Maine Divorce Checklist — Step-by-Step (2026)

Phase 1 — Pre-Filing Assessment

• Confirm: you currently reside in Maine (no minimum required)
• Identify District Court county (where either spouse lives)
• Confirm grounds: "Irreconcilable marital differences"
• If children under 18: identify a court-approved parent education program
• Gather all financial documents: income, bank accounts, investments, real estate, retirement accounts, debts

Phase 2 — Financial Inventory

• All real estate: fair market value, mortgage balance, marital vs. non-marital
• Bank and investment accounts: balances, marital vs. non-marital
• Retirement accounts: total balance; marital portion
• Vehicles: values and loans
• All debts: creditor, balance, marital vs. non-marital
• Business interests (if any)
• Monthly income and expense documentation (for Financial Statement)

Phase 3 — Complete Financial Statements (Required)

• Both parties complete their own Financial Statement (Maine District Court form)
• Discloses monthly income, expenses, all assets, all debts
• Both sign and file with the court — mandatory in all Maine divorces

Phase 4 — Draft the Divorce Agreement

• All marital real property addressed (assignment, buyout, sale; Quitclaim Deed → Maine Registry of Deeds)
• All marital financial accounts assigned
• Retirement accounts: QDRO for employer plans; IRA transfer language
• Vehicles assigned; Maine BMV title transfer
• All marital debts assigned; indemnification language
• Non-marital property acknowledged and confirmed
• Spousal support: award with terms — or explicit waiver
• If children: legal custody, physical custody, Parenting Plan, child support per Maine Guidelines
• Both spouses sign and notarize the Divorce Agreement

Phase 5 — Complete Court Forms (courts.maine.gov / ptla.org)

• Complaint for Divorce (Maine District Court form)
• Summons
• Financial Statement (both parties)
• Acceptance of Service (if spouse cooperates)
• Divorce Agreement (Settlement Agreement)
• Proposed Final Judgment of Divorce
• If children: Parenting Plan; Child Support Worksheet per Maine Guidelines
• If children: parent education Certificate of Completion (both parents)

Phase 6 — File at District Court

• File Complaint at District Court in the county where either spouse lives
• Pay $120 filing fee
• Receive case number
• Serve Respondent (or obtain Acceptance of Service)
• File Proof of Service / Acceptance of Service

Phase 7 — Parent Education Program (If Children)

• Both parents enroll in court-approved parent education program
• Both parents complete the program
• Both parents file Certificates of Completion with the District Court
• Divorce cannot be finalized until both certificates are on file

Phase 8 — No Waiting Period

• No mandatory waiting period — proceed to scheduling a final hearing immediately
• Schedule final hearing with the District Court clerk

Phase 9 — Final Hearing

• Appear at hearing
• Judge reviews Financial Statements, Divorce Agreement, Parenting Plan (if applicable)
• Judge enters Final Judgment of Divorce
• Obtain certified copies

Phase 10 — Post-Divorce Steps

• Real estate deed: Quitclaim Deed → Maine Registry of Deeds (county where property is located)
• QDRO for employer retirement plans
• Maine state employees: MainePERS domestic relations order — mainepers.org
• Vehicles: Maine BMV
• Name restoration: Maine BMV → Social Security → accounts
• Beneficiary designations: life insurance, retirement, payable-on-death

Last reviewed: March 2026 | $120 fee | No waiting period | Current resident — no minimum | "Irreconcilable marital differences" | Financial Statement required — both parties | Parent education required with children | Parenting Plan required | Equitable distribution | Maine Registry of Deeds | courts.maine.gov | ptla.org

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Verify current fees and forms with your local court before filing.