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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: I have an annoying landlord who enjoys harassing us about our own life decisions.

N/A

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Oct 19, 2021

I suggest you contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance: https://ptla.org/contact-us#Augusta

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: After eviction for lease expiration, the tenant owes close to $10,000.00; how can landlord claim,track tenant&collect?

My understanding is that small claim court limit is much less than that in Maine. Do I need a lawyer? How much does it roughly cost?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Oct 13, 2021

You are correct about small claims court – the limit is $6,000. If the landlord is an entity, then the general rule is the entity needs to be represented in court by an attorney (it cannot represent itself). If the landlord is a natural person, he or she can represent themselves in court,... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts for Maine on
Q: I signed a year lease with a LLC in April. Recently the people that ran the LLC and owned the property sold it.

Do the new owners have to honor my lease if I stay within the lease agreement?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Oct 12, 2021

As a general matter, unless your lease contains a provision stating that, upon a sale of the property, the lease can be terminated and you can be evicted, your lease would still be in effect after the sale and the new owners would step in as your new landlord. Yes, the new owners have to honor your... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Do I have to pay my share of rental if I move before the lease ends and landlord does a walk through?

Signed a year lease on a 2 bedroom and my relationship with my roommate became untenable to where I did not feel comfortable staying there. I told the landlord that I

was going to move but would pay out the lease (two more months). I found another place and the landlord has done a... Read more »

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Sep 25, 2021

You say, “the manager made it clear I was not required to . . . pay out the lease (two more months).” If that constituted a binding agreement, then you have no legal obligation to pay any more rent.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Maine on
Q: My boss threatened to punch me what do I do
Carrie Dyer
Carrie Dyer answered on Sep 15, 2021

Provide a written complaint to your company's HR department regarding the incident so they can investigate.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Maine on
Q: My entire family contracted Lyme disease in the yard of our rental property. There were multiple ticks in the grass yard

(Maine) Tenants were expected to mow the yard with equipment provided by landlord. We mowed frequently and there were still many ticks right in the yard. I informed landlord and he didn’t take any measures to control the ticks. (Spraying or other preventative measures.) We even relocated because... Read more »

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar answered on Sep 3, 2021

A Maine attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for two weeks. This looks like it could be a difficult case. Although your family experienced a genuine ordeal, the problem could be in establishing the connection between the yard and the disease. Ticks are pervasive everywhere. I... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Maine on
Q: Will a judge change a custody agreement if it means the other parent will lose his job?

I have my child every weekend and 1 week a month, my ex wife decided out of the blue that she now wants it one week on one week off so she gets weekends too. I work out of state during the week and take one week off every month. If this change goes through I will have to leave my job of 15 years.... Read more »

Robert Guillory Esq
Robert Guillory Esq answered on Sep 2, 2021

in my experience a judge would be unlikely to do this. if you say that you cannot take the child during the week the judge will not order you to lose your job. However the judge might very well order that mom gets some weekend time so you would have to decide if you want to ask for time during the... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: I paid ( in full) a year long lease and my landlord died. Can the new owner evict before my paid lease is up?

They have already had a sheriff server everyone in nearby units, but we paid the whole year upfront.

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Aug 24, 2021

The answer will depend primarily if not exclusively on the terms of the lease, but the fact that you paid a year's worth of rent upfront may entitle you to remain in the leased property until the end of that period.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: Boyfriend and my name on deed but mortgage in my name. If we sell house, does he get money?

He brought no cash to the table and it is all my money. Mortgage is in my name only

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Aug 17, 2021

I would need to know more facts, but the answer is probably yes because he is a co-owner of the property. An important question is how do the two of you hold title to the property - as tenants in common or joint tenants? You should consult with an experienced Maine real estate lawyer who can review... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: We bought a camp from family. They insisted on having rights to use the property. It isn’t working snd we want to change

We bought the property above appraised value. It allowed his aunt snd uncle (the owners) her two kids and grandchild lifetime use. For up to two weeks. The cousin has basically moved in. If we sell the house to ourselves or a trust can we get them off the use agreement?

Anthony M. Avery
Anthony M. Avery answered on Aug 13, 2021

Not exactly sure of your situation, but straw deeds are not going to extinguish life estates in the chain of title. Apparently you have the remainder after their life estates and/or you did not have a competent attorney to draft that deed. Hire one now to search the title and determine the... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for Maine on
Q: Is my case appealable?

I am a Pro se Plaintiff, I filed a motion to modify a year later we had a hearing. My ex had a lawyer I did not. I followed all rules of civil procedure and certified mail my copies of all exhibits I was using during the hearing. Our case was over ZOOM. Day 1 I tried to present my case my exs... Read more »

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

The first thing you need to be concerned about is Maine Rule of Appellate Procedure 2B(c)(1), which provides: "The time within which an appeal may be taken in a civil case shall be 21 days after entry into the docket of the judgment or order appealed from, unless a shorter time is provided by... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Gov & Administrative Law for Maine on
Q: How do you set up a trust for your house so the state doesn’t take it?

My dad had a heart attack and found he has cancer but only has mainecare. The stare will take the house when he passed and I’m trying to help him so it will be put in his children’s names as a trust.

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 13, 2021

This is a specialized area of the law and you would be best served by contacting and discussing your situation with a Maine attorney who has experience in this area.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Probate for Maine on
Q: Got a lease 10/1/20 for 1 year and month to month after. Landlord passed 01/21. Haven't heard a peep. He lived in NY.

I went as far as calling the bank, then calling the probate court,, getting the lawyers name, calling and leaving a voicemail and have not heard anything. Reecntly financial troubles arose I had to dip into the saved rent money and now do not have what I would technically owe. I am fearful someone... Read more »

Daniel J. Eccher
Daniel J. Eccher answered on Jul 13, 2021

You are in a very tenuous situation; you should be looking for a new home for both you and your parents that you can afford. It seems as if you have paid for repairs, but you have not guarantee that you will ever be reimbursed for that. Do you know how much the mortgage payments are? If you are... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Maine on
Q: Can a landlord evict me after I took back property he stole from me?

I got a pressure washer for free one fall day with the landlords boyfriend. Stored it under the porch to my apartment. boyfriend then took it, told me he threw it away because he thought it was his. He pulled it out of his garage 2wks later asked me to check it over and see what it needed to work.... Read more »

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 12, 2021

You have not provided enough facts for me to answer your question. For example, do you have a written lease? Did the landlord provide you with a written notice to quit? If so, what did it say?

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights for Maine on
Q: I’ve used this shampoo for months how can I be apart of the class action
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 9, 2021

Without knowing the shampoo you used, I cannot help you. Please provide the name of the shampoo and I may be able to help you.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Maine on
Q: I was injured in a fall in 2018! I tripped going into the hotel! My sneaker caught the metal lip on the entrance!

I broke my shoulder and smashed my rotator cuff! Had a reverse shoulder replacement! I still do not have very good control of my arm! Can I file a claim against the hotel?

Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 9, 2021

You should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your situation. Many offer free initial consultations.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Maine on
Q: What do I do if I have any of the products in question? Thank you .
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 9, 2021

Without knowing "the products in question," I cannot help you. Please specify what they are.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: I own 257 acres in Maine as Joint Tenants with another couple. We both have our own homes. Can I sell my half
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 9, 2021

Assuming the 257 acres are owned by all the joint tenants as one lot, no, you cannot sell your half of that property unless and until you divide the entire lot into two lots first, such that you alone own your "half." To do so, you would either need the consent of your other joint tenants... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Maine on
Q: I own 257 acres in Maine as Joint Tenants with another couple. We both have our own homes. Can I sell my half
Fred Bopp III
Fred Bopp III answered on Jul 9, 2021

Assuming the 257 acres are owned by all the joint tenants as one lot, no, you cannot sell your half of that property unless and until you divide the entire lot into two lots first, such that you alone own your "half." To do so, you would either need the consent of your other joint tenants... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Criminal Law for Maine on
Q: left the scene of a pd accident no damage to property and not much to my vehicle either i was charged with class c

what can i expect to get when i go to court for this there also was no alcohol or drugs involved

Hunter J Tzovarras
Hunter J Tzovarras answered on Jul 3, 2021

The first court date is an initial appearance. The Judge will make sure you're aware of the charge and maximum penalties, which for a Class C felony charge is up to 5 years in prison and $5000 fine, the Judge will find out whether you're going to hire a lawyer, or ask to have a lawyer... Read more »

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