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Maine - Divorce Kits

Maine Requirements

The following laws are explained very briefly to provide a basic understanding. If further knowledge is wished to be gained please make use of your local library, and seek the assistance of an attorney. This section is reviewed regularly, but due to the changing of laws some material may be outdated.



Required Residency: 6 months

Where to file:
The District Court in which either spouse resides.
The defendant spouse has the right to have the proceedings moved to the Superior Court.

Grounds for Absolute Divorce:

Adultery
Alcoholism
Bigamy ( grounds for annulment )
Desertion
Drug Addictions
Impotence
Insanity ( grounds for annulment )
Mental and or Physical Cruelty
Non-support

Grounds for "No-Fault" Divorce:

Irreconcilable Differences or Irretrievable Breakdown
Judicial Separation or Maintenance

Time before ex-spouses may remarry: Plaintiff ( none ) Defendant ( none )

Mediation offered or recommended in certain situations: ( yes )

Counseling offered or recommended under specific circumstances: ( no )

The Distribution of Property:

Maine is an "equitable distribution" state. The court has full discretion to divide the real estate and all other property. Any inheritance or gifts received prior or during the marriage is not considered for distribution. . The following factors are generally considered: age and health, length of marriage, vocational skills, occupations, contributions in acquisitions, employability of spouses, and custody. Marital conduct is not a consideration in the division of any property.

Spousal Support:

Support can be awarded to either spouse. Past Marital actions are not considered. Employment possibilities of the custodian tend to cause the greatest influence on the decision. Living conditions similar to those when marriage existed is attempted to be restored.

Child Custody:

Custody is awarded with the best interests of the child or children in mind. The following factors are generally considered: the age and sex of child, the wishes of the parents, the child's ability to adapt to a new environment, the mental and physical health of the parents and child, and the relationship each parent has with the child, and the respect each parent has for the child's relationship with the other parent.

Uniform Child Custody Act: 1979
Is Joint Custody awarded? YES
Do Grandparents Have the Right to Visitation? YES
Are Child's Wishes Considered? YES

Child Support:

Either or both parents may be required to provide the support of maintenance, insurance, and education of the child. The following factors are generally considered: a child's need for contact with both parents, the joint responsibilities for the welfare of the child, the financial resources, cost of day care, and the standard of living the child would have otherwise enjoyed had not the divorce taken place. Marital fault is not recognized.
Document Example

To prepare your documents, you would simply edit the information as it applies to you.

IN RE THE MARRIAGE OF:   Case No. ____________________
JANE DOE,

Petitioner,

and
PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE
JOHN DOE,

Respondent.


COMES NOW the Petitioner, JANE DOE, and respectfully petitions and shows this Court as follows:
I.           The vital statistics concerning the parties are as follows:
          A. PETITIONER:

  1. Age: 28
  2. Occupation: Clerk
  3. Petitioner now resides at 123 Main Street, Douglas, Maine 54321, County of York. Petitioner has been a resident of the State of Maine since April 8, 1968.
          B. RESPONDENT:
  1. Age: 32
  2. Occupation: Vice President, 7-11 Convenience Stores
  3. Respondent now resides at 456 Corner Drive, Douglas, Maine 54321, County of York. Respondent has been a resident of the State of Maine since December 2, 1978.
II.           The Social Security Numbers of the parties are as follows:

          Petitioner: 555-23-9178
          Respondent: 875-12-3354.

III.          { CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING }
          A. At least one of the parties has had actual residence in this state with a bona fide intention of making this state his or her permanent home for at least one year prior to the filing of this petition.
          B. The Petitioner is serving in the United States Armed Forces and has been continuously stationed at a military base or installation in this state for one year.

Document Kit Contents

Your document kit will include:
  1. Instructions for completion of your documents
  2. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
  3. Sample Marital Settlement Agreement
  4. Financial Affidavit of Petitioner
  5. Financial Affidavit of Respondent
  6. Answer and Waiver of Hearing
  7. Verification
  8. Affidavit of Non Military Service
  9. Affidavit of Corroborating Witness
  10. Decree of Divorce
  11. Sample Proposed Property Settlement
  12. Summons
  13. Notice of Hearing
  14. Affidavit of Service
  15. Affidavit of Diligent Search for Service by Publication

    If children are involved:

  16. Affidavit of Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
  17. Sample Parenting Plan

Important Disclaimer:
Legal-Online.Org Self-Help Products are designed to provide authoritative and accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered. However, neither this nor any other publication can take the place of an attorney on important legal matters.

Information in this kit has been carefully compiled from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy of the information is not guaranteed, as laws and regulations may change or be subject to differing interpretations.

This is a self-help legal product and is intended to be used by the consumer for his or her own benefit. Use of this kit to benefit a second party may be considered in many states as the unauthorized practice of law.

As with any legal matter, you should consult with an attorney if you are unsure about proceeding, your case is of a complicated nature or to obtain legal advice.

It is understood that by using this kit, you are acting as your own attorney. Accordingly, the publisher, author, distributor and retailer shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any party for any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused by use of the kits. These kits are sold with the understanding that the publisher, author, distributor and retailer are not engaged in offering legal services. Should legal services or other assistance be required, the services of a competent legal professional should be contacted in your area.

In addition, some counties or states may require use of additional documents not found in this kit. If this is the case, please contact us

We will attempt to locate the additional forms for you at no cost.

Purchase of this kit constitutes acceptance of these terms.

These documents are available in the following formats:

Microsoft Word