Maine divorce at a glance
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Divorce in Maine: simple and inexpensive
Maine keeps the divorce process compact. You file the Complaint for Divorce (form FM-004) with the District Court in the district where you live, and the state requires six months of residency before you can file. After your spouse is served, a 60-day waiting period runs before the court will hold the final hearing.
What stands out about Maine is the cost: at about $120, it has one of the lowest filing fees in the country. Cases with minor children are heard by a family law magistrate rather than a judge, which is a distinction most states do not make. The magistrate handles the same issues but keeps the docket moving faster.
The no-fault ground is irreconcilable differences, with no separation required before filing. Property is divided equitably, and child support follows the Maine Child Support Guidelines under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001. Custody is called “parental rights and responsibilities,” decided under the best interests standard in 19-A M.R.S. § 1653.