Maine

Divorce Residency Requirements To Get Divorce In Maine

Like most states, there are residency requirements to file your divorce papers in the state of Maine. Before you file for divorce in the state of Maine, the filing spouse must have been a resident of the state for six months or longer. There is no requirement for the other spouse.

Reasons For Divorce In Maine

The state of Maine no-fault grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences. Irreconcilable differences, as a basis for divorce, do not need to be proven. There are also fault-based grounds for divorce in Maine which include, but are not limited to, adultery, impotence, alcoholism, substance abuse, cruel treatment, and desertion for three or more years.

Custody Of The Children In Maine

Child custody is an important issue with any divorce, whether it is contested or uncontested. As such, resolving child custody is one of the biggest steps any divorcing couple may make. To preserve the best interests of any child involved in a divorce case, custody may be awarded to one parent or both parents. When possible, joint legal custody is assigned to the parents however, one parent is usually awarded primary physical custody. Joint physical custody can be agreed upon by the parties or awarded by the court if it is deemed in the best interest of the child. If the child is mature enough to contribute his or her feelings on the matter, the child’s wishes as to custody may be considered and given weight by the court.

Venue

In Maine, the plaintiff shall file for divorce in the county where either the petitioner or the respondent resides. The requirement to do this is the same, whether utilizing a DIY divorce or filing through the court system with a lawyer.

Divorce Mediation

The Maine state court may order mediation on issues related to child support or custody in any contested divorce. Also, the court may refer the parties to arbitration on other matters, whether or not children are involved. The parties may choose to mediate disputed issues on their own, if desired. However, if issues are resolved in mediation, the case may be able to proceed in court as an uncontested divorce.

Filing Fees

The Maine state court filing fees are in addition to the cost of using Divorce.com. The filing costs vary from county to county and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For more information regarding the exact costs and up-to-date filing information, we provide an easy way to look up the filing fees for your area. This ensures that you have a clear picture of all expenses specific to your situation before moving forward.