Maine divides marital assets via equitable distribution, which means that the court attempts to divide marital assets in a fair and equitable manner between the spouses, taking multiple factors into account in order to determine the equitable distribution for each spouse.

Consequently, Does it matter who files for divorce first in Maine? There are two basic ways to get an uncontested divorce in Maine—default or agreement. A default divorce happens when the plaintiff (the spouse who asks for the divorce) serves divorce papers on the defendant (the other spouse), but the defendant doesn’t file a response.

How many years do you have to be married to get alimony in Maine? Basic Rules of Spousal Support in Maine

As mentioned above, the general rule is that a marriage must have lasted 10 years or more in order for alimony/spousal support to be awarded. That general rule will be adhered to unless it would produce an “unjust” result.

Keeping this in consideration, What are the divorce laws in Maine?

A judge can grant you a divorce in Maine if: you have lived in Maine for six months before filing for divorce; you are a resident of Maine and you and your spouse were married in Maine; you are a resident of Maine and you and your spouse lived in Maine when the cause of your divorce happened; or.

How is spousal support calculated Maine?

In Maine, there’s no specific formula that judges to use to calculate alimony. Judges will weigh each of the above factors equally and determine the proper type, duration, and amount of the support order.

How much does a divorce cost in Maine? For a divorce involving children, the cost is even higher in Maine: $16,700 .

Cost of a childless divorce in Maine is $11,100.

State Maine
Average Cost of Divorce, Without Children $11,100
Rank for Childless Divorce Cost (Highest to Lowest) 40
Average Cost of Divorce, With Children $16,700
Average Divorce Filing Fee $120

• Feb 6, 2020

How long does a divorce take in Maine? HOW LONG BEFORE IT IS OVER? Under Maine law, the minimum period of time before a final divorce can granted by the Court is sixty days from the day the summons and complaint were served on the other party. However, most divorces take several months to work through all of the issues.

Is Maine a no fault divorce state? Maine’s divorce law strikes a compromise between fault-based and no-fault divorce. You can get a divorce in Maine if you and your spouse have “irreconcilable marital differences.” This is a no-fault ground and another way of saying that you and your spouse are just too different to stay married.

How is child support calculated Maine?

Maine follows the “Income Shares Model,” which means that a judge will determine support by calculating how much each parent spent on the child while living together as a family. This number is then divided according to each parent’s income to come up with a final support amount.

How long does divorce take in Maine? In either case, Maine law requires a minimum 60-day waiting period between the filing of all the necessary divorce paperwork and the final hearing. Your case may take longer than 60 days, especially if you and your spouse do not agree on all issues.

Is adultery illegal in the state of Maine?

While adultery isn’t illegal in Maine today, it can be grounds for divorce. Maine repealed the criminal sodomy law in 1975. A person is guilty of indecent conduct if he or she: Engages in a sexual act in a public place.

Who gets to stay in the house during a divorce? Can my wife/husband take my house in a divorce/dissolution? Whether or not you contributed equally to the purchase of your house or not, or one or both of your names are on the deeds, you are both entitled to stay in your home until you make an agreement between yourselves or the court comes to a decision.

Is adultery illegal in Maine?

Because adultery is a legal basis for divorce in Maine, a judge will grant a petition for a divorce when a spouse can prove that the other committed adultery. However, deciding to proceed with a fault-based divorce can affect other matters related to the divorce, such as child custody.

How long after divorce can you remarry in Maine?

Some states require all couples to wait up to 6 days to receive a marriage license.

State waiting times for remarriage after divorce.

To remarry after divorce To apply for a marriage license
Maine No restrictions 3 days
Maryland No restrictions 48 hours
Massachusetts Up to 90 days, varies by county 3 days
Michigan No restrictions 3 days

• Dec 4, 2015

Is Maine a mother State? The State of Maine does not favor one gender of parent over the other in family law matters. Both parents are considered to be fit and able guardians of their child and both parents are equally entitled to have custody of their child (19-A M.R.S. §1651).

Can you sue for adultery in Maine? In Maine, a judge may also grant you a divorce for certain fault-based grounds. A judge may grant you a divorce if your spouse: cheats on you (adultery);

Does child support go down if the father has another baby in Maine?

Even a parent who has another child as a result of the remarriage must still support his or her older children. In some cases, a court may have to adjust a parent’s support obligation with the addition of more children. Ultimately, a judge will balance the needs of both families when deciding child support.

How old before a child can decide what parent to live with in Maine? One Maine court has specifically stated that the opinion of a child aged 12 or older should carry a lot of weight. Another court has also stated that the opinion of a 4-year-old won’t factor into the custody decision. The child’s wishes are only one of several factors a court will consider when deciding custody.

Why would you get a legal separation instead of a divorce?

People usually get separated when they are unsure if they want to get divorced, when they want to work on the relationship but they require time apart, when they still want some of the advantages of being married and when religious, cultural or ethical values reject divorce.

Is mediation required for divorce in Maine? A mediation session is usually required before the Court will conduct a hearing on a request for an interim order. Such a hearing will be like a miniature divorce trial dealing only with issues that must be resolved immediately.


Don’t forget to share this post !