Maine: rules and deadlines at a glance

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Malpractice rules · Small claims limits · Small estate limits · Debt time limits · Shared fault rules · Medicaid expansion · ACA marketplace · Claim deadlines · Estate and inheritance tax

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply; open a topic for the details.

Filing deadlines (statute of limitations)

Medical malpractice	3 years
Wrongful death	3 years

Malpractice rules Under review

Damage cap	No cap in injury cases; separate cap on noneconomic damages in death cases
Expert affidavit or certificate	Not required
Before you sue	Notice of claim and mandatory prelitigation screening panel

Small claims limits Single detailed source

Dollar limit	$10,000 (since Jan. 1, 2026; was $6,000)
Filing fee	$70
Lawyers	Allowed

Small estate limits Single detailed source

Small estate limit	$52,500 for 2026 (adjusted yearly)
Wait after death	30 days
Real estate	No

Debt time limits

Credit cards / open accounts	6 years
Written contracts	6 years
Promissory notes	6 years

Shared fault rules

Rule	Modified comparative negligence (50% bar)
When you are barred	Barred if you are 50% or more at fault

Medicaid expansion Single detailed source

Expanded?	Yes
Since	Jan. 10, 2019 (ballot measure, 2017)

ACA marketplace

Marketplace type	State-run marketplace
Where to enroll	CoverME.gov

Claim deadlines Single detailed source

Acknowledge	No fixed number of days; must act with reasonable promptness
Accept or deny	No fixed number of days
Pay	30 days after proof of loss and an agreed amount

Estate and inheritance tax

Estate tax	Yes: estates over $7,160,000, taxed at 8%-12%
Inheritance tax	No inheritance tax