Maine Divorce Self-Help Tools

A divorce in Maine takes a minimum of 60 days after the complaint for divorce is served. However, most cases take longer, especially if there are disagreements on issues like property division or child custody.

While it's possible to file for divorce without a lawyer, especially in uncontested cases where both parties agree on all terms, it is generally recommended to consult with a lawyer, particularly if there are complex property issues, domestic violence, or significant disagreements.

Yes, Maine is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you can file for divorce based on "irreconcilable differences" without proving fault. However, Maine also recognizes fault-based grounds such as adultery, extreme cruelty, and desertion.

Maine follows the principle of equitable distribution, meaning marital property is divided fairly, but not necessarily equally, between the spouses. The court considers various factors, including each spouse's contribution to the acquisition of marital property, the value of property set apart to each spouse, and the economic circumstances of each spouse.

In Maine, an automatic preliminary injunction is imposed once a divorce complaint is filed (Title 19-A, § 903). This injunction prohibits both spouses from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or disposing of marital property, canceling insurance, incurring unreasonable debt, harassing the other party, or relocating children out of state without court approval.