Divorce in Maine

Nicknamed The Pine Tree State, Maine has a significant divorce rate.

Filing for divorce in Maine requires one of these residency requirements to be met:

1. The plaintiff (filing party) must be a Maine resident for six months before filing
2. The plaintiff is a Maine resident, and the couple was married in Maine
3. The plaintiff is a resident of the state, and both of you lived in Maine when the cause if the divorce occurred
4. The defendant (non-filing party) is a resident of Maine¹

Maine is a no-fault divorce state with several fault-based grounds for Maine divorce. A judge can grant a no-fault divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. At-fault grounds include adultery, impotence, extreme cruelty, desertion for three consecutive years, drug and alcohol addiction, cruel treatment, non-supportive even with the ability, and incarceration.²

Maine is an equitable distribution property state, and only property acquired during the marriage is subject to division following divorce. Maine divorce laws attempt to divide marital property in a manner believed to create a fair and equitable result. The judge will also consider non-monetary contributions.³

Maine Coaching Partners

Financial Help in Maine

¹ME ST T. 19-A § 901(1)

²ME ST T. 19-A § 902(1,2)

³ME ST T. 19-A § 953