Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Maine
A. Legal Services for the Elderly Hotline: (800) 750-5353
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Elizabeth Gattine
Legal Services Developer
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Elder Services
442 Civic Center Drive
11 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0011
(207) 287-9200; or (800) 262-2233 fax (207) 287-9229
Web: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs.oes
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Brenda Gallant
State Long-term Care Ombudsman
Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
1 Weston Court
P.O. Box 128
Augusta, ME 04332
(207) 621-1079; fax (207) 621-0509
Web: http://www.maineombudsman.org
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to http://www.lsc.gov
Legal Services for the Elderly, Inc. (LSE) has five offices statewide with funding from the U.S. Administration on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and the Maine Department of Human Services, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services. LSE handles most civil law cases and operates a legal hotline.
Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
136 U.S. Route One
Scarborough, ME 04074
(207) 396-6500; (800) 427-7411
www.smaaa.org
Serves Serves Cumberland (except Brunswick) and York counties
SeniorsPlus
8 Falcon Road
P.O. Box 659
Lewiston, ME 04243-0659
(207) 795-4010
www.seniorsplus.org
Serves Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford
Central Maine Area Agency on Aging/Senior Spectrum
(207) 622-9212
www.seniorspectrum.com
Serves City of Brunswick; Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln,
Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo, and Brunswick counties
Eastern Agency on Aging
450 Essexx St.
Bangor, ME 04401
(207) 941-2865; (207) 941-2880; (800) 432-7812
www.eaaa.org
Serves Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington
Aroostook Agency on Aging, Inc.
(207) 764-4883; (800) 439-1789
Serves Aroostook
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Maine State Bar Association
Elder Law Section
Catherine Capobianco Miller Esquire, Chair
124 State St.
P.O. Box 788
Augusta, Maine 04332-0788
(207) 622-7523; fax (207) 623-0083
Web: http://www.mainebar.org/index.asp
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Maine Chapter
None listed
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
P.O. Box 547
Portland, ME 04112
(207) 774-4348; (800) 442-4293
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
University of Maine School of Law
246 Deering Ave.
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 780-4341
I. Attorney General's Office
G. Steven Rowe, Attorney General
State House Station 6
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 626-8800
Web: http://www.maine.gov/ag/
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
CARES, Inc.
47 Water St., Suite 104
Hallowell, ME 04347
(207) 622-7055; (800) 773-7055; fax (207) 621-1869
Email: capsite@aol.com
Web: www.caresinc.org
Disability Rights Center
24 Stone St.
P.O. Box 2007
Augusta, ME 04338
(207) 626-2774 (V/TTY); (800) 452-1948 (toll free V/TTY); fax (207) 621-1419
Web: http://www.advocate@drcme.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Maine State Bar Association
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section
P.O. Box 788
Augusta, ME 04332-0788
(207) 622-7523; fax: (207) 623-0085
Email: info@mainebar.org
This is a practice section of the Maine State Bar Association, comprised of both practicing neutrals and advocates who support greater use of ADR in resolving legal disputes. The section provides training, information, and support to the community, lawyers, and the judiciary on ADR matters.
Community Mediation Services
P.O. Box 177
Augusta, ME 04332-0177
(207) 621-6848; fax (207) 621-8399
Penquis Dispute Resolution Center
P.O. Box 1162
Bangor, ME 04404-1162
(207) 621-6848; fax (207) 973-3699
Community Mediation Center
222 St. John St.
Portland, ME 04102-3069
(207) 772-4070; fax (207) 874-7402
L. Other Projects
Advocates for Medicare Patients (AMPS)
Legal Services for the Elderly
9 Green St.
Augusta, ME 04338-2723
(207) 621-0374
This statewide program provides free representation to Medicare beneficiaries in claim denials, and conducts training and community education on Medicare issues.
Maine Medicare Education Partnership
Legal Services for the Elderly
9 Green St.
Augusta, ME 04338-2723
(800) 750- 5353; (207) 623-1797
MMEP helps Medicare beneficiaries understand their benefits, read their Explanation of Medicare Benefits, and know who to contact if they have questions.
Pine Tree Legal Services
(207) 774-8211; TTY 828-2308 ( Portland Office)
(207) 622-4731; TTY 623-7770 (Augusta Office)
(207) 942-8241; TTY 942-1060 (Bangor Office)
(207) 764-4349; TTY 764-2453 (Presque Isle Office)
Web: http://www.ptla.org
Pine Tree Legal Assistance provides civil legal assistance to people in Maine whose income is 125 percent of the federal income poverty level guidelines or less.
