If your marriage is ending, you're fighting over the kids, or someone has filed a protection order against you in Maine, every move now matters. Maine runs family cases through the District Court's Family Division under Title 19-A — and the rules on property, parental rights and support are nothing like what you'll read for another state. Before you sign anything or miss a hearing, call 1-844-690-0555 for free. You'll reach an AI legal assistant trained on Maine and federal law, any hour, no income test and no form to fill out. It's legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Maine.
Right now: do not move out of the family home or sign any agreement before you understand how it affects custody and property. If you've been served with a divorce complaint or a Protection from Abuse order, note the date — deadlines run from service, not from when you read it. If there's a temporary PFA, follow it to the letter even if you believe it's unfair; violating it is a separate crime. Then call 1-844-690-0555 for free, 24/7 information on exactly what Maine's Title 19-A means for your situation.
Here's what blindsides Maine parents: there is no 'custody' or 'visitation' in Title 19-A. The statute speaks of 'parental rights and responsibilities,' which the court awards as allocated, shared or sole under § 1653, and 'parent-child contact' instead of visitation. The trap is the word 'shared.' Shared parental rights and responsibilities means parents jointly make major decisions — school, medical, religion — but it does NOT mean the child's time is split down the middle. The court still names a primary residence based on the child's best interest. Parents routinely agree to 'shared' rights thinking they've secured equal time, then discover otherwise. If you've been handed a proposed order using these terms, call 1-844-690-0555 before you sign — free, 24/7, information not advice.
If money is tight, Maine has real, free and low-cost help for family law. These organizations are genuinely relevant to divorce, custody, support and protection orders — and the hotline can point you to the right one.
Do I need a fault ground to divorce in Maine?
No. Maine's most common ground under 19-A M.R.S. § 902 is irreconcilable marital differences — a no-fault ground where neither spouse has to prove wrongdoing. Fault grounds like adultery or cruel and abusive treatment still exist, but you don't need them. For free help deciding what fits your situation, call 1-844-690-0555.
How long does a Maine divorce take?
There's a mandatory 60-day waiting period that runs from the date your spouse is served, and it cannot be waived even in a fully agreed case — so the earliest finalization is roughly 60 to 90 days. Contested divorces with custody and property fights often take 9 to 18 months. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on your likely timeline.
Is Maine a community-property state?
No. Maine is an equitable-distribution state under § 953. The court sets aside each spouse's non-marital property and divides the marital property in proportions it considers just — which is fair, not necessarily equal. That distinction matters a lot in practice; call 1-844-690-0555 to understand how it applies to you. This is legal information, not legal advice.
What's the difference between shared and sole parental rights?
Under § 1653, shared parental rights and responsibilities means parents jointly make major decisions about the child, while sole means one parent decides. Neither term by itself sets the parenting schedule — the court names a primary residence and parent-child contact based on the child's best interest. Don't assume 'shared' means equal time. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free clarity before you agree to anything.
How is child support calculated in Maine?
Maine uses an income-shares model under § 2006. The court combines both parents' gross income, finds the basic support obligation on the state child support table, then divides it by each parent's share of income, adding child care and medical costs. Guidelines apply up to a $400,000 combined-income cap. For a plain-English walkthrough, call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7.
Can I get a protection order in Maine the same day?
Yes. Under 19-A M.R.S. § 4108 the District Court can issue a temporary Protection from Abuse order ex parte — without the other person present — when there's an immediate threat, often the same day you file. A hearing on a final order, which can last up to two years, usually follows within about three weeks. For free information on the PFA process either way, call 1-844-690-0555.
I was served with a PFA I think is unfair. What now?
Follow every term of the temporary order exactly, even if you believe it's wrong — violating a PFA is a separate Class D crime that can mean jail, and it won't help your case. You'll have a hearing to contest the final order, and a PFA can affect firearms, your home and custody. Call 1-844-690-0555 first for free information on what to expect. It creates no attorney-client relationship.
How long alimony lasts in Maine?
It depends on the type. Section 951-A recognizes general, transitional, reimbursement, nominal and interim spousal support. For general support there's a rebuttable presumption it won't exceed half the length of the marriage when the marriage lasted 10 to 20 years. Transitional support is shorter-term, for re-entering the workforce. Call 1-844-690-0555 to learn which type might apply to you.
Do I have to live in Maine to file for divorce here?
Usually yes — § 901 generally requires you to have lived in Maine in good faith for six months before filing. There are alternatives: you can file if you married in Maine and live here now, if the grounds arose while both of you lived here, or if your spouse lives in Maine. Call 1-844-690-0555 to check whether you qualify. This is legal information, not advice.
Can I change a custody or child support order later?
Yes. Maine orders on parental rights or child support can be modified when there's a substantial change in circumstances — a move, a big income change, or shifting needs of the child. Child support can also be reviewed administratively through DSER. The process and proof matter, so call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on whether your change qualifies.
Do I need a lawyer for a Maine family case?
Not always. Many Mainers handle uncontested divorces or simple support matters using the Judicial Branch self-help forms and free aid like Pine Tree Legal or the Volunteer Lawyers Project. But custody fights, complex property and PFA hearings often call for one. Start free: call 1-844-690-0555, and if you want a lawyer we can help you book a paid consultation with a Maine-licensed attorney.
What does the call cost, and is it legal advice?
The call to 1-844-690-0555 is free, available 24/7, with no income test and no web form. The AI assistant is trained on Maine and federal law and gives you legal information — not legal advice — and the call creates no attorney-client relationship. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender. If you need representation, we can help arrange a paid consultation with a Maine attorney.
We send Maine clients who've already had their situation triaged and are ready to move. If you're licensed in Maine and practice divorce, parental rights, support or Protection from Abuse, join our referral network and receive matched consultation requests. Reach out through 1-844-690-0555 to learn how it works.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Divorce, custody and protection cases in Maine move on deadlines that start the moment you're served, not when you're ready. Before you sign an agreement, miss a hearing, or assume 'shared' means equal, get the facts. Call 1-844-690-0555 now — free, 24/7, no income test, no web form — and talk to an AI assistant trained on Maine and federal family law. It's legal information, not legal advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship. If you want a lawyer, we can help you book a paid consultation with a Maine-licensed attorney.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.