Breach of Contract Statute of Limitations in Maine

Last verified 2026-07 · Source: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752 ✓ verified · 3 sources

The deadline

6 years

from Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach), under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752.

The deadline to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Maine is 6 years, set by Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752. It starts running on Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach). This page covers the exceptions, the government-claim trap, and the steps to take before time runs out.

Maine Deadlines for Related Claims

Claim type	Deadline	Statute
Breach of Contract	6 years	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752
Car Accident	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752
Credit Card Debt	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752
Medical Malpractice	3 yrs	24 M.R.S. § 2902
Wrongful Death	3 yrs	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 18-C, § 2-807
Personal Injury	6 yrs	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752
Dog Bite	6 yrs	7 M.R.S. § 3961
Slip and Fall	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752
Defamation	2 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 753
Medical Debt	6 yrs	14 M.R.S. § 752

When the Clock Starts

In Maine, the limitations period for breach of contract claims generally begins on Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach). Maine does not apply a general discovery rule to this claim type — the date of the event controls, which makes early action critical.

Exceptions That Can Extend the Deadline

Minors: the clock is generally paused while the injured person is under 18.
Fraudulent concealment: if the defendant actively hid the wrongdoing, the deadline may be extended until it was or should have been uncovered.
Defendant leaves the state: absence can pause the clock in many circumstances.

6-year period applies to both written and oral contracts under the general civil actions limitation. Contracts under seal receive a 20-year period under 14 M.R.S. § 751. Minor tolling under 14 M.R.S. § 853 suspends the limitations period during minority and other disabilities.

Source: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752, official Maine statute · verified 2026-07

What to Do Before the Deadline Runs

Pin down your accrual date — the day the clock started — and calendar the deadline conservatively.
Preserve evidence now: photos, records, witness contacts, bills. Evidence decays faster than deadlines.
Send preservation/notice letters where required (especially for Maine government defendants).
If the deadline is inside 6 months, treat it as urgent — filing suit is the only reliable way to stop the clock.

How Maine Compares to Nearby States

State	Deadline	Statute
Maine	6 years	Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752
New Hampshire	3 yrs	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4
Massachusetts	6 yrs	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260, § 2
Vermont	6 yrs	12 V.S.A. § 511

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a breach of contract lawsuit in Maine?

You have 6 years from Date the cause of action accrues (typically date of breach), under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, § 752.

Can I still sue after 6 years in Maine?

Usually no — courts dismiss claims filed after the statute of limitations expires. Narrow exceptions (tolling for minors, fraudulent concealment) can extend the deadline; whether one applies depends on your facts.

What if the victim was a minor?

Maine generally pauses ("tolls") the deadline while the injured person is under 18, giving them time to file after reaching adulthood. Special limits can still apply, so check the statute.

Sources

Official Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 § 752 — Six years (legislature.maine.gov)
Corroborating 2025 Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 § 752 — Six years :: Justia
Corroborating Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 § 752 :: FindLaw
Verified 2026-07 under our 4-step process — every line checked against the sources above. How we verify

This page is legal information, not legal advice. Deadlines have exceptions that depend on your facts — confirm with a licensed Maine attorney.