Find out if you and your circumstances are eligible for our easy divorce process.
2
Complete the questionnaire
Our questionnaire guides you through filling out divorce paperwork.
3
Review your forms
Review your personalized legal documents before final submission.
4
File for divorce
Take the final step towards your new beginning with detailed filing instructions.
Over 500,000 people have used OnlineDivorce
For over 24 years, we’ve empowered individuals to get quick and stress-free divorces while saving money in the process.
I started my divorce on my own, spending loads of money on lawyer visits in the beginning.
So I decided to google for other ways and using this site was so much more simple!
Wesley H.Missouri
I had a very successful business at the time. So, making sure I had the right forms was
very very important during my divorce. I was so surprised at how easy and smooth this process was.
James V.Texas
After years of a tumultuous marriage, I finally decided that I needed to reclaim my life.
I was looking for how to go about it and came across this site and they simplified and made
the process of divorce easy for me. I never thought it would’ve been possible.
Chloe J.Florida
Stress-free and easy! I was initially gonna hire a lawyer but I found online divorce the
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California is expensive and divorce can be even more expensive in the end but I can say
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My ex agreed to go this way as well so it was a much less expensive option for us.
Marco P.California
Because of the whole dissolution of the marriage, I was struggling with two children and
just in limbo with my husband at the time because of child support and alimony. I was a
stay-at-home mom for 10 years. I just want to say that this site helped me sort it out.
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I live in upstate NY and unfortunately one day I found myself in a situation for divorce.
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Onlinedivorce.com is the bomb! I mean, using it was so easy to follow. So, if you find
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It's less expensive
Contested divorces can cost on average $11,000 in lawyer fees. OnlineDivorce is fast, affordable, and simple.
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Divorce with a Lawyer
>$11,000On average
Divorce with a lawyer can be adversarial, lengthy, inconvenient and
costly
Litigated divorces are extremely expensive - $11,000 on average
They take longer to get finalized - up to a few years
Little or no control over the divorce outcome
Litigation ignites more conflicts between the parties
Prolonged court trials negatively affect children
Support for all types of divorces
Every divorce is different, but with Onlinedivorce you
can personalize your assistance for every aspect of your online divorce.
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Online Divorce in Maine
For those seeking an inexpensive divorce in the state of Maine, online divorce is an easy, affordable, and fast solution to prepare legal forms. Online divorce may be appropriate for couples who have an uncontested case.
The step-by-step process of preparing divorce documents at Onlinedivorce.com makes it easy for you. We help organize all of the necessary divorce forms and provide detailed written instructions on filing your divorce in Maine.
Our divorce documents preparation service can be a perfect solution for those who want to have their divorce papers completed quickly and without stress.
Even though Maine has unique divorce forms and filing requirements, our online system can provide you with exactly what you need and provide instructions on how to file. We have helped thousands of people prepare their divorce documents for filing.
If you and your spouse agree on the terms of the divorce and want an amicable dissolution to your marriage, why should the process get drawn out, and why should you spend money on lawyers? Online divorce is often cheaper, quicker, and easier.
Online divorce can be a perfect option if you want to save money or hope to have your divorce finalized quickly to get on with your life. Preparing documents for divorce online in Maine is fast becoming very popular because you can complete the documents in the comfort of your home.
So even if you think your case is too complex because you have children, own your own home, or have other assets, you may still be able to prepare your documents online. Just start with our simple questionnaire, and we’ll provide you instructions for each step of the way.
The process at OnlineDivorce.com is 100% secure. We protect your information, and nothing is filed until you submit the divorce papers to the courthouse yourself. Filing for divorce in Maine with the Onlinedivorce.com system can be a simple solution to a difficult situation.
Filing:
When you use OnlineDivorce.com, we help you fill out your divorce paperwork using a simple online questionnaire. You can fill it out alone or with the assistance of your spouse. Then, after getting the other spouse’s signature, the divorce forms may be filed at the local court.
In Maine, you will typically file with the courthouse in the county in which you currently reside. If a petitioner is not currently a resident but a defendant is, divorce is typically filed in the county where the defendant resides.
The actual filing process is explained in our detailed court-filing instructions that we provide, along with your completed divorce forms. You can also obtain assistance from your local courthouse by calling or stopping by.
After the initial filing, you may need to follow up if there are any issues with your documents. When you use OnlineDivorce.com, we allow you to make minor adjustments to your forms as requested by the court at no additional charge.
Our goal is to help you obtain your divorce with as little hassle and stress as possible using our online divorce documents preparation service.
Residency:
Every state has specific requirements where divorcing couples must establish residency before filing for divorce. Maine is no exception. Either spouse must be a resident of Maine, or the marriage or the grounds for divorce must have occurred in Maine. Otherwise, a person filing for divorce must be a Maine resident for six months immediately before filing.
The divorce may be filed for in the District Court in the county where the spouses reside. [Maine Revised Statutes Annotated; Title 4, Chapter 5, Section 155 and Title 19-A, Chapter 29, Section 901]
There are many ways to prove that residency has been established. The easiest way is if one or both spouses have a valid and current Maine driver’s license, ID card, or voter’s registration card issued at least six months before filing for divorce.
However, if this is not the case, it may be possible to establish residency by having someone who knows you or your spouse testify that you have lived in the state for at least six months. Additionally, it may be possible to use an Affidavit of Corroborating Witness form as proof you’ve lived in the state for a minimum of six months.
Valid grounds to get divorce in Maine
Grounds for an online divorce using OnlineDivorce.com are the same as they would be for any divorce within the State of Maine. Grounds are merely the reason for divorce, and the state must approve them.
The proper grounds must be determined to file for divorce in Maine. There are two reasons for the dissolution of marriage in Maine: fault and no-fault.
The fault reasons for the dissolution of marriage in Maine include, in the case of a covenant marriage:
Impotence;
Adultery;
Alcoholism and/or drug addiction;
Desertion for three years;
Cruelty or abuse; and
Nonsupport whereby a spouse can provide support but grossly, wantonly, or cruelly neglects to provide suitable maintenance for the complaining spouse. [Maine Revised Statutes Annotated; Title 19-A, Chapter 29, Section 902]
Divorce in Maine
Custody of the child in Maine
If there are children involved in a divorce, the couple will need to determine how custody should be handled. It isn’t something that a couple has to do all on their own. There are regulations in place that can help the court determine what would be the best possible custody situation for each case. If the parents already have a plan in mind, they can present this to the court, and it will be given due consideration.
Based on the best interests of the child, three types of custody may be given:
Responsibilities for the child’s welfare are divided, either exclusively or proportionately. A parent given responsibility for any aspect may be required to inform the other parent of any major changes. The responsibilities to be divided are:
-primary physical residence,
-parent-child contact,
-support,
-education,
-medical and dental care,
-religious upbringing,
-travel boundaries and expenses, and
-any other aspects.
Parental responsibilities are shared [most, or all of the duties are made based on joint decisions, and the parents retain equal parental rights and responsibilities; or
One parent is granted full and exclusive rights and responsibility for the child’s welfare, except for the responsibility of child support.
The factors to be considered are:
The age of the child;
The motivation of the parents and their capacities to give the child love, affection, and guidance;
The preference of the child, if the child is of sufficient age and capacity;
The length of time the child has lived in a stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of maintaining continuity;
The desire and ability of each parent to allow an open and loving frequent relationship between the child and the other parent;
The child’s adjustment to his or her home, school, and community;
The relationship of the child with parents, siblings, and other significant family members;
The stability of the home environment likely to be offered by each parent;
A need to promote continuity and stability in the life of the child;
The parent’s capacity and willingness to cooperate;
Methods for assisting parental cooperation and resolving disputes and each parent's willingness to use those methods;
The effect on the child of one parent having sole authority over his or her upbringing;
The existence of any domestic violence or child abuse;
Any history of child abuse by a parent;
Any misuse of “protection from abuse” orders to gain a tactical advantage in the case;
Whether the child, if under age one, is being breastfed; and
Any other factors that have a bearing on the child’s upbringing.
No preference is given because of a parent’s sex or because of the child’s age or sex. In any child custody case, the court may order an investigation of the parents and child by the Department of Human Services. [Maine Revised Statutes Annotated; Title 19-A, Chapter 51, Section 1501 and Chapter 55, Section 1653]
Divorce in Maine
Rules for child support in Maine
Maine has state-mandated child support guidelines, which will apply in almost every case, barring extraordinary circumstances. With this, both parties’ gross incomes and certain child-related expenses are considered when calculating the child support obligation. In most cases, child support payments continue until the child reaches eighteen years of age and can extend until the completion of secondary school.
Divorce in Maine
Property division in Maine
When a couple chooses to divorce in Maine, they must distribute property fairly and agreeably. It can be one of the most challenging parts of going through the divorce process for many couples. It may be possible for spouses to come up with a property distribution plan independently without involving the court. In doing so, it can make for a more relaxed and less stressful uncontested divorce.
However, when there is some disagreement on how property is to be divided, the state has specific rules to make it easier.
Maine is an “equitable distribution” state. Each spouse retains their individual property, including:
Any gifts or inheritances;
Any property acquired before the marriage; and
Any increase in the value of the property acquired in exchange for the property listed in the former or the latter event.
The marital property is divided between the spouses after considering the following factors:
The contribution of both spouses to the acquisition of the marital property, including the contribution of both spouses as homemaker;
The value of both spouses’ property; and
The economic circumstances of both spouses when the division of property is to become effective, including the desirability of awarding the family home or the right to live in the home for a sensible period to the spouse having custody of any children. Infidelity is not a factor. [Maine Revised Statutes Annotated; Title 19-A, Chapter 29, Section 953]
Divorce in Maine
Rules for spousal support in Maine
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is sometimes ordered by the court to help one spouse live in a manner established during the marriage after the divorce. Assistance may be decided upon by the couple before filing or awarded by the court in a contested case.
The court may award rehabilitative (short-term) or more permanent alimony to either of the spouses in either lump-sum payments or as monthly/yearly payments or both.
Either spouse may be ordered to pay a sensible amount of alimony. The court may also request that a spouse’s real estate be given to the other spouse or a lump sum amount as alimony. Infidelity is not a factor. There is an assumption that no general maintenance or support be provided if the marriage was for less than ten years.
For marriages lasting from 10 to 20 years, the alimony does not last over one-half the length of the marriage. In addition, the court may award “transitional” support for a spouse’s short-term needs and/or for assistance on reentry into the workforce.
The factors for consideration set out in the statute are:
The length of the marriage;
The age of the spouses;
The standard of living determined during the marriage;
The ability of both spouses to pay;
The employment history and employment potential of both spouses;
The income history and income potential of both spouses;
The education and training of both spouses;
The provisions for retirement and health insurance benefits for both spouses;
The tax consequences of the division of marital property, including the tax consequences of the sale of the marital home;
The health and disabilities of both spouses;
The tax consequences of an alimony award;
The contributions of either of the spouses as homemaker;
The contributions of either of the spouses to the education or earning potential to the other spouse;
Economic misconduct of either of the spouses resulting in the diminution of marital property or income;
The ability of the party seeking support to become self-supporting within a sensible length of time;
The effect of income from marital or non-marital property or child support payments on either of the spouses’ need for or ability to pay spousal support; and
Any other factors the court considers appropriate. [Maine Revised Statutes Annotated; Title 19-A, Chapter 27, Section 851 and Chapter 29, Section 951-A].
More information is available as you begin filing your divorce through OnlineDivorce.com. Please note that alimony payments can be ordered to be paid through a state depository in some cases.
Divorce in Maine
Mediation support in Maine
For those seeking to prepare their divorce papers using OnlineDivorce.com, utilizing divorce mediation can be a great tool to smooth out disagreements and prevent the case from going to court. It can be the simplest way to assure a fast, easy and affordable online divorce.
Divorce in Maine
Divorce Forms in Maine
Maine forms produced by OnlineDivorce.com are court-approved divorce forms. We have automated filling out paperwork to simplify matters and avoid any difficulties that may occur with filling out paperwork alone. By utilizing OnlineDivorce.com, you can simplify preparing divorce documents and help both parties move forward with their lives.
How to file for divorce in Maine
1
Meet residency requirements. According to the Maine Revised Statutes, the plaintiff (the spouse initiating the case) may file a Complaint for Divorce in Maine District Court if the couple meets at least one of the following criteria:
- the plaintiff has been resided in Maine for six months before filing for divorce;
- the plaintiff currently resides in Maine, and the spouses were married in this state;
- the plaintiff is a Maine resident, and the spouses resided within this state when the ground for divorce occurred; or
- the defendant (the non-filing spouse) is a Maine resident.
2
Choose the relevant court. In Maine, divorce cases are handled by the family division of the district court. Please visit the State of Maine Judicial Branch website to find the relevant district court in the county where either you or your spouse currently resides.
3
Prepare and file the initial divorce forms. The plaintiff should prepare and fill out the divorce forms, including Complaint for Divorce, Family Matter Summary Sheet, and other required forms for a particular case. Then, bring the completed forms to the Court Clerk's Office and pay the court filing fee. Be sure to make two copies of the forms before filing.
4
Complete the service process. Service means giving a copy of the divorce papers to the non-filing spouse following the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. In general, serving divorce papers in Maine can be done in the following ways:
- By mailing a copy of the summons and the complaint (by first-class mail, postage prepaid), along with two copies of a notice and acknowledgment form;
- By a sheriff or a deputy within the county where the action is brought, or by any other adult person who has been appointed by the court to serve the process;
- By any other method permitted or required by statute.
5
Participate in a case management conference. Maine Family Law requires a mandatory 60-day waiting period between filing for divorce and the final hearing. Meanwhile, the spouses are required to attend a case management conference where a family law magistrate examines any agreement between the spouses and can order mediation sessions if necessary.
6
Finalize a divorce. Those spouses who failed to agree on some issues in advance must participate in mediation or attend several hearings and conferences until all the disputes are resolved. If the spouses have already agreed upon all matters, the divorce can be finalized at the status conference before the Magistrate. The Magistrate typically holds uncontested final hearings in Maine, enters the agreement on the record, and issues a final order.
Divorce in Maine
Filing fees for divorce in Maine
When you file your divorce papers, the court will charge filing fees that may vary by county. These costs are in addition to the cost of using OnlineDivorce.com. Please check with your local courthouse to determine the exact amount.
How long will it take?
Using the OnlineDivorce.com service usually takes between 30 minutes and two hours or more, depending on the complexity of your case. Start by filling out the questionnaire. You can do it in one sitting or save your progress and complete it at a later date. Whatever is most convenient for you.
Once you’ve received the completed documents, you will need to file them and get your spouse’s signature. You’ll receive more information regarding the finalization of the divorce case once the paperwork has been completed and submitted to the courts.
Divorce in Maine
Here is how OnlineDivorce.com makes completing divorce papers easier:
We provide the full divorce packet required by the local court - clients do not need to drive to their local courthouse to get the blank forms or search for the right divorce forms online. In rare cases, local county forms can vary in color, paper material, size, or bar code, so they may need to be obtained directly from the county clerk's office.
We complete the necessary forms for clients based on their answers given in a simple guided online interview - clients do not need to understand family law or read through complicated instructions to figure out how to fill out the forms themselves.
We give detailed, easy to follow step-by-step instructions for filing a divorce with the court - so the client knows exactly what to do to get his/her divorce finalized.
We provide unlimited technical support - if a client needs assistance through the online process, he/she can always reach out to us via phone, email, or live chat, and we'll do our best to help.
We save our clients time and money - if divorcing spouses agree regarding the terms of their divorce, they typically don’t have to pay thousands to a lawyer to handle their divorce forms and don't need to spend hours trying to do it all by themselves.
Child support case
Sample Documents by State
Please note that your final forms, documents and
filings may be different depending on your state.
Coming soon! If you want to have a look at sample forms for your state and
you cannot find them here, please just give us a call or send us an email.
You are Qualified
You qualify to use OnlineDivorce.com to start your divorce online.
Please note that although you are currently not in agreement with your spouse regarding your divorce,
you will need to agree before you get your divorce paperwork. Our guided process is designed
to walk you through all the important issues in a divorce so you can come to terms.
To begin the process to complete your official divorce forms online, please press the “Continue”
button below.
