# 14 M.R.S. § 6654: 14 §6654. Appearance of interested parties > Maine · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6654 ## Section - **Citation:** 14 M.R.S. § 6654 - **Heading:** 14 §6654. Appearance of interested parties - **Jurisdiction:** Maine - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** ME Code / Title 14 / Part 7 / Chapter 723 / Section 6654 ## Text If any person so summoned appears and claims title or an easement in the premises, or voluntarily appears as aforesaid and claims title or such easement, he shall by answer show cause why he should not be required to bring an action and try such title, or his title to such easement. The court shall make such decree respecting the bringing and prosecuting of such action as seems equitable and just. If any person so summoned appears and disclaims all right and title adverse to the plaintiff, he recovers his costs. If the court upon hearing finds that the allegations of the complaint are true and that notice by publication has been given as ordered, it shall make and enter a decree that all persons named in the complaint and all persons alleged to be unknown claiming by, through or under persons so named, and all persons named as grantees in any deed given by the defendant and recorded after the filing of the certificate, and all persons claiming under such grantee who have not so appeared, or who, having appeared, have disclaimed all right and title adverse to the plaintiff, or who, having appeared, shall disobey the order of the court to bring an action and try their title, shall be forever debarred and estopped from having or claiming any right or title adverse to the plaintiff in the premises described in the complaint; which decree shall within 30 days after it is finally granted be recorded in the registry of deeds for the county or district where the land lies, and shall be effectual to bar all right, title and interest, and all easements, of all persons, whether adults or minors, upon whom notice has been served, personally or by publication, and all persons named as grantees in any deed given by the defendant and recorded after the filing of said certificate and all persons claiming under such grantees. The court may in its discretion appoint agents or guardians ad litem to represent minors or other supposed claimants. If any person appears and claims an easement, however acquired, in such premises, he may bring an action to try the title thereto, alleging in his complaint how said easement was acquired and issue shall be framed accordingly. Any party may at his option assert such title or such easement by counterclaim in the plaintiff's action, but he shall not be required to do so. Trial of any action brought pursuant to a decree hereunder or of any counterclaim asserting such title or such easement shall be by jury, if brought in the Superior Court, unless waived. [PL 1971, c. 117, §5 (AMD).] ## Nearby sections - [14 M.R.S. § 6651 14 §6651. Summary proceedings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6651.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6652 14 §6652. Petition to remove easement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6652.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6653 14 §6653. Complaint; grantee as party](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6653.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6654 14 §6654. Appearance of interested parties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6654.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6655 14 §6655. Description of unknown persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6655.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6656 14 §6656. Service on missing defendant; agent; expenses](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6656.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6657 14 §6657. Proceedings in court](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6657.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6658 14 §6658. Action by owners of wild land](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6658.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6659 14 §6659. Action by abutters of discontinued road or way](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6659.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6660 14 §6660. Burden of proof](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6660.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6661 14 §6661. Application](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6661.md) - [14 M.R.S. § 6662 14 §6662. Extinguishment of mineral rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6662.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_T14_P7_C723_S6654. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.