Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 14
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 7482 (2026)

Definition of a small claim

✓ current as of May 2026
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(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)
(TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/01/26) Notwithstanding the total amount of a debt or contract, a "small claim" means a right of action cognizable by a court if the debt or damage does not exceed $6,000 exclusive of interest and costs. It does not include an action involving the title to real estate.   [PL 2009, c. 428, §1 (AMD).]
(TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/01/26) Notwithstanding the total amount of a debt or contract, a "small claim" means a right of action cognizable by a court if the debt or damage does not exceed $10,000 exclusive of interest and costs. It does not include an action involving the title to real estate.   [PL 2025, c. 261, §1 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 261, §2 (AFF).]
Effective July 1, 1997 and every 4 years after that date, the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over judiciary matters shall review the monetary limit on small claims actions and the Judicial Department shall periodically provide information and comments on the monetary limit on small claims actions to that committee.   [PL 1993, c. 401, §3 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1981, c. 667, §2 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 678 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 401, §3 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 23, §1 (AMD). PL 2009, c. 428, §1 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 261, §1 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 261, §2 (AFF).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1985–2025 · leading case: Victor Sunshine v. Stephen M. Brett, 2014 ME 146 (Me. 2014).
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Victor Sunshine v. Stephen M. Brett, 2014 ME 146 (Me. 2014). · cites it 2× “See 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (2013). [¶20] The Court vacates that judgment and orders entry of a judgment for 10 We do not reach the merits of Brett’s remaining arguments, nor do we consider Sunshine’s request for attorney fees.”
Midland Funding LLC v. Walton, 155 A.3d 864 (Me. 2017). “§ 152(4) (2016), involve “a right of action cognizable by a court if the debt or damage does not exceed $6,000 exclusive of interest and costs” that does not involve title to real estate, 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (2016). Further, small claims proceedings are governed by separate,…”
Eric Ring v. Daniel Leighton v. Clinton McGaw, 2019 ME 8 (Me. 2019). · cites it 5× “80L, 5 however, at that trial many of the rules of civil procedure still do not apply; the defendant may not add counterclaims; 6 and, regardless of the size of the jury's verdict, any judgment remains subject to the jurisdictional limit set by 14 M.R.S. § 7482. M.R. Civ. P.…”
Ela v. Pelletier, 495 A.2d 1225 (Me. 1985). “A plaintiff in an action that qualifies as a “small claim” under 14 M.R.S.A. § 7482 has a choice. He can bring his action in Superior Court and request trial by jury, or he can resort to the small claims procedure and have the action tried in the District Court before a judge…”
Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC v. Bickford, 166 A.3d 986 (Me. 2017). “14 M.R.S. § 7482. The Small Claims Act provides that the Supreme Judicial Court shall adopt procedural rules for small claims actions.”
Ahlgren v. Fabian, 722 A.2d 868 (Me. 1999). “401, § 3 (effective June 21, 1993) (codified as amended at 14 M.R.S.A. § 7482 (Supp.1998)). Defendant’s other contentions were not properly preserved and, in any event, lacked merit.”
Eric Ring v. Daniel Leighton v. Clinton McGaw, 2019 ME 8 (Me. 2019). · cites it 5× “[¶13] Accordingly, in stark contrast to the procedure used in other civil cases, the rules of evidence, other than with respect to privileges, do not apply in a small claims hearing; “[t]he court may receive any oral or documentary evidence [that is] not privileged”; the…”
Midland Funding LLC v. Mark Walton, 2017 ME 24 (Me. 2017). “§ 152(4) (2016), involve “a right of action cognizable by a court if the debt or damage 8 does not exceed $6,000 exclusive of interest and costs” that does not involve title to real estate, 14 M.R.S. § 7482 (2016). Further, small claims proceedings are governed by separate,…”
Zakaria Allaf v. Shoreline Holdings Five, LLC, 2025 ME 95 (Me. 2025). · cites it 4× “Shoreline also contends that the court erred  Although Justice Horton participated in this appeal, he retired before this opinion was certified.”
Hughes v. Univ. of Maine, 652 A.2d 97 (Me. 1995). “See 14 M.R.S.A. § 7482 (Supp.1994). 2 . Although the University of Maine System Labor Relations Act permits a University employee to present a grievance to the University directly and obtain an adjustment without the intervention of AFUM, this option is only available if the…”
Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC v. Bickford, 166 A.3d 986 (Me. 2017). “14 M.R.S. § 7482. The Small Claims Act provides that the Supreme Judicial Court shall adopt procedural rules for small claims actions.”
Portfolio Recovery Assocs., LLC v. Bickford, 166 A.3d 986 (Me. 2017). “14 M.R.S. § 7482. The Small Claims Act provides that the Supreme Judicial Court shall adopt procedural rules for small claims actions.”
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