Maine divorce at a glance
Official source: Maine court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in Maine: step by step
Maine is no-fault with a 60-day wait between filing and the final hearing. Here is the path to a Divorce Judgment.
- Confirm you can file in Maine
The plaintiff must have lived in Maine 6 months (with alternatives if you married here or your spouse is a Maine resident). Maine is no-fault, with a 60-day wait.Source: 19-A M.R.S. §§ 901, 902 - Generate your forms
Prepare the Complaint for Divorce using the statewide Family Matters (FM) forms.Source: Maine FM forms - File with the District Court
File with the District Court and pay about $120, or file an Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees.Source: M.R. Civ. P. 91 - Serve your spouse
Serve your spouse with the complaint.Source: M.R. Civ. P. 4 - Complete the child-support worksheet (if children)
If you have children, complete the FM-040 Child Support Worksheet + FM-050 Affidavit.Source: 19-A M.R.S. ch. 63 - Attend the final hearing
After the 60-day wait, attend the final hearing; the court enters the Divorce Judgment.Source: Divorce Judgment
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in Maine?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In Maine you have the right to file your own divorce, and the court publishes the official forms for you to use. The large majority of uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree the marriage is over and can agree on the terms, are handled pro se every day.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat prepares your Maine pro-se divorce documents for free and walks you through every filing step — so doing it yourself never means doing it alone.
How child support is calculated in Maine
Income-shares model using the FM-040 worksheet + FM-050 affidavit. (19-A M.R.S. ch. 63)
Because Maine uses an income-shares approach, the exact number comes from an official table based on both parents’ combined income. Use your court’s official child-support calculator for a precise figure.
How long does a Maine divorce take?
A 60-day waiting period between filing/service and the final hearing. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons Maine divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Low. Statewide FM forms; District Court venue by county but the same forms and fees.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
Maine document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to Maine. In the meantime, the official Maine court forms are linked below.
Official Maine forms → See how it worksWhy LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
Maine divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in Maine?
No. Maine allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your Maine divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in Maine to file for divorce?
Plaintiff resident 6 months, OR plaintiff resides in ME and parties married in ME, OR resided in ME when cause arose, OR defendant is a ME resident (19-A M.R.S. 901).
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Maine?
$120 divorce filing fee (District Court) + ~$25-$40 service costs. Fee waiver: Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (indigency, M.R. Civ. P. 91). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.