, and not a renter, can seek an easement. That is because the renter's use generally inures to the benefit of the property owner.... View More

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