Small Claims Court for Unpaid Invoices in Maine — Filing as a Freelancer or Business
You finished the work, sent the invoice, and waited. Then you followed up. Then you followed up again. Sixty days later, the client still hasn't paid and has stopped responding entirely. If you're a freelancer, sole trader, or small business owner in Maine, small claims court is the fastest way to recover what you're owed — without hiring a lawyer or spending months in the regular civil docket.
Who Can File — Sole Traders, LLCs, and Corporations
Maine's small claims division handles money-only disputes up to $10,000 (as of January 1, 2026, under 14 M.R.S. § 7482). That limit excludes interest and court costs, so a $9,800 unpaid invoice plus accrued interest still qualifies.
Any individual can file on their own behalf. If you operate as an LLC, corporation, or partnership, Maine Rules of Small Claims Procedure Rule 16(b) lets an authorized officer, manager, general partner, or full-time employee represent the business in court — no attorney required. You may be asked to file an authorization statement with the clerk.
If the client is also a business, you'll need to sue the correct legal entity. A trade name or DBA is not a legal entity in Maine. Search the Maine Secretary of State's corporate database (Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions) to find the registered name and agent address before filing Form SC-001.
Building Your Case Before You File
Small claims judges in Maine don't follow the formal Rules of Evidence, but they still want organized, credible documentation. For an unpaid invoice claim, your evidence package should include:
- The contract or agreement — written contracts are strongest, but email chains confirming the scope, price, and timeline work too
- Every invoice you sent — with dates, amounts, and itemized descriptions of the completed work
- Proof of delivery — photos of the finished project, timestamped emails showing completed deliverables, file transfer receipts, or signed delivery confirmations
- Your demand letter and proof you sent it — certified mail receipt or tracking confirmation
- Communication records — emails, texts, or voicemails showing the client acknowledged the debt or went silent
Maine doesn't require a demand letter for a generic breach-of-contract claim, but sending one strengthens your case and sometimes prompts payment. Mail it via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof.
Filing the Statement of Claim
Complete Form SC-001 (Statement of Claim) for the Maine District Court where the cause of action arose (such as where the contract was made or breached), where the defendant lives, or where the defendant maintains an established place of business. The filing fee is $70, which includes a mandatory $15 CADRES mediation component. If you can't afford the fee, Form CV-067 lets you apply for a fee waiver.
In the claim narrative section, keep it factual and concise. State the work you performed, the invoiced amount, when payment was due, and that the defendant has not paid despite demand. Attach copies of your contract, invoices, and demand letter to the SC-001.
If you arrange service yourself, serve the defendant first, then file the original SC-001, proof of service, and the filing fee with the clerk within 20 days. If you request clerk-arranged service via Form SC-006 (available if you file fewer than three cases per month), submit the form and fees first; the clerk attempts service and files proof.
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At the Hearing
CADRES mediation happens first on your hearing day. Many unpaid invoice cases settle here — the defendant often prefers a payment plan to a formal judgment. If mediation doesn't resolve it, you'll proceed directly to trial before the judge.
Present your evidence in the order the work happened: contract, completed deliverables, invoices, demand letter, silence. Prepare three copies of everything — one for the judge, one for the defendant, and one for yourself.
If the defendant doesn't show up after proper service, you won't get an automatic judgment. You'll still need to present your evidence and prove the amount owed through sworn testimony or an affidavit. The judge then enters a default judgment.
What Happens After a Judgment
A judgment is a court order confirming the debt, not a check. If the defendant still doesn't pay within 30 days, you can file for a disclosure hearing (Form SC-003, $30 fee) to force them to reveal their income, bank accounts, and assets under oath. From there, the court can order installment payments or authorize bank account garnishment.
For the complete filing sequence — from demand letter through service, hearing prep, and all the forms — the Maine Small Claims Filing Guide walks through each step with deadline tracking and document checklists.
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