Maine Child Support Laws

Maine Child Support Issues & Resources

Maine Child Support


Maine child support is based upon official child support guidelines. The amount of child support arrived at under the Maine guidelines is presumed to be correct unless there it is shown that the amount is unjust, inappropriate or not in the best interests of the child. In addition to such a showing, a Maine Court will deviate from the guidelines in the following circumstances: 

  • the non-primary residential caretaker is providing residential care over 30% of the time; 

  • the number of children requiring support is over 6; 

  • child support, spousal support, and property division is being decided at the same time; 

  • the financial resources of the child; 

  • the financial resources and needs of each parent, including any nonrecurring income not included in the definition of gross income; 

  • the standard of living the child would have had if the marriage had continued; 

  • the physical and emotional condition of the child; 

  • the educational needs of the children; 

  • inflation in relation to the cost of living;

  • income and financial contributions of a spouse of each parent;

  • other dependents of the parent required to pay support; 

  • the tax consequences of a support award;

  • health insurance premiums of over 15% of the support award; 

  • whether any of the children are over 12 years old; and

  • the cost of transportation of any child.

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