§6654. Appearance of interested parties
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).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1971, c. 117, §5 (AMD).
Structure Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 14: COURT PROCEDURE -- CIVIL
Part 7: PARTICULAR PROCEEDINGS
Chapter 723: PROCEEDINGS TO QUIET TITLE
14 §6652. Petition to remove easement
14 §6653. Complaint; grantee as party
14 §6654. Appearance of interested parties
14 §6655. Description of unknown persons
14 §6656. Service on missing defendant; agent; expenses
14 §6657. Proceedings in court
14 §6658. Action by owners of wild land
14 §6659. Action by abutters of discontinued road or way
14 §6662. Extinguishment of mineral rights
14 §6663. Claim of prescriptive easement over abandoned way (REPEALED)