Maine Foreclosure Defense Answer and Optional Mediation Request
MAINE FORECLOSURE DEFENSE ANSWER AND OPTIONAL MEDIATION REQUEST
Before you use this: Serve and file the answer within the time set by the summons, court order, and Me. R. Civ. P. 12(a). The ordinary Rule 12(a) period is 20 days after service of the summons, complaint, and electronic-service notice. An owner-occupant who seeks foreclosure mediation may request it in this answer under Rule 93(c)(1). Check whether the property and borrower qualify before selecting that request.
STATE OF MAINE — [SUPERIOR / DISTRICT] COURT
[COUNTY / DISTRICT COURT LOCATION]
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| [PLAINTIFF NAME], | Plaintiff |
| v. | |
| [DEFENDANT NAME], | Defendant |
| [ADDITIONAL PARTIES, IF ANY], | Other parties |
Docket No.: [________________]
DEFENDANT'S ANSWER TO FORECLOSURE COMPLAINT
TITLE TO REAL ESTATE IS INVOLVED
Defendant [FULL NAME] answers the complaint as follows. Each numbered response below corresponds to the complaint paragraph identified in it.
1. Responses to the complaint
-
Complaint paragraph [NUMBER]: ☐ Admitted. ☐ Denied. ☐ Admitted only as follows: [SPECIFIC TRUE PORTION]; the remainder is denied. ☐ Defendant lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about this allegation and therefore denies it. Explanation, if needed: [FACTS OR NONE].
-
Complaint paragraph [NUMBER]: ☐ Admitted. ☐ Denied. ☐ Admitted only as follows: [SPECIFIC TRUE PORTION]; the remainder is denied. ☐ Defendant lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about this allegation and therefore denies it. Explanation, if needed: [FACTS OR NONE].
-
Complaint paragraph [NUMBER]: ☐ Admitted. ☐ Denied. ☐ Admitted only as follows: [SPECIFIC TRUE PORTION]; the remainder is denied. ☐ Defendant lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief about this allegation and therefore denies it. Explanation, if needed: [FACTS OR NONE].
2. Specific defenses supported by the record
Defendant asserts the following defenses based on the facts stated below.
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Right-to-cure notice, if applicable. The property is Defendant's primary residence, the loan is for personal, family, or household use, and the alleged default concerns [MISSED LOAN / TAX / INSURANCE PAYMENT]. The notice required by 14 M.R.S. § 6111 was deficient in this specific respect: [IDENTIFY MISSING CONTENT, RECIPIENT, DELIVERY METHOD, OR 35-DAY OPPORTUNITY]. Defendant received or located the following records: [DATES AND RECORDS]. Defendant disputes Plaintiff's allegation that the required notice was strictly performed.
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Ownership or complaint proof, if applicable. Defendant disputes Plaintiff's alleged entitlement to enforce this mortgage because [SPECIFIC FACTS ABOUT THE NOTE, MORTGAGE, ASSIGNMENT, OR ENDORSEMENT]. The complaint or its exhibits lack or contradict the following item required by 14 M.R.S. § 6321: [IDENTIFY ITEM AND COMPLAINT PAGE]. Defendant requests that Plaintiff prove its claim with the instruments and ownership evidence required by that section.
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Payment or accounting, if applicable. Plaintiff alleges $[AMOUNT] due as of [DATE]. Defendant disputes $[AMOUNT] of that figure because [IDENTIFY PAYMENT, CREDIT, FEE, OR ACCOUNTING ERROR WITH DATES]. Supporting records are [IDENTIFY RECORDS]. The corrected figure Defendant can substantiate is $[AMOUNT / UNKNOWN PENDING ACCOUNTING].
-
Other supported affirmative defense, if applicable. [NAME THE DEFENSE, THE RULE OR LAW THAT APPLIES, AND THE FACTS THAT SATISFY IT. DO NOT LIST AN UNSUPPORTED DEFENSE.]
3. Optional foreclosure mediation request
☐ Defendant is an owner-occupant of this primary residence, which is residential property with no more than four units, and requests referral to the Foreclosure Diversion Program under 14 M.R.S. § 6321-A and Me. R. Civ. P. 93. Defendant will participate in the court's informational session and mediation process. Best contact for scheduling: [PHONE OR MAILING ADDRESS].
☐ Defendant does not request mediation in this answer. Delete the preceding selection.
4. Requested relief
Defendant asks the Court to consider the supported denials and defenses above, require Plaintiff to prove each element of its claim, deny relief that Plaintiff does not prove, and grant any further relief the Court determines proper. If the qualifying mediation selection above is checked, Defendant also asks the Court to refer this case to foreclosure mediation.
Dated: [__/__/____]
Signature of Defendant or counsel: ______________________________
Printed name: [________________________________]
Maine bar number, if signed by counsel: [____________ / NOT APPLICABLE]
Mailing address: [________________________________]
Telephone: [________________________________]
Email, if required or elected for service: [________________________________]
Certificate of service
I certify that on [__/__/____], I served a copy of this answer on [PLAINTIFF'S COUNSEL OR UNREPRESENTED PLAINTIFF] by [METHOD PER RULE 5], at [SERVICE ADDRESS OR ELECTRONIC ADDRESS]. I filed the answer with the [COURT NAME] on [__/__/____].
Signature: ______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]
Official sources
About this template
- Last updated
- October 28, 2026
- Citations checked
- October 28, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Maine
- Category
- Real Estate
Legal authority
- 14 M.R.S. § 6321 (foreclosure complaint and proof of note ownership)
- 14 M.R.S. § 6111(1), (1-A), (2-A) (residential right-to-cure notice)
- 14 M.R.S. § 6321-A(3), (6) (eligible owner-occupant mediation)
- Me. R. Civ. P. 5(a), 8(b)-(d), 10(a)-(b), 11(a), 12(a), 93(c)(1), (3)
Real estate documents transfer ownership, define who can use a property, and record agreements between buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. Deeds, purchase agreements, leases, and easements have to be drafted to meet state recording requirements, and mistakes show up at closing or years later in title disputes. Good real estate paperwork moves transactions forward quickly and avoids the kind of problems that only surface when it is time to sell or refinance.
Not legal advice
This template is provided for informational purposes. We recommend having an attorney review any legal document before signing, especially for high-value or complex matters.
Checked against the law it cites
A reviewer verified this template's legal citations against the official source on October 28, 2026.
14 M.R.S. § 6321 (checked October 28, 2026): "In order to state a claim for foreclosure upon which relief can be granted, the complaint must contain a certification of proof of ownership of the mortgage note."
14 M.R.S. § 6111(1) (checked October 28, 2026): "until at least 35 days after the date that written notice pursuant to subsection 1‑A is given by the mortgagee to the mortgagor and any cosigner against whom the mortgagee is enforcing the obligation secured by the mortgage at the last known addresses of the mortgagor and any cosigner that the mortgagor has the right to cure the default"
14 M.R.S. § 6111(1-A) (checked October 28, 2026): "A mortgagee shall include in the written notice under subsection 1 the following:"
14 M.R.S. § 6111(2-A) (checked October 28, 2026): "A mortgagee shall provide notice to a mortgagor and any cosigner under this section to the last known addresses of the mortgagor and cosigner by both:"
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