Can I Get a Free Lawyer in Maine? Pine Tree Legal 2026
Yes, If You Qualify By Income
Yes, Pine Tree Legal provides free civil legal assistance to low-income Maine residents with household incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines (and below 125% after deductions like housing costs). Pine Tree Legal Assistance is a civil legal aid organization helping people with non-criminal legal issues. In late 2025, Pine Tree launched its PTLA Forms Project with new self-help tools for Mainers, including fillable court forms and legal resources.
Why This Matters to You
This affects you if you’re facing eviction, benefits denial, consumer debt, family law issues, or other civil legal problems without money for an attorney. Understanding Pine Tree Legal could save you from losing your home, missing critical benefits, or navigating courts alone. In 2023, Pine Tree served over 1 million people through direct legal aid, outreach, and its websites, but can only offer one-on-one help to less than 1 out of every 5 people who contact them due to limited resources.
What You Came to Know
What Is Pine Tree Legal Maine?
Since 1967, Pine Tree has been the primary nonprofit provider of free legal services to low-income Maine residents, including veterans, with non-criminal cases. Pine Tree’s mission is ensuring state and federal laws affecting poor people are upheld while addressing systemic barriers to justice faced by Mainers with low incomes.
The organization receives funding from the Legal Services Corporation (federal appropriation), State of Maine allocations, Maine Justice Foundation, Campaign for Justice, United Ways, federal grants, and donations from foundations and individuals.
What Legal Problems Does Pine Tree Help With?
Common problems Pine Tree helps solve include rental housing issues like eviction, unsafe housing, or bedbugs; benefits problems with SNAP, TANF, MaineCare, or General Assistance; kids not getting proper education or services; and consumer issues like debt collectors, credit cards, student loans, property taxes, foreclosures.
Current Pine Tree priorities include preservation of housing and related needs; maintaining income and economic stability; promoting safety, health, and well-being; improving outcomes for Maine children and youth; enforcing workplace protections for low-wage workers; and meeting legal needs of vulnerable populations.
Bottom line: Pine Tree also handles IRS and federal income tax problems through their Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, and housing discrimination based on race, religion, disability, or having children.
Who Is Eligible for Pine Tree Legal Services?
By federal rules most Pine Tree services are limited to people with household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and below 125% after deductions such as housing costs. Some programs allow higher incomes. For a single-person household in 2026, 200% of federal poverty level is approximately $30,120 annually.
Here’s the truth: Pine Tree won’t take family law cases except those related to sexual assault or domestic violence through special referral relationships with local advocacy organizations. They don’t handle criminal cases or traffic violations.
How Do You Actually Get Help From Pine Tree?
Pine Tree’s first step is an intake with trained paralegals who talk privately to get information about you and your situation. They’ll ask about your legal problem, household size, income, assets, and demographics including citizenship status.
You can visit Pine Tree’s website anytime to access fillable court forms, self-help tools and materials. Their online Find Legal Help tool leads you to helpful information for your situation. Check their website for current telephone and walk-in hours.
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What You Must Know
Most People Get Advice, Not Full Representation
Most clients who reach Pine Tree by phone get immediate advice on their problem, including things they could do to resolve it themselves. Some receive written materials or referrals to specific information on ptla.org. Others are referred to agencies which can more appropriately resolve their crisis.
Of the 6,300 cases closed in 2023, clients in more than 45% received legal representation in court or administrative hearing. Of cases receiving representation, 97% were resolved favorably.
Most sites won’t tell you this, but: Getting assigned a lawyer for full representation depends on case complexity, available resources, and priority categories. Don’t assume you’ll automatically get court representation—many clients successfully resolve issues through advice and self-help resources alone.
Immigration Status Won’t Be Reported
Because some of Pine Tree’s funders require it, they will ask about your immigration status. They will never share this information with USCIS or ICE. Pine Tree Legal Assistance is not a government agency—they work for their clients, and in many cases represent people having problems with government agencies.
Language Access Is Available
If you come to Pine Tree’s office, ask for a translator right away—they’ll provide one free. You can also call 207-774-8211, press “2,” then press 1 for Spanish, 2 for Chinese, 3 for French, 4 for Arabic, 5 for Somali, 6 for Portuguese, or 7 for Vietnamese.
What to Do Next
Use the Online Self-Help Tools First
Visit ptla.org to access Pine Tree’s Find Legal Help tool, fillable court forms, and self-help guides on housing, consumer debt, benefits, family law, and more. Recent additions include guides on tenant rights, eviction, unsafe housing, utilities, debt collection, MaineCare, SNAP, TANF, property taxes, foreclosure, and domestic violence protections.
Call During Intake Hours
Visit Pine Tree’s website for current telephone and walk-in hours. Phone hours can be busy, but they speak with as many people as possible given their resources. Have your income documentation, details about your legal problem, and household information ready when you call.
Know Alternative Resources
If Pine Tree can’t help, contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project at (800) 442-4293 or (207) 774-4348 in Portland. Maine Equal Justice Partners provides legal advocacy for low-income residents to assure access to basic rights and services. For criminal matters, visit resources outlined in Criminal Lawyer.
💡 Pro Tip
Don’t wait until you’re in court to contact Pine Tree Legal. Early intervention often prevents legal problems from escalating. If you’re facing eviction, benefits termination, or debt collection, call immediately—once court dates are set, your options become much more limited. Pine Tree’s advice lines can sometimes resolve issues with a single phone call before they reach crisis level.
FAQs
Does Pine Tree Legal charge for services?
No. Pine Tree gives advice and represents people who qualify for their services at no cost. Sometimes clients may have to pay for things like court costs, but Pine Tree never charges for legal advice or services.
How long does it take to get help from Pine Tree?
Phone hours can be busy. Leave a message with your location in the state, type of issue, and how they can reach you. Response times vary based on case urgency and available resources. Emergency housing issues typically get faster responses.
Can Pine Tree help with my divorce?
In most cases, Pine Tree does not accept family law cases. If you need help with divorce or parental rights, contact the Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project. Pine Tree only handles family law related to sexual assault or domestic violence through referrals.
What if I make slightly over the income limit?
Some Pine Tree programs allow higher incomes beyond the standard 200% poverty guideline threshold. Contact them anyway—eligibility varies by program type. They’ll tell you right away if you don’t qualify and can refer you to other resources.
Does Pine Tree handle landlord-tenant disputes?
Yes. Rental housing issues like eviction, unsafe housing, and bedbugs are among the most common problems Pine Tree helps solve. Housing preservation is Pine Tree’s top priority area.
Can Pine Tree help if I’m being sued by a debt collector?
Yes. Consumer issues like debt collectors, credit cards, student loans, property taxes, and foreclosures fall within Pine Tree’s service areas. Contact them as soon as you receive lawsuit papers—waiting reduces your options.
What’s the KIDS LEGAL program?
Created in 2004, KIDS LEGAL is a specialty unit within Pine Tree exclusively focused on addressing unique needs of low-income children and youth in Maine. It’s Maine’s first and only children’s rights project, providing direct representation to children, youth, and parents or caregivers on their behalf.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Pine Tree Legal Assistance and legal aid services in Maine for informational purposes only. Pine Tree Legal’s services, eligibility requirements, and service areas may change as organizational priorities and funding evolve. This article does not establish an attorney-client relationship. AllAboutLawyer.com does not provide legal services, does not represent Pine Tree Legal Maine or any legal aid organization, and is not affiliated with Pine Tree Legal Assistance. For specific legal advice about your situation and service eligibility, contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance directly at ptla.org or call during intake hours for personalized guidance on accessing free legal aid in Maine.
Need help understanding your legal rights in other areas? Explore more legal guides and resources at AllAboutLawyer.com covering consumer protection, housing law, benefits eligibility, and your rights under Maine state law.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Last Updated: February 9, 2026 — We keep this current with the latest legal developments
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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