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CIVIL DIVISION

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The Civil Division is responsible for serving all civil process in Lincoln County. Divorce summonses, eviction paperwork, civil subpoenas and small claims paperwork are a few examples of the documents that we serve. The Civil Division staff is committed to serving civil process paperwork for the communities of Alna, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Bremen, Bristol, Damariscotta, Dresden, Edgecomb, Jefferson, Monhegan Island, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Somerville, South Bristol, Southport, Waldoboro, Westport Island, Whitefield and Wiscasset.

Civil papers are served 7 days a week. Out of state requests and pro-service papers
require advanced payment.


(2023 Service Rate - effective December 29, 2023)

 

WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL SERVICE OF PROCESS?

We will need an original and a copy of the paperwork that you want served. If you have already filed your complaint with the court, then we will need a copy of all of the documents to be served as well as the original summons. Successful service of process depends on the information that you provide.

Please fill in the Service Request Form and include  the following: Your name, address and phone number (daytime and evening). We understand that you may not have all of the following information on the party to be served, so please provide whatever information that you can.

Defendants with rural route or post office box service addresses:
We cannot serve defendants at rural route addresses or post office boxes. If you are unable to provide a street address we can request a postal inquiry from the postal service. You may request that we try this method of acquiring a street address, but you need to request this in your cover letter. There is an additional fee of $10.00 for this process.

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Common Reasons for Service Requests to be Returned

  • We sometimes return your legal documents for the reason(s) listed below. Once corrected, please feel free to return them for service.

  • In order for us to attempt service, in accordance with Maine Revised Statute, title 14, § 702, we are requesting that you send a retainer of $ ____________.  Any unused portion of your retainer will be refunded or any additional charges will be billed to you. Please make check payable to Treasurer, Lincoln County. We only accept bank checks or money orders.

  • We have not been paid for the last service(s) or have had a problem in the past receiving prompt payment.

  • We need additional copies in order to attempt service.

  • We need an original _________________________________ for us to complete  a Return-of-Service.

  • Papers are incomplete or not completely filled out (vital information missing).

  • Address given is a P.O. Box or a R.F.D. number.  Please provide us with a street/road address.

  • Address provided is not in Lincoln County.

  • We need a Certificate of Indigence. The Office of Courts requires it in order to pay us for service.  We will also need proof of attempted service by mail if required by the Court, before we can attempt service.

  • Other:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Service Rates

Deputy William Bragg
Bremen, Bristol, Chamberlain,

New Harbor, Nobleboro, Pemaquid, Pemaquid Harbor, Pemaquid Point, Round Pond, South Bristol, Waldoboro, Walpole

Deputy Stephen House
Alna, Dresden, Two Bridges Regional Jail, Westport Island, Wiscasset

Deputy Alan Shea
Damariscotta, Newcastle, Jefferson, Somerville, Whitefield

Deputy David Pratt
Barter’s Island, Boothbay,'

Boothbay Harbor, East Boothbay, 

Edgecomb, Monhegan Island,

Sawyer’s Island, Southport, Trevett

Territories Served

7 Day Notice to Quit – can be served anytime as long as defendant is more than 7 days late on his/her rent, can be posted on the 3rd good faith attempt.

30 Day Notice to Quit – has to be served on/before rent due date, and run 30 days from that date, can be posted on the 3rd good faith attempt.

Contempt Subpoena and Motion for Contempt – 10 days before hearing. (one service fee as they need to be served together).  IN HAND.

Disclosure Subpoena – 10 days before hearing. (Can be served to individual of suitable age & discretion).

Forcible Entry & Detainer – 14 days before hearing.

Guardianship – 14 days before hearing.

Motion – 7 days before hearing.

Order – at sender’s request.  COULD BE IN HAND, DEPENDING ON ORDER.

Statement of Claim (small claims) – 7 days before hearing.

Summons and Complaints – within 60 days after filing or whatever is requested by the Attorneys as there might be a statute of limitation.

Witness Subpoena for Trial, Records or Deposition – check date on subpoena, give proper notice for Records and Deposition. IN HAND

Writ of Execution – ASAP, this is normally used to remove money from bank accounts.

Writ of Possession – ASAP, if it is used for an eviction, it gives the tenant 48 hours to move out or they can be arrested for criminal trespassing.  Can be posted after 3 good faith attempts on 3 separate days.  IN HAND IF PERSONAL PROPERTY.

Writ of Replevin – ASAP, used to recover property.  IN HAND.

Service Dates
Anchor Service rates

 â€‹Updated 08-29-2024

Pre-payment is required for all services.

In-state service requests will be a $100 fee and

out-of-state service requests will be a $120 fee.

Should the cost of service exceed the pre-payment amount

you will be invoiced accordingly.

Any refunds over $5 will be returned promptly.

Refund amounts less than $5.00 will not be refunded.

Questions about Civil process and/or fees may be directed to (207)-882-6576

 

Service                                                                                                    $40.00
      Non court required documentation of service                              $10.00
State of Maine Service/DHHS/ AG’s Office                                         $40.00
Out of State Service w/Notary                                                             $73.00 
Diligent or New Address Search                                                          $40.00
Out of State (court) Diligent Search                                                     $50.00
Civil Order of Arrest or Order of Appearance                                     $60.00
Paternity Proceedings                                                                          $60.00 
Postal Inquiry                                                                                         $10.00
Expedited                                                                                                $40.00
Out of State (court) Expedited                                                              $60.00
Mail Notice                                                                                              $ 4.00
Pick-Up                                                                                                   $10.00
Writ of Execution                                                                           2% + $ 3.00
Affidavit with Notary                                                                             $18.00
Notary                                                                                                       $8.00
Additional Hourly Labor-Special Detail                                               $65.00
Enforcement of Writ of Possession hourly fee with 3hr min            $81.24
Dep Hourly rate                                                   Academy certified $
                                                                              100 hr course cert.   $27.08
Personal Information                                                                               $5.00
Fax                                                                                                              $4.00
Copies per page                                                                                        $1.00
Phone calls                                                                                                $2.25
Deposit                                                                                     $100.00 in-state
                                                                                           $120.00 out-of-state
County Fee                                                                                               $25.00
Mandatory Tax Withholding                                                                         10%
Mileage                                                                                                       $0.67
State/indigent mileage                                                                             $0.46
$5.00 fee assessed each month on unpaid invoices

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