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Maine Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) FAQ

Notice: The Maine HAF Program is winding down. Complete applications received after January 10, 5 PM will be put on a waitlist.
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What happens if I am sued for a debt in Maine District Court?

What happens if I am sued for a debt in district court?   If you are sued for a debt in district court, the creditor is the Plaintiff and you are the Defendant.  
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Rights of Maine Renters: Heat and Utility Charges for Common Areas

If you live in an apartment building, you may find out that you are paying for heat, lights, or other utilities for "common areas." This includes, for example, hallways, basements, or a common hot water heater or furnace. It is illegal for your landlord to make you pay those costs alone. For example, the hall lights should not be hooked up to your… More
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Rights of Maine Renters: Cable TV, Dishes, and Antennas

If I live in an apartment building, can my landlord stop me from getting cable TV, a satellite dish or an antenna? Generally, no. Your landlord can only refuse to allow these installations if they have "good cause" to deny that particular company. "Good cause" could be:
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Rights of Maine Renters: Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking

Sometimes landlords react to sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking by taking action against the victim. There are state and federal laws that can help if this happens to you.
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Consent and Maine Law

What is consent? Consent is when you give permission for something to happen. Consent is an important part of sex. A person’s consent to a sexual activity should be:
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Sexual Assault in the LGBTQ+ Community in Maine: You can get help

Sexual assault affects many members of the LGBTQ+ community. Many Maine organizations work to serve the needs of LGBTQ+ survivors.
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Child Sexual Abuse & Normal Child Sexual Behavior

How do I know if my child’s sexual behavior is normal or a sign of abuse?  As a caregiver, you may be worried about a child if they start displaying sexualized behaviors. Your instinct may be to think something has happened to the child, but that is not always the case. Some child sexualized behavior is healthy.
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Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Sexual Assault and Schools

If you (or your child) have been sexually assaulted at school, there are laws that can help protect you. One of the most important laws is called Title IX (Title Nine). Title IX says that schools that get federal funding cannot discriminate based on sex. This includes almost all elementary schools, high schools, and colleges. Title IX says that… More
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Can I get a protection from abuse order if I am a survivor of sexual assault?

Yes! Usually to get a Protection from Abuse (PFA) Order, the abuser and survivor need to be family or household members or dating partners. Pine Tree Legal Assistance helps survivors of sexual assault get PFA orders across the state of Maine. Contact your local sexual assault advocacy center to connect to our services!