If you’ve decided to end your marriage, but aren’t familiar with the divorce process, you probably have no idea where to begin. This article will cover the basics of filing for divorce in Maine.

A Few Key Points

A “complaint” is the court document that starts the divorce. The spouse that files (submits) the complaint is the “plaintiff.” The other spouse is the “defendant.”

In Maine divorces are handled by the family division of the district court. The court website, www.courts.state.me.us, has a list that matches each town with its district court.

Divorce with Dependent Children

The divorce process begins with a “Complaint for Divorce with Children” if there are children in the marriage who are:

• under 18 years of age and still in high school
• under 19 years of age and out of high school but living with one parent
• under 22 and a full time student or
• incapacitated or incompetent regardless of age, and dependent on one parent.

The complaint for divorce with children is a self-explanatory, fill-in form. The court website has a separate link to a helpful pamphlet entitled “DC Pro se Div Instructions w/children.”

At this stage, you also should complete:

• the social security number disclosure form
• the child support financial affidavit, and
• the certificate regarding real estate if either or both spouses own real estate. The form requests the book and page for the deed. You can find this info stamped on your original deed or at the county registry of deeds.

You must sign the complaint for divorce and the affidavit of child support before a notary public or licensed Maine attorney. By doing so, you are stating that the information you provided is true to the best of your knowledge.

At the court, request a blank "Summons and Preliminary Injunction" form. Complete the summons caption, which is the name of your case. For example if Paul Public wants to divorce his wife, Petunia Public, the case caption is “Paul Public v. Petunia Public.” There is a small fee for the blank summons. Call the district court to ask what forms of payment are acceptable.

Divorce with No Dependent Children

There is a separate complaint form when no minor children are involved. The court website also contains a separate instructional pamphlet for this situation. In addition, you should complete:

• the certificate regarding real estate, if either spouse or both spouses own real property, and
• either a certificate in lieu of financial statement or a financial statement.

If you truly believe that you and your spouse have no disagreements regarding financial matters, as listed on the certificate, you can avoid detailing your financial information by filing the certificate.

Just as in a case involving children, you need a blank summons from the court.

Notice of the Divorce to Your Spouse

Maine law has specific methods of notifying or “serving” the other spouse. You may choice of one of these methods:

Regular mail--mail or give to your spouse: a copy of the complaint

• a copy of the summons and preliminary injunction (not the original you received from the court clerk)
• a copy of the child support affidavit (if there are children)
• two (2) copies of the acknowledgement of receipt of the summons and complaint (this form is available online), and
• a self-addressed stamped envelope (your spouse will sign one of the copies of the acknowledgement of receipt of the summons and complaint and mail or give you a copy no later than 20 days after he or she has received the copies).

Certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery.

Use this if your spouse doesn’t send you the acknowledgment within 20 days. Again, mail your spouse:

• a copy of the divorce complaint
• a copy of the summons and preliminary injunction, and
• a copy of the child support affidavit, if applicable.

When you receive the green card back, deliver it to the court to prove that your spouse received a copy of the divorce complaint.

Service using the sheriff’s office.

If the above methods don’t work, contact the civil process office for sheriff in the county where your spouse resides or works. The sheriff charges a fee for this service. Provide the sheriff’s office:

• a copy of the complaint
• the original summons and preliminary injunction you received from the clerk’s office, plus one copy
• a copy of the child support affidavit, if applicable, and
• your spouse’s home or work address.

The sheriff will give your spouse copies of the complaint, the summons and child support affidavit. The sheriff will return to you the original summons. You should return the summons to the court to prove that your spouse has a copy of the divorce complaint.

The Next Steps

Once you have proof that your spouse has received a copy of the divorce complaint, complete the family matter summary sheet, which is online. Bring or mail the summary sheet with the following to the district court:

• the original divorce complaint
• the original child support affidavit, if applicable
• the original financial statement or certificate in lieu of financial statement
• proof of service---the original acknowledgment form signed by your spouse, or the green card and the original summons, even if you did not use the sheriff (if you used the sheriff, the sheriff completed a proof of service, which is also filed with the court)
• the certificate regarding real estate, and
• the filing fee.

What Do I Do if My Spouse Files for Divorce?

As the defendant in a divorce, you may file an answer and counter-complaint for divorce. The court website has fill-in- the-blank forms for completion. The answer and counter-complaint need to be given to the plaintiff in the same manner as the initial divorce complaint.

On-Line Help

Take the time to get informed on the divorce process and related legal issues in our section on Maine Divorce and Family Laws.

For more information, visit the Maine judiciary branch website at www.courts.state.me.us.

In addition, the Pine Tree Legal Assistance website has further information including forms you can fill in on line at www.ptla.org.