Guide to Small Claims Proceedings in the District Court - The Disclosure Hearing
At the disclosure hearing, you should be prepared to ask the debtor questions about the debtor's assets and income. The debtor will be placed under oath by the judge. You may present evidence to show that the debtor can pay the judgment. Either party may subpoena witnesses. The judge will determine whether the debtor should pay the entire amount at once or in installment payments, or whether property owned by the debtor should be turned over to you. A person who is awarded a money judgment is entitled to interest.
However, if the debtor's income or property is exempt under Maine law,
the disclosure will be terminated, which means that you will have to wait
six months before having the debtor brought back to court for another
disclosure hearing. Examples of types of income that are exempt from court
order include social security benefits, veteran's benefits and unemployment
benefits. Other kinds of income and property are also exempt. A list of
exempt properties is found in Maine Revised Statutes, Title
14 section 4422.
