19-A M.R.S. § 2153 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2153
19-A §2153. Publication of delinquent child support obligors
Status: in_force

1. Publication. The department may publish in the State's newspapers the names of delinquent child support obligors who owe unpaid child support. Publication may include the place of residence and the amount of unpaid child support of each obligor. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Immunity. Newspapers and their employees are immune from any criminal or civil liability as a result of publication under subsection 1 , unless publication is a result of negligent or intentional misconduct. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1768 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1768
19-A §1768. Expedited enforcement of child custody determination
Status: in_force

1. Petition for enforcement verified. A petition under this subchapter must be verified. Certified copies of all orders sought to be enforced and of any order confirming registration must be attached to the petition. A copy of a certified copy of an order may be attached instead of the original. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Petition contents. A petition for enforcement of a child custody determination must state: A. Whether the court that issued the determination identified the jurisdictional basis it relied upon in exercising jurisdiction and, if so, what the basis was; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. Whether the determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court whose decision must be enforced under this chapter and, if so, identify the court, the case number and the nature of the proceeding; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. Whether any proceeding has been commenced that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number and the nature of the proceeding; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] D. The present physical address of the child and the respondent, if known; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] E. Whether relief in addition to the immediate physical custody of the child and attorney's fees is sought, including a request for assistance from law enforcement officials and, if so, the relief sought; and [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] F. If the child custody determination has been registered and confirmed under section 1765 , the date and place of registration. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Order directing appearance; hearing. Upon the filing of a petition, the court shall issue an order directing the respondent to appear in person with or without the child at a hearing and may enter any order necessary to ensure the safety of the parties and the child. The hearing must be held on the next judicial day after service of the order unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The court may extend the date of hearing at the request of the petitioner. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

4. Contents of order. An order issued under subsection 3 must state the time and place of the hearing and advise the respondent that at the hearing the court will order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child and the payment of fees, costs and expenses under section 1772 and may schedule a hearing to determine whether further relief is appropriate, unless the respondent appears and establishes that: A. The child custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under section 1765 and that: (1) The issuing court did not have jurisdiction under subchapter II ; (2) The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under subchapter II ; or (3) The respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of section 1738 , in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or [PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).] B. The child custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under section 1764 , but has been vacated, stayed or modified by a court of a state having jurisdiction to do so under subchapter II. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).]

5. Military members; expedited enforcement of visitation provisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon 2 days' notice to a custodial parent or upon such shorter notice as the court may order, a person who is subject to a child custody determination, is a resident of this State, is on active duty serving in the United States Armed Forces or in the National Guard and is either permanently stationed at a military, naval or National Guard post, station or base outside this State or deployed for military or National Guard service may appear and move for enforcement of visitation provisions of a child custody determination and, in that event, the court shall proceed to determine the motion as expeditiously as the ends of justice require. [PL 2015, c. 273, §1 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 851 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 27 / Section 851
19-A §851. Judicial separation
Status: in_force

1. Grounds. [PL 1997, c. 224, §1 (RP); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

1-A. Jurisdiction. The District Court has jurisdiction to enter a separation decree: A. Upon the petition of a married person who lives apart or who desires to live apart from that person's spouse for a period in excess of 60 continuous days; or [PL 1997, c. 224, §2 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] B. Upon joint petition of a married couple who live apart or who desire to live apart for a period in excess of 60 continuous days. [PL 1997, c. 224, §2 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §27 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §42 (AFF).]

2. Place of filing. The person may file a petition for judicial separation in the county or judicial division in which either of the parties lives, except that if the petitioner has left the county or judicial division in which the parties lived together and the respondent still lives in that county or judicial division, the petitioner must file the petition in that county or judicial division. Notice must be given as the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure provide. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Order. [PL 1997, c. 224, §3 (RP); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

4. Mediation. The court shall order the parties to participate in mediation as provided in chapter 3 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Parental rights and responsibilities. Upon the petition of either spouse, or of the guardian or next friend of one of the parties who may be mentally ill, the court may make an order awarding parental rights and responsibilities with respect to a minor child of the parties in accordance with chapter 55 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Enforcement. The court may enforce obedience to its orders by appropriate process including remedies provided in chapter 65 . Nothing in this section may preclude the court from incarcerating a spouse for nonpayment of child support, spousal support or attorney's fees in violation of a court order to do so. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Marriage settlement or contract not affected. An action under this section does not invalidate a marriage settlement or contract between the parties. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

8. Orders pending final separation decree. Pending a final separation decree, the court may: A. Order either spouse to pay to the other spouse or to the attorney for the other spouse sufficient money for the defense or prosecution of the separation action; [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] B. Make reasonable provision for either spouse's support; [PL 2005, c. 323, §3 (AMD).] C. Enter a decree for parental rights and responsibilities, including support of minor children in accordance with chapter 55 . An order for child support under this section may include an order for the payment of all or part of the medical expenses, hospital expenses and other health care expenses of the children or an order to provide a policy or contract for coverage of those expenses. Availability of public assistance to the family may not affect the decision of the court relating to the responsibility of a parent to provide child support; [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] D. By order, determine the possession of owned or rented real and personal property; and [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] E. Enforce obedience by appropriate processes. [PL 2005, c. 323, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2005, c. 323, §3 (AMD).]

9. Spousal support. The court may: A. Order spousal support, which must be determined in accordance with the factors set forth in section 951-A ; [PL 1999, c. 634, §1 (AMD).] B. Order periodic spousal support payments, payments of a specific sum or any combination of both; [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] C. Order either spouse to maintain a policy of health insurance for the benefit of the other spouse and to pay all or a portion of the uninsured health care expenses of the other spouse; [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] D. Order either spouse to maintain a policy of life insurance upon that person for the benefit of the other spouse or the couple's children; [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] E. Order either party to pay the costs and attorney's fees of the other party in the defense or prosecution of a judicial separation; [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] F. At any time, alter or amend an order for spousal support or a specific sum when it appears that justice requires it, except that a court may not increase the spousal support if the original decree prohibits an increase. In making an alteration or amendment, the court shall consider the factors set forth in section 951-A ; and [PL 1999, c. 634, §1 (AMD).] G. Enforce an order for spousal support or attorney's fees and costs in accordance with section 952 . [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] This subsection does not limit the court, by full or partial agreement of the parties or otherwise, from awarding spousal support for a limited period, from awarding spousal support that may not be increased regardless of subsequent events or conditions or otherwise limiting or conditioning the spousal support award in any manner or term that the court considers just. [PL 1999, c. 634, §1 (AMD).]

10. Disposition of property. The court may order the disposition of the parties' property in accordance with section 953 . Descent of real estate is governed by section 953 . [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

11. Freedom from restraint and interference. The court may order either spouse to refrain from imposing any restraint on the personal liberty of the other or interfering with the personal privacy of the other and may order other conditions necessary to ensure the peaceful coexistence of the parties. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

12. Modification and termination of separation decrees. A separation decree may be modified or is terminated as follows. A. Upon motion by either party served in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4, and after notice and hearing, the court may order the modification of a separation decree upon showing of a substantial change of circumstances justifying the modification. However, that portion of the separation decree disposing of the parties' property in accordance with section 953 is not subject to modification and remains in full force. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] B. Upon the filing of a written declaration signed and acknowledged by both parties stating that they have resumed marital relations, the separation decree terminates. However, that portion of the separation decree disposing of the parties' property in accordance with section 953 is not subject to termination and remains in full force. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] C. Upon entry of a final judgment of divorce between the parties, the separation agreement terminates. However, that portion of the separation decree disposing of the parties' property in accordance with section 953 is not subject to termination and remains in full force. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

13. Joinder with divorce action. If a complaint or counterclaim seeking a divorce pursuant to section 901 is filed in an action in which a complaint or counterclaim seeking a separation decree has also been filed, the court shall order the dismissal of the complaint or counterclaim seeking a separation decree if the court grants a divorce. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

14. Inheritance not barred. A separation decree does not bar the spouses or the issue of the marriage from inheriting. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]

15. Fraud. The court may not grant a judicial separation when the parties seek to procure a judicial separation for fraudulent purposes. [PL 1997, c. 224, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 224, §5 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1869 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1869
19-A §1869. Procedure for rescission or challenge
Status: in_force

1. Every signatory party. Every signatory to an acknowledgment of parentage and denial of parentage under this subchapter must be made a party to a proceeding under section 1867 or 1868 to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment or denial. [PL 2021, c. 141, §14 (AMD).]

2. Submission to personal jurisdiction. For the purpose of rescission of or challenge to an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage, a signatory submits to personal jurisdiction of this State by signing the acknowledgment or denial, effective upon the filing of the document with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics pursuant to section 1864 . [PL 2021, c. 141, §14 (AMD).]

3. Suspension of legal responsibilities. Except for good cause shown, during the pendency of a proceeding under section 1867 or 1868 to rescind or challenge an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage, the court may not suspend the legal responsibilities of a signatory arising from the acknowledgment, including the duty to pay child support. [PL 2021, c. 141, §14 (AMD).]

4. Proceeding to rescind or challenge. A proceeding under section 1867 or 1868 to rescind or challenge an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage must be conducted as a proceeding to adjudicate parentage under subchapter 1 . [PL 2021, c. 141, §14 (AMD).]

5. Amendment to birth record. At the conclusion of a proceeding under section 1867 or 1868 to rescind or challenge an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage, the court shall order the State Registrar of Vital Statistics to amend the birth record of the child, if appropriate. [PL 2021, c. 141, §14 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1803 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 59 / Section 1803
19-A §1803. Petition
Status: in_force

1. Standing to seek grandparent visitation rights. A grandparent of a minor child has standing to initiate and maintain an action for reasonable rights of visitation or access if: A. [PL 2017, c. 328, §2 (RP).] B. There is a sufficient existing relationship between the grandparent and the child; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. [PL 2017, c. 328, §2 (RP).] D. Any other compelling state interest justifies the court's interference with the parent's fundamental right to deny the grandparent access to the child. [PL 2017, c. 328, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 328, §2 (AMD).]

2. Procedure. The following procedures apply to petitions for rights of visitation or access under subsection 1 . A. A grandparent seeking rights of visitation or access shall file with the initial pleadings an affidavit alleging under oath sufficient facts to support the grandparent's standing under subsection 1 . The pleadings and affidavit must be served upon all parents and legal guardians of the child. [PL 2017, c. 328, §3 (AMD).] B. A parent or legal guardian of the child who files a pleading in response to the pleadings in paragraph A shall also file an affidavit in response , serving all parties to the proceeding with a copy. [PL 2017, c. 328, §3 (AMD).] C. The court shall determine on the basis of the pleadings and affidavits under paragraphs A and B whether the grandparent has presented prima facie evidence of standing under subsection 1 . The court may in its sole discretion, if necessary and on an expedited basis, hold a hearing to determine disputed facts that are necessary and material to the issue of standing. [PL 2017, c. 328, §3 (AMD).] D. If the court's determination under paragraph C is in the affirmative, the court may appoint a guardian ad litem as provided in section 1507 . The court shall hold a hearing on the grandparent's petition for reasonable rights of visitation or access and shall consider any objections the parents or legal guardians may have concerning the award of rights of visitation or access to the grandparent. If the court has appointed a guardian ad litem, the court shall also consider the report of the guardian ad litem. The standard for the award of reasonable rights of visitation or access is provided in subsection 3 . [PL 2005, c. 360, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 328, §3 (AMD).]

3. Best interest of the child. The court may grant a grandparent reasonable rights of visitation or access to a minor child upon finding that the grandparent has standing under subsection 1 and that granting the grandparent reasonable rights of visitation or access is in the best interest of the child and would not significantly interfere with any parent-child relationship or with the parent's rightful authority over the child. In deciding whether granting the grandparent reasonable rights of visitation or access is in the best interest of the child and whether it would significantly interfere with the parent-child relationship or with the parent's rightful authority over the child, the court shall consider the following factors: A. The age of the child; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The relationship of the child with the child's grandparents, including the amount of previous contact; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B-1. Whether one or more of the child's parents or legal guardians has died; [PL 2017, c. 328, §4 (NEW).] C. The preference of the child, if old enough to express a meaningful preference; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. The duration and adequacy of the child's current living arrangements and the desirability of maintaining continuity; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. The stability of any proposed living arrangements for the child; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. The motivation of the parties involved and their capacities to give the child love, affection and guidance; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] G. The child's adjustment to the child's present home, school and community; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] H. The capacity of the parent and grandparent to cooperate or to learn to cooperate in child care; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] I. Methods of assisting cooperation and resolving disputes and each person's willingness to use those methods; [PL 2001, c. 665, §5 (AMD).] J. Any other factor having a reasonable bearing on the physical and psychological well-being of the child; and [PL 2001, c. 665, §5 (AMD).] K. The existence of a grandparent's conviction for a sex offense or a sexually violent offense as those terms are defined in Title 34‑A, section 11203 . [PL 2001, c. 665, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 328, §4 (AMD).]

4. Modification or termination. The court may modify or terminate any rights granted under this section as circumstances require. Modification or termination of rights must be consistent with this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Enforcement. The court may issue any orders necessary to enforce orders issued under this section or to protect the rights of parties. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Costs and fees. [PL 2005, c. 323, §13 (RP).]

7. Supervision required; convictions for sexual offenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the court may award a grandparent who is convicted of a child-related sexual offense visitation with a minor grandchild only if the court finds that contact between the grandparent and the child is in the best interest of the child and that adequate provision for the safety of the child can be made. For purposes of this section, "child-related sexual offense" has the same meaning as in section 1653, subsection 6‑A . The court may require that visitation may occur only if there is another person or agency present to supervise visitation. If the court allows a family or household member to supervise grandparent-child contact, the court shall establish conditions to be followed during that contact. Conditions include, but are not limited to, those that: A. Minimize circumstances when the family of the grandparent who is a sex offender or sexually violent predator would be supervising visits; [PL 2001, c. 665, §7 (NEW).] B. Ensure the safety and well-being of the child; and [PL 2001, c. 665, §7 (NEW).] C. Require that supervision be provided by a person who is physically and mentally capable of supervising a visit and who does not have a criminal history or history of abuse or neglect. [PL 2001, c. 665, §7 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 665, §7 (NEW).]

8. Conviction or adjudication for certain sex offenses; presumption. There is a rebuttable presumption that the grandparent would create a situation of jeopardy for the child if any contact were to be permitted and that contact is not in the best interest of the child if the court finds that the grandparent: A. Has been convicted of an offense listed in section 1653, subsection 6‑A, paragraph A in which the victim was a minor at the time of the offense and the grandparent was at least 5 years older than the minor at the time of the offense except that, if the offense was gross sexual assault under Title 17‑A, section 253, subsection 1, paragraph B or C , or an offense in another jurisdiction that involves conduct that is substantially similar to that contained in Title 17‑A, section 253, subsection 1, paragraph B or C , and the minor victim submitted as a result of compulsion, the presumption applies regardless of the ages of the grandparent and the minor victim at the time of the offense; or [PL 2007, c. 513, §4 (AMD).] B. Has been adjudicated in an action under Title 22, chapter 1071 of sexually abusing a person who was a minor at the time of the abuse. [PL 2005, c. 366, §4 (NEW).] The grandparent seeking contact with the child may present evidence to rebut the presumption. [PL 2007, c. 513, §4 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3007 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3007
19-A §3007. Duties of the department as the support enforcement agency
Status: in_force

1. Services to petitioner. The department, upon request, shall provide services to a petitioner in a proceeding under this chapter. [PL 2009, c. 95, §39 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2. Duties. If the department provides services to the petitioner, the department shall: A. Take all steps necessary to enable an appropriate tribunal of this State or another state or a foreign country to obtain jurisdiction over the respondent; [PL 2009, c. 95, §40 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).] B. Request an appropriate tribunal to set a date, time and place for a hearing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. Make a reasonable effort to obtain all relevant information, including information as to income and property of the parties; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. Within 2 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a written notice in a record from an initiating, responding or registering tribunal, send a copy of the notice to the petitioner; [PL 2003, c. 436, §17 (AMD).] E. Within 2 days, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, after receipt of a written communication in a record from the respondent or the respondent's attorney, send a copy of the communication to the petitioner; and [PL 2003, c. 436, §17 (AMD).] F. Notify the petitioner if jurisdiction over the respondent can not be obtained. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 95, §40 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

2-A. Registration; reasonable efforts. If the department requests registration of a child support order in this State for enforcement or for modification, the department shall make reasonable efforts: A. To ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order; or [PL 2003, c. 436, §18 (NEW).] B. If 2 or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, to ensure that a request for such a determination is made in a tribunal having jurisdiction to do so. [PL 2003, c. 436, §18 (NEW).] [PL 2003, c. 436, §18 (NEW).]

2-B. Conversion of amounts to dollars. If the department requests registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears or judgment stated in a foreign currency, the department shall convert the amounts stated in the foreign currency into the equivalent amounts in dollars under the applicable official or market exchange rate as publicly reported. [PL 2003, c. 436, §18 (NEW).]

2-C. Issuance upon request. The department shall issue or request a tribunal of this State to issue a child support order and an income-withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears and interest if requested to do so by a support enforcement agency of another state pursuant to section 3019 . [PL 2009, c. 95, §41 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]

3. No attorney or fiduciary relationship. This chapter does not create or negate a relationship of attorney and client or other fiduciary relationship between the department or the attorney for the department and the individual being assisted by the department. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1553 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1553
19-A §1553. Enforcement
Status: in_force

If paternity has been determined or has been acknowledged according to the laws of this State, the liabilities of the father may be enforced in the same or other proceedings by the mother, the child or the public authority that has furnished or may furnish the reasonable expenses of pregnancy, confinement, education, support or funeral expenses, and by other persons, including private agencies, to the extent that they have furnished the reasonable expenses of pregnancy, confinement, education, support or funeral expenses. Bills and records of expenses paid for pregnancy, childbirth and genetic testing are admissible as evidence without requiring 3rd-party foundation testimony and are prima facie evidence of amounts incurred for those services or for testing on behalf of the child. Chapter 63 applies to an award of past support, which is calculated by applying the current child support guidelines to the period for which past support is owed. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §3 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

In execution of the powers given the court under this subchapter, the court may employ any compulsory process that it determines proper, by execution, attachment or other effectual form, on which costs are taxed as in other actions. The court may enforce a support order established under this subchapter as provided in chapter 65 . A determination or modification of child support under this section must comply with chapter 63 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1842 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1842
19-A §1842. Order on default
Status: in_force

The court may issue an order adjudicating the parentage of a person who is in default, as long as: [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

1. Served with notice. The person was served with notice of the proceeding; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Found to be parent. The person is found by the court to be the parent of the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1509 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1509
19-A §1509. Locator information; presumption concerning notice
Status: in_force

1. Duty of parties to file and update locator information when a support order is issued. Upon entry of a decision, order or judgment, each party to a paternity action or proceeding involving child support shall file with the tribunal that issued the decision, order or judgment and update as the information changes, the party's full name, social security number, residential and mailing addresses, home telephone number, driver's license number and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the party's employers. [PL 1997, c. 537, §14 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

2. Presumption of adequate notice if mailed to last reported address. In any subsequent child support enforcement action or proceeding involving one or more of the parties, upon sufficient showing that diligent effort has been made to ascertain the location of a party and upon delivery of written notice to the most recent residential or employer address filed with the tribunal, the tribunal may deem that the state due process requirements have been met for notice and service of process with respect to the party. [PL 1997, c. 537, §14 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1771 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1771
19-A §1771. Warrant to take physical custody of child
Status: in_force

1. Application for warrant. Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Issuance of warrant; hearing. If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State, it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child. The petition must be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The application for the warrant must include the statements required by section 1768, subsection 2 . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Contents of warrant. A warrant to take physical custody of a child must: A. Recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. Direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. Provide for the placement of the child pending final relief. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

4. Service of petition, warrant, order. The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant and order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

5. Enforcement of warrant. A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this State. If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

6. Conditions to ensure appearance. The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the child and the child's custodian. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1552 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1552
19-A §1552. Obligations of father
Status: in_force

The father of a child is liable for the reasonable expense of the mother's pregnancy and confinement and for the education, support and funeral expenses of the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §2 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2362 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2362
19-A §2362. Release of excess withheld
Status: in_force

If any person has, subject to an order to withhold and deliver, earnings, deposits, accounts or balances in excess of the amount of the debt claimed by the department plus $100, that person may, without liability under this article, release the excess to the responsible parent. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1506 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 51 / Section 1506
19-A §1506. Public assistance recipients' rights of privacy
Status: in_force

When the department seeks to establish paternity of a dependent child, any inquiry about prior or current sexual activity of a recipient of public assistance must be limited to that necessary to resolve a genuine dispute about the parentage of a child. When a custodial mother has informed the department that a particular man is the father of her child, the department may make no further inquiry into her personal life unless the man so identified has denied that he is the father of that child or he refuses to cooperate. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1836 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1836
19-A §1836. Parties to proceeding
Status: in_force

In a proceeding to adjudicate the parentage of a child, all parents of the child must be joined as parties. [PL 2023, c. 25, §1 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1561 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1561
19-A §1561. Effect of test results
Status: in_force

1. Effect of results. The results of the tests required pursuant to chapter 61, subchapter 6 are evidence to be used in determining paternity as follows. A. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §8 (RP); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. If the experts disagree in their findings or conclusions, the question must be submitted upon all the evidence. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §8 (RP); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §8 (RP); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §8 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Chain of custody; evidence. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. B, §8 (RP); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Notarized reports; challenges. A notarized report of the blood and tissue tests, prepared by the appointed experts, must be admitted at trial, unless a written challenge to the testing procedure or the results of the blood and tissue tests has been filed with the court and delivered to opposing counsel at least 30 days before a hearing set to determine the issue of paternity. Failure to make that timely challenge constitutes a waiver of the right to have the experts appear in person and is not grounds for a continuance of the hearing to determine paternity. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2106 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2106
19-A §2106. Dependent health care coverage
Status: in_force

1. Enrollment of dependent children in employer health plans. If a parent is required by a support order to provide private health insurance for a child and the parent is eligible for health insurance through an employer doing business in the State then, upon application by either parent or notice from the court or the department, the employer or plan administrator shall enroll the child, if otherwise eligible, in the employer health plan without regard to any enrollment season restrictions, except as provided by subsection 2 . If the employer offers more than one plan, the employer or plan administrator shall enroll the child in the plan in which the employee is enrolled or, if the employee is not enrolled, in the least costly plan otherwise available, if the plan's services are available where the child resides. If the services of the employee's plan or the least costly plan are not available where the child resides, the employer or plan administrator shall enroll the child in the least costly plan that is available where the child resides. If the plan requires that the participant be enrolled in order for the child to be enrolled, and the participant is not currently enrolled, the employer or the plan administrator must enroll both the participant and the child. The enrollments must be without regard to open season restrictions. The court or the department may issue to a parent's employer or other payor of income a medical support notice to enforce a parent's obligation to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or other health care services for each dependent child of the parent. The format of the medical support notice must be the federal National Medical Support Notice as required by the Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, Public Law 105-200, 42 United States Code, Section 666(a)(19)(A) and the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 United States Code, Section 1169(a)(5)(C). The employer or other payor of income shall complete Part A of the National Medical Support Notice and the plan administrator shall complete Part B. [PL 2009, c. 290, §20 (AMD).]

2. Employer duty to withhold premiums from employee and pay insurer. An employer who enrolls a dependent child under this section shall withhold from the employee's compensation the employee's share, if any, of the cost of the health care coverage for the child enrolled and pay that amount to the insurer, except that the amount of compensation withheld by the employer may not exceed the limits provided for in section 2356 . If withholding the maximum amount of the employee's disposable earnings under section 2356 does not cover the employee's initial share of the cost, the employer may elect not to enroll the employee's dependent child. [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

3. Duty to maintain coverage. An employer may not disenroll or eliminate coverage for a child enrolled under this section unless: A. The employer is provided with satisfactory written evidence that the court or administrative order is no longer in effect; [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] B. The employer is provided with satisfactory written evidence that the child is or will be enrolled in comparable health coverage that will take effect no later than the date when the child is disenrolled; [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] C. The employer has eliminated family health care coverage for all of its employees; or [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] D. The parent who is ordered to provide health care coverage for the child terminates employment. [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

4. Answer. The employer shall respond within 20 days to a parent who requests enrollment or, if a medical support notice has been issued, to the court or the department within 20 days and confirm: A. That the child has been enrolled in the employer's health plan; [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] B. The date when the child will be enrolled, if enrollment is pending; or [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] C. That coverage can not be provided, stating the reasons why coverage can not be provided. [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 290, §21 (AMD).]

5. Notice of coverage and plan changes. If a child is enrolled under this section, the employer shall provide information to the custodial parent that includes the name of the insurer and the extent of the coverage provided and make available any necessary claim forms or enrollment membership cards. The employer shall inform the custodial parent of a change in coverage, change in insurer or if the plan is terminated. The employer shall provide the custodial parent with any information about the plan that the employer provides to covered employees. [PL 1997, c. 537, §29 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3256 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3256
19-A §3256. Notice to issuing tribunal of modification
Status: in_force

Within 30 days after issuance of a modified child-support order, the party obtaining the modification shall file a certified copy of the order with the issuing tribunal that had continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over the earlier order, and in each tribunal in which the party knows the earlier order has been registered. A party who obtains the order and fails to file a certified copy is subject to appropriate sanctions by a tribunal in which the issue of failure to file arises. The failure to file does not affect the validity or enforceability of the modified order of the new tribunal having continuing, exclusive jurisdiction. [PL 2003, c. 436, §45 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1567 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1567
19-A §1567. Settlement agreements
Status: in_force

An agreement of settlement with the alleged father is binding only when approved by the court. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2354 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2354
19-A §2354. Interest of debt due
Status: in_force

Interest of 6% per year on any support debt due or owing to the department under section 2301 may be collected by the commissioner. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1866 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1866
19-A §1866. No filing fee
Status: in_force

The State Registrar of Vital Statistics may not charge a fee for filing an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage. [PL 2021, c. 141, §11 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3008-A — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3008-A
19-A §3008-A. Duty of commissioner
Status: in_force

If the commissioner determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services to an individual, the commissioner may order the agency to perform its duties under this chapter or may otherwise provide those services directly to the individual. [PL 1997, c. 669, §18 (NEW).]

The Attorney General may determine that a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this State and take appropriate action for notification of the determination. [PL 2009, c. 95, §42 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2203 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2203
19-A §2203. Order to seize and sell
Status: in_force

1. Execution of support liens. The department may issue an order to seize and sell to execute a support lien established under former Title 19, section 503 or 503-A or section 2357 or to enforce and collect any money judgment assessed under chapter 51 , chapter 53 , chapter 55 , chapter 63 or this chapter. An order to seize and sell has the same effect as a writ of execution issued by the District Court or the Superior Court. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Issuance of order. An order to seize and sell is an order, under official seal of the department, directed to a county sheriff or a levying officer authorized by law to enforce a District Court or Superior Court judgment. The order must command the recipient of the order to seize and sell specific nonexempt real and personal property of an obligor to satisfy the support lien upon which the order is based. The department must know or have reason to believe the obligor has a substantial ownership interest in the property identified in the order. Before issuing the order, the department must search the records of the applicable registry of deeds for real property and the records of the Secretary of State for personal property to determine if there are other persons who have an ownership interest in the property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Content of order. An order to seize and sell must be signed by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee. The order must be for the amount of the support lien or the amount of any other money obligation determined under this chapter, plus fees and costs, if any. The order must identify the specific property that is the subject of the order. The order must include notice that tells the obligor and other persons who are known to have an ownership interest in the property how to contest the seizure and sale of the property, including notice of the right to an administrative hearing within 5 business days. The order must list the type and value of property that is exempt as provided in subsection 15 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Order limited. The county sheriff or levying officer may not seize property not specifically identified in the order. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Sheriff or levying officer. An order to seize and sell may be sent by the department to a county sheriff or levying officer. Upon receipt of the order, the sheriff or levying officer shall proceed to execute the order in the same manner as prescribed for execution of a judgment. A sheriff or levying officer shall return the order, along with any funds collected, to the department within 90 days of the receipt of the order. Funds resulting from execution of the order must first be applied to the sheriff's or levying officer's costs, then to any superior liens and then to the support lien or other money obligation and any inferior liens of which the department has notice. Any amounts in excess of this distribution must be paid to the obligor. If the order is returned not fully satisfied, the department has the same remedies to collect the deficiency as are available for any civil judgment. [PL 2009, c. 290, §24 (AMD).]

6. Right to hearing. At least 20 calendar days before the sale, the department shall serve a copy of the order on the obligor and all other persons that the department knows have an ownership interest in the property identified in the order. Service of an order under this subsection must be made in the manner provided for service of summons by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. For purposes of this subsection, this service must be deemed to be an action pursuant to Chapter XIII of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. Personal service within the State of a copy of the order may be made by an authorized representative of the commissioner. The obligor and any other persons who claim an ownership interest in the property seized under an order to seize and sell have a right to an administrative hearing to contest the seizure and sale of the property and to establish the value of their relative interest in the property. A request for a hearing must be in writing and must be received by the department within 10 calendar days of service of a copy of the order. Upon receiving a request for a hearing, the department shall notify all persons who the department has reason to believe have an ownership interest in the property of the time, place and nature of the hearing. A. Anyone requesting a hearing has the right to a preliminary hearing within 5 business days of the hearing request. At the preliminary hearing, if the hearing officer determines that there is reasonable ground to believe the seizure was lawful and that the obligor owes a support debt that could be satisfied in whole or in part by nonexempt property that has been seized, the hearing officer shall require the seizure to remain in force and schedule a final hearing, allowing all parties reasonable time to collect evidence and prepare for the final hearing. If the hearing officer determines that the seizure was not lawful or that the obligor does not owe a support debt that could be satisfied in whole or in part by nonexempt property that has been seized, the hearing officer shall declare the order to seize and sell void. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The department shall notify any person who the department has reason to believe has an ownership interest in the seized property of the time and place of the final hearing. At the final hearing, the hearing officer shall determine: (1) Whether the obligor owes a support debt; (2) Whether the support debt could be satisfied in whole or in part by the property seized; (3) The percentage share of ownership of all persons claiming an ownership interest in the property; (4) The amount of the debtor's interest in the property that is exempt; and (5) The value of the interest in the property owned by nonobligor parties with an interest superior to that of the department. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2009, c. 290, §25 (AMD).]

7. Commercially reasonable sale. The sheriff or levying officer may sell the property seized as a unit or in parcels and at any time and place and on any terms not otherwise prohibited by this section, but every aspect of the disposition including the method, manner, time, place and terms must be commercially reasonable. The property may not be sold for less than the debtor's interest in the property that is exempt. The property may not be sold for less than the full value of the interest in the property owned by the nonobligor parties with an interest superior to that of the department. The department reserves the right to reject any and all bids. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

8. Notice of sale. Within 30 days of receiving notice of a sale from the county sheriff or levying officer, the department shall send by regular mail an accounting and proposed distribution of the net proceeds of the sale to the obligor, all joint owners of the property sold and any known lienholders with an interest in the property. The accounting and proposed distribution must include notice of the right to challenge the proposed distribution at an administrative hearing within 30 days. The department may not distribute the proceeds of the sale until the appeal period has run and all appeals have been decided. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

9. Release. Upon receiving payment in full of the order amount plus fees and costs, if any, the department shall release the order to seize and sell. Upon receiving partial payment of the order amount or if the department determines that a release or partial release of the order will facilitate the collection of the unpaid amount, fees and costs, the department may release or may partially release the order to seize and sell. The department shall release the order if it determines the order is unenforceable. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

10. Right to redeem. An obligor or other person or entity having an interest in real or personal property seized under an order to seize and sell at any time prior to the sale of the property may pay the amount of the support lien or other money obligation and any costs incurred by the county sheriff or levying officer serving the order. Upon payment in full, the property must be restored to the obligor or other person or entity having an interest in that property and all proceedings on the order must cease. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

11. Right to redeem after sale. An obligor or other person or entity having an interest in real property seized and sold by a county sheriff or levying officer pursuant to an order to seize and sell may, within 240 days after the sale of the property, redeem the property by making payment to the purchaser in the amount paid by the purchaser, plus interest at the statutory interest rate payable on judgments recovered in the District Court and the Superior Court. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

12. Release not a bar to other action. At any time after seizure and sale of property under an order to seize and sell, the department may release all or part of the seized property without liability if payment of the support lien or other money obligation is ensured or if the release will facilitate collection of the support lien or money obligation. The release or return of the property does not prevent future action to collect the order amount from that property or other property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

13. Statute of limitations. The department may issue an order to seize and sell to collect a support lien or other money obligation under chapter 51 , chapter 53 , chapter 55 , chapter 63 or this chapter at any time within the statutory limitation period for enforcing and collecting child support amounts. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

14. Additional remedies. The use of an order to seize and sell is not exclusive and the department may use any other remedy provided by law for the collection of child support. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

15. Exempt property. The following property is exempt from seizure and sale, except to the extent that it has been fraudulently conveyed by the obligor: A. The obligor's aggregate interest, not to exceed $47,500 in value, in real or personal property that the obligor uses as a residence; [PL 2015, c. 212, §2 (AMD).] B. The obligor's interest, not to exceed $5,000 in value, in one motor vehicle; [PL 2015, c. 212, §2 (AMD).] C. The obligor's interest, not to exceed $200 in value in any particular item, in household furnishings, household goods, wearing apparel, appliances, books, animals, crops or musical instruments that are held primarily for the personal, family or household use of the obligor or a dependent of the obligor; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. The obligor's aggregate interest, not to exceed $5,000 in value, in any implements, professional books or tools of the trade of the obligor or the trade of a dependent of the obligor, including, but not limited to, power tools, materials and stock designed and procured by the obligor and necessary for carrying on the obligor's trade or business and intended to be used or wrought in that trade or business; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. The obligor's interest in the following items held primarily for the personal, family or household use of the obligor or a dependent of the obligor: (1) One cooking stove; (2) All furnaces or stoves used for heating; and (3) All cooking and heating fuel not to exceed 10 cords of wood, 5 tons of coal or 1,000 gallons of petroleum products or the equivalent amount of another type of fuel; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. The obligor's interest in the following items held primarily for the personal, family or household use of the obligor or a dependent of the obligor: (1) All food provisions, whether raised or purchased, reasonably necessary for 6 months; (2) All seeds, fertilizers, feed and other material reasonably necessary to raise and harvest food through one growing season; and (3) All tools and equipment reasonably necessary for raising and harvesting food; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] G. The obligor's interest in one of every type of farm implement reasonably necessary for the obligor to raise and harvest agricultural products commercially, including any personal property incidental to the maintenance and operation of the farm implements; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] H. The obligor's interest in one boat, not exceeding 5 tons burden, used by the debtor primarily for commercial fishing; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] I. Professionally prescribed health aids for the obligor or a dependent of the obligor. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 212, §2 (AMD).]

16. Repeal. [PL 1997, c. 669, §4 (RP).]
19-A M.R.S. § 656 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 23 / Section 656
19-A §656. License
Status: in_force

1. Contents of license. A marriage license must have conspicuously printed on it the following words: "The laws of Maine provide that only authorized persons may solemnize marriages in this State." [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Completed license; ceremony performed. Each marriage license issued must be completed and the certification statement signed by both parties to the intended marriage. The parties' signatures may be obtained at issuance or at the time the marriage is solemnized. The completed license or licenses must be delivered by the parties to the person solemnizing the marriage. Upon completion of the solemnization, which must be performed in the presence of at least 2 witnesses other than the person officiating, the person officiating and the 2 witnesses shall sign the license or licenses, which are then known as the marriage certificate or certificates, and the parties are considered legally married. [PL 2025, c. 130, §6 (AMD).]

3. Name change. If the marriage license indicates that a party intends to change that party's name under section 654, subsection 3 , the new name indicated on the license becomes effective upon completion of the marriage license pursuant to subsection 2 . [PL 2019, c. 82, §3 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 903 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 29 / Section 903
19-A §903. Preliminary injunction, effect; attachment or trustee process
Status: in_force

1. Issuance of preliminary injunction by the court; service; contents; effect. In all actions for divorce or for spousal or child support following divorce by a court that lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse the District Court shall issue a preliminary injunction order in the following manner. A. The preliminary injunction must bear the signature or facsimile signature of the clerk, be under the seal of the court and contain the name of the court issuing the preliminary injunction and the names of the parties. If the plaintiff is represented, the preliminary injunction must also state the name and address of the plaintiff's attorney. The preliminary injunction may be obtained in blank from the clerk for a fee. The plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney shall serve the preliminary injunction on the defendant along with the summons and complaint. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] B. The preliminary injunction must be directed to each party to the action and must order that, unless the parties otherwise agree in writing or unless the court orders otherwise: (1) Except as specifically allowed by paragraph B-1, each party is prohibited from damaging, destroying, transferring, encumbering, concealing, selling or otherwise disposing of any property owned or claimed by either or both of the parties, regardless of whose name the property is in or who holds title to the property. Violations of this subparagraph include but are not limited to the following: (a) Withdrawing from or borrowing from or against all or any part of the cash surrender value of a life insurance policy of either party or of a child of the parties; (b) Withdrawing from or borrowing from or against all or any part of the retirement, profit-sharing, pension, death or other employee benefit plan or from an employee savings plan, an individual retirement account or a "Keogh" retirement account; and (c) Intentionally or knowingly damaging or destroying the personal property of the parties, including but not limited to any electronically stored materials, electronic communications, financial records and documents that represent or embody anything of value; (3) Each party is prohibited from canceling or voluntarily removing the other party or a child of the parties from a policy of health, dental or disability insurance that provides coverage for the other party or the child of the parties and that each party is required to comply with any annual renewal requirements or deadlines necessary for the maintenance of such policies; (4) Each party is prohibited from canceling or changing in any way, including by changing a beneficiary of, a casualty, life or motor vehicle policy insuring a party or the party's property; (5) Each party is prohibited from opening, tampering with, destroying, deleting or withholding mail, e-mail or text messages or any other form of communication addressed to the other party; and (6) Each party is prohibited from signing the other party's name on any negotiable instrument, check or draft, including but not limited to a tax refund, security deposit, insurance payment or dividend. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] B-1. Notwithstanding paragraph B , subparagraph (1), the preliminary injunction does not prohibit a party from accessing funds or incurring debt for the following purposes: (1) To continue the regular operations of an ongoing business; (2) To pay for the necessities of life, including housing, utilities, food, transportation, school, child care and medical expenses; (3) To retain an attorney for the legal separation or divorce proceeding; and (4) To make regular withdrawals or required minimum withdrawals in the normal course of retirement. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (NEW).] C. The preliminary injunction must include the following statement: "Warning This is an official court order. If you disobey this order the court may find you in contempt of court. This court order will remain in effect until the earliest of the following: (1) The court revokes or modifies it; (2) A final divorce judgment or decree of judicial separation is entered; or (3) The action is dismissed." [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] D. The preliminary injunction is effective against the plaintiff upon the commencement of the action and against the defendant upon service of a copy of both the complaint and the preliminary injunction in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. The plaintiff is deemed to have accepted service of the plaintiff's copy of the preliminary injunction and to have actual notice of its contents by filing or causing the complaint to be served. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] E. The preliminary injunction has the force and effect of and is an order of a Judge of the District Court and is enforceable by all remedies made available by law, including contempt of court. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).]

2. Revocation or modification by the court. A preliminary injunction may be revoked or modified by the court after hearing for good cause shown. The party seeking to revoke or modify the preliminary injunction shall file a motion together with an affidavit that demonstrates the good cause necessary for revocation or modification. A. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on 7 days' notice to the other party or on shorter notice as the court may order, either party subject to a preliminary injunction may appear and move the dissolution or modification of the preliminary injunction, and in that event the court shall proceed to hear and determine the motion as expeditiously as justice requires. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] B. Mediation is not required before a hearing on a motion to revoke or modify a preliminary injunction except as directed by the court. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The court may modify or add to the terms of the preliminary injunction at any time during the pendency of the proceeding. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] D. A preliminary injunction terminates and ceases to have effect when: (1) The court revokes or modifies it, except that, if the court modifies the preliminary injunction, the modified preliminary injunction takes effect upon the termination of the existing preliminary injunction and remains effective until later terminated as provided in this paragraph; (2) A final divorce judgment or decree of judicial separation is entered; or (3) The action is dismissed. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).]

3. Remedies. The court may enforce a preliminary injunction issued pursuant to this section: A. By finding a person who disobeys or resists the injunction in contempt of court; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. By requiring a person who disobeys or resists the injunction to pay the costs and attorney's fees that the other party incurred to enforce the preliminary injunction; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. By appropriate processes as in other actions. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] The remedies provided in this subsection for enforcement of a preliminary injunction are in addition to any other civil or criminal remedies available, including civil contempt of court. The use of one remedy does not prevent the simultaneous or subsequent use of any other remedy. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. No effect on protection orders. Orders issued pursuant to this section do not supersede orders issued pursuant to former chapter 101 or to chapter 103 . [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).]

5. Attachment of property; trustee process. Attachment of real or personal property or on trustee process may be used in connection with an action for divorce or spousal or child support following divorce by a court that lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Application. Except as provided in subsection 1 , the injunction authorized in this section does not apply to post-divorce actions. [PL 2023, c. 204, §2 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2361 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2361
19-A §2361. Order to appear and disclose
Status: in_force

1. Order. The commissioner may commence an action under Title 14, chapter 502 by directing a responsible parent to appear before the department to disclose under oath information that relates to the responsible parent's ability to pay child support. The commissioner may require a responsible parent who is directed to appear to provide documents, papers and other evidence about the responsible parent's income and assets for the purpose of enforcing a support order. Notwithstanding section 2254 , an order to appear and disclose must be served on the responsible parent by personal service as provided for personal service of summons by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(d). Personal service within the State of an order to appear and disclose may be made by an authorized representative of the commissioner. Personal service outside the State of an order to appear and disclose may be made in the manner provided for personal service of summons outside the State by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4(e). [PL 2009, c. 290, §32 (AMD).]

2. Venue. The department may commence the action by ordering the obligor to appear at an office of the department, as long as the distance to be travelled by the obligor is no more than 100 miles from the obligor's place of residence. If the department files the action in court, the department shall file the action in the division of the District Court where the obligor resides or in the division that has ordered the obligor to pay child support, if any. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Notice to responsible parent. The department shall include a notice to the responsible parent with each order to appear and disclose. The notice must include the following information: A. The date, time and place of the disclosure proceeding; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The amount of child support the responsible parent owes; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. That the department may file a record of the proceeding in court to collect the debt; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. That, if the department files a record of the proceeding in court, the court will notify the responsible parent by regular mail of the date, time and place of the court hearing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. That, if a record of the proceeding is filed in court, the court may issue any lawful order, including a sale or turnover order, an order to seek employment or a civil order of arrest; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. That, if a record of the proceeding is filed in court and the responsible parent is not making regular child support payments, the burden of proof is on the responsible parent to show why regular payments can not be made; [PL 1997, c. 407, §2 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 407, §5 (AFF); PL 1997, c. 537, §46 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] G. The penalties as provided by this section that could be incurred by the responsible parent for failure to appear, failure to provide documents, papers and other evidence as required or intentionally providing false information; [RR 1997, c. 1, §17 (COR).] H. That the responsible parent must provide to the department the name and last known address of any other person that has an ownership in any property in which the responsible parent has an ownership interest; and [RR 1997, c. 1, §18 (COR).] I. That failure to comply with the order to appear and disclose may result in revocation of the obligor's driver's license, occupational licenses or other licenses as defined in section 2101, subsection 7 . [RR 1997, c. 1, §19 (RAL).] The notice must be accompanied by a copy of the support order under which the responsible parent owes child support. [RR 1997, c. 1, §§17-19 (COR).]

4. Notice to obligee. The department shall provide notice to the obligee of the time and place of the disclosure proceeding and the nature of the proceeding. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Limitation of action. The department may issue an order to appear and disclose only if the responsible parent owes $500 or more in overdue child support, the amount has been owed for at least 60 days and the responsible parent is not making reasonable, regular payments to reduce the debt. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Continuance. The department may grant a continuance of the proceeding for good cause. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Transcribable record. The department shall prepare an official, transcribable record of all proceedings held under this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

8. Failure to appear. If the responsible parent fails to appear after being served with an order to appear and disclose, the department may request a civil order of arrest pursuant to Title 14, sections 3134 and 3135 for violating the order to appear and disclose by filing a copy of the order to appear and disclose, proof of service of the order and an affidavit attesting that the responsible parent failed to appear for the administrative disclosure proceeding. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

9. Court action. The commissioner may file the record of a proceeding in the District Court to ask the court for any appropriate relief under Title 14, chapter 502 , including an order requiring the responsible parent to seek employment and report that activity to the department. The record must be accompanied by a motion. The department shall notify the responsible parent by regular mail upon filing the record in court. The notice to the responsible parent must include a copy of the department's motion. The filing of the record, along with proof of service of the order to appear and disclose, constitutes a filing under the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 3(1) and further service is not required. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

10. Representation of the department. The commissioner may designate employees of the department who are not attorneys to represent the department in District Court in a proceeding filed under this section. A designated employee may prepare and sign the motion as required under subsection 9 . The commissioner shall ensure that appropriate training is provided to all employees designated to represent the department under this subsection. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

11. Employee protection. An employer who discharges, refuses to employ or takes disciplinary action against a responsible parent, or who otherwise discriminates against the parent because the parent must appear before the department pursuant to this section is liable in an action by the responsible parent for compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

12. Penalties. Failure to appear before the department, absent good cause, is a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000 may be adjudged. Failure to provide documents, papers and other evidence as required, absent good cause, is a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000 may be adjudged. Intentionally providing false information is a civil violation for which a forfeiture not to exceed $1,000 may be adjudged for each violation. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

13. Repeal. [PL 1997, c. 669, §9 (RP).]

14. License revocation. If an obligor who is served with a support order under subsection 1 fails to appear without good cause or fails to provide documents, papers and other evidence as required by the order without good cause, the department may certify the obligor's noncompliance to the Secretary of State for suspension of the obligor's driver's license and right to operate a motor vehicle and to any board or other entity in the State that issues a license as defined in section 2101, subsection 7 . Upon receipt of a certification of noncompliance from the department, the Secretary of State, board or other entity shall cause any licenses held by the obligor to be suspended or revoked and may not issue or renew a license to the obligor until the department issues a written statement that the obligor has complied with the order. A suspension, revocation or refusal by a board or other licensing entity to reissue, renew or otherwise extend a license or permit of an obligor certified by the department is a final determination within the meaning of Title 5, section 10002 . [PL 1997, c. 537, §48 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 601 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 21 / Section 601
19-A §601. Short title
Status: in_force

This chapter is known and may be cited as the "Uniform Premarital Agreement Act." [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2651 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2651
19-A §2651. Income withholding
Status: in_force

1. Immediate income withholding. Every support order established or modified under this Title or Title 22 is subject to immediate income withholding in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter, unless the court finds good cause or approves an alternative arrangement as provided in section 2657. [PL 2011, c. 528, §1 (AMD).]

2. Immediate income withholding; modification of orders. Upon the motion of an obligee, an obligor or the department, the court shall modify a support order issued before October 13, 1993 to provide for immediate income withholding. [PL 2011, c. 528, §1 (AMD).]

3. Immediate income withholding; implementation of orders. Immediate income withholding may be implemented by the department for a recipient of the department's support enforcement services, by a support obligee who does not receive the department's support enforcement services or by a support obligor. Immediate income withholding is implemented by serving an attested copy of the support order, along with the notice required under section 2655 , upon the obligor's payor of income. Notwithstanding this subsection, the department may implement immediate income withholding by serving the notice required under section 2655 upon the obligor's payor of income without providing an attested copy of the support order. [PL 2011, c. 528, §1 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1762 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1762
19-A §1762. Enforcement under Hague Convention
Status: in_force

Under this subchapter a court of this State may enforce an order for the return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction as if it were a child custody determination. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1603 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1603
19-A §1603. Limitation on recovery from father
Status: in_force

An alleged father's liability for past expenses incurred is limited to the 6 years preceding service of the notice under section 1605 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 953 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 29 / Section 953
19-A §953. Disposition of property
Status: in_force

1. Disposition. In a proceeding for a divorce, for legal separation or for disposition of property following dissolution of the marriage by a court that lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse or lacked jurisdiction to dispose of the property, the court shall set apart to each spouse the spouse's property and shall divide the marital property in proportions the court considers just after considering all relevant factors, including: A. The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the marital property, including the contribution of a spouse as homemaker; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The value of the property set apart to each spouse; [PL 2021, c. 122, §3 (AMD).] C. The economic circumstances of each spouse at the time the division of property is to become effective, including the desirability of awarding the family home or the right to live in the home for reasonable periods to the spouse having custody of the children; and [PL 2021, c. 122, §3 (AMD).] D. Economic abuse by a spouse. For the purposes of this paragraph, "economic abuse" has the same meaning as in section 4102, subsection 5 . [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. C, §3 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. C, §3 (AMD).]

2. Definition. For purposes of this section, "marital property" means all property acquired by either spouse subsequent to the marriage, except: A. Property acquired by gift, bequest, devise or descent; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. Property acquired in exchange for property acquired prior to the marriage or in exchange for property acquired by gift, bequest, devise or descent; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. Property acquired by a spouse after a decree of legal separation; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. Property excluded by valid agreement of the parties; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. The increase in value of property acquired prior to the marriage and the increase in value of a spouse's nonmarital property as defined in paragraphs A to D . (1) "Increase in value" includes: (a) Appreciation resulting from market forces; and (b) Appreciation resulting from reinvested income and capital gain unless either or both spouses had a substantial active role during the marriage in managing, preserving or improving the property. (2) "Increase in value" does not include: (a) Appreciation resulting from the investment of marital funds or property in the nonmarital property; (b) Appreciation resulting from marital labor; and (c) Appreciation resulting from reinvested income and capital gain if either or both spouses had a substantial active role during the marriage in managing, preserving or improving the property. [PL 1999, c. 665, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 665, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 665, §1 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 665, §2 (AFF).]

3. Acquired subsequent to marriage. All property acquired by either spouse subsequent to the marriage and prior to a decree of legal separation is presumed to be marital property regardless of whether title is held individually or by the spouses in some form of coownership such as joint tenancy, tenancy in common, tenancy by the entirety or community property. The presumption of marital property is overcome by a showing that the property was acquired by a method listed in subsection 2 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Disposition of marital property. If both parties to a divorce action also request the court in writing to order disposition of marital property acquired by either or both of the parties to the divorce prior to January 1, 1972, or nonmarital property owned by the parties to the divorce action, the court shall also order disposition in accordance with subsection 1 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Decree contents. If the final divorce decree disposes of real property, it must name the party or parties responsible for preparing and recording the decree of divorce or abstract of the decree and paying the recording fee after the clerk has prepared or approved the abstract. The decree may name different parties to be responsible for different parcels. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Nonowner spouse claims. Notwithstanding the actual notice provisions of Title 14, section 4455 or any other laws, a claim of a nonowner spouse to real estate as "marital property," as defined in this section, does not affect title to the real estate of the owner spouse until the nonowner spouse records in the appropriate registry of deeds either: A. A copy of the divorce complaint as filed in court; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. A clerk's certificate of the divorce complaint, as described in Title 14, section 4455, subsection 2 ; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. A decree or abstract of the decree as described in this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] This recording requirement applies to all divorce proceedings in this State or in any other jurisdiction. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6-A. Nonowner spouse interest in certain payments or accounts. After the filing of a divorce complaint under section 901 , a nonowner spouse has an inchoate equitable ownership interest, without the need to obtain an attachment, levy or court order, in the individual retirement account or similar plan or contract on account of illness, disability, death, age or length of service of the owner spouse, to the extent the account or plan is either exempt or beyond the reach of an attaching or judgment lien creditor under state or federal law. [PL 2005, c. 298, §1 (NEW).]

7. Decree or abstract as deed. All rights acquired under former Title 19, section 721or 723 on or before December 31, 1971 and all rights acquired under this section by a party in the real estate of the other party are effective against a person when the decree of divorce or an abstract of the decree is filed in the registry of deeds for the county or registry district where the real estate is situated. The decree or abstract, at a minimum, must contain: A. The caption of the case, including the names of the parties, and any changes to the parties' names after the decree; [PL 2003, c. 18, §1 (NEW).] B. The date the judgment is final and the court that issued the decree; [PL 2003, c. 18, §1 (NEW).] C. An adequate description of the real estate, such as by reference to the volume and page number of an instrument recorded in the registry of deeds or the probate court record, or an adequate description by metes and bounds or by reference to the volume and page number of the registry of deeds' records of a survey plan of the property; [PL 2003, c. 18, §1 (NEW).] D. Any provision of the decree intended by the court to constitute an encumbrance against real estate, including any conditions pertaining to the encumbrance, in the verbatim language used by the court. If the abstract does not contain the provision required by this paragraph, an encumbrance may not be considered effective against a 3rd party unless the encumbrance has been memorialized in a separate, duly recorded instrument; and [PL 2003, c. 18, §1 (NEW).] E. A clear statement of the ownership interest of the parties in the real estate intended by the court to result from that decree. [PL 2003, c. 18, §1 (NEW).] An inconsequential failure to provide all the details required pursuant to paragraphs A to E does not create an invalid abstract for purposes of this section. The failure of a party to record the decree or an abstract of the decree within a time period prescribed by former Title 19, section 725does not affect the rights of that party as against the other party or the other party's heirs or devisees. The recording of the decree or abstract of the decree has the force and effect of a quitclaim deed releasing all interest in the real estate described in the decree or abstract of the decree, whether the interest is in fee or by statute. [PL 2003, c. 18, §1 (RPR).]

8. Out-of-state divorce decrees. When a divorce has been granted out of the State, the plaintiff, or the plaintiff's attorney, shall cause a duly authenticated copy of the order to be recorded with the register of deeds in each of the counties where the real estate or any part of the real estate is situated. The appropriate recording fee must be paid prior to the recording. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

9. Omitted property. If a final divorce decree fails to set apart or divide marital property over which the court had jurisdiction, the omitted property is deemed held by both parties as tenants in common. On the motion of either party, the court may set aside or divide the omitted property between the parties, as justice may require. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

10. Companion animals. In the disposition of property pursuant to subsection 1 , the court, with respect to a companion animal, shall award ownership of the companion animal to only one party after considering all relevant factors, including, but not limited to: A. The well-being and basic daily needs of the companion animal; [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] B. The amount of time each party has spent with the companion animal during the marriage tending to the companion animal's nutritional, grooming, physical and medical needs; [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] C. The ability of a party to continue to own, support and provide adequate care for the companion animal; [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] D. The emotional attachment of a party to the companion animal; [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] E. The emotional attachment of any child in the household to the companion animal and the benefit to the child of the companion animal's remaining in the primary residence of the child; [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] F. Any domestic violence between the parties or in the household of the parties; and [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] G. Any history of animal abuse or other unsafe conditions for the companion animal. [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).] For the purposes of this subsection, "companion animal" means an animal kept primarily for companionship rather than as a working animal, service animal or farm animal kept for profit. [PL 2021, c. 285, §1 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2309 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2309
19-A §2309. Recovery of health care benefits
Status: in_force

1. Remedies available. After notice and opportunity for hearing, the department may use any remedies available for collection of child support to recover money from a responsible parent who: A. Is required by a court or administrative order to provide health care coverage for a dependent child; [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] B. Has received payment from a 3rd party for health care costs incurred by the dependent child and paid for by the custodial parent, the department or another payor of public assistance; and [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] C. Has not reimbursed the custodial parent, department or another payor of public assistance who has paid for the dependent child's care. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] A claim for current or past-due child support takes priority over a claim under this section. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

2. Notice to responsible parent. An action to recover health care benefits under this section may be commenced by serving notice on the responsible parent. The notice must: A. Explain the nature of the proceeding; [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] B. Explain to the responsible parent that the responsible parent may contest the claim set forth in the notice at a department administrative hearing; [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] C. State the responsible parent's basic hearing rights; [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] D. Inform the responsible parent of what the department may do to collect the claim if the responsible parent does not contest it; and [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] E. Explain to the responsible parent about the stay of collection provided for by subsection 7 . [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

3. Service. The department shall attach a copy of the responsible parent's support order to the notice. Service of the notice must be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service as specified in the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. For purposes of this section, authorized representatives of the commissioner may serve the notice. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

4. Notice to custodial parent. If the department commences an action under this section for the benefit of a custodial parent, the department shall mail a copy of the notice to the custodial parent by regular mail. The notice to the custodial parent must state the custodial parent's basic hearing rights. If the custodial parent's rights are at issue, the department shall send to the custodial parent by regular mail notice of the date, time and place of the hearing if one is requested. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

5. Administrative hearing. A responsible parent may request an administrative hearing upon service of the notice described in subsection 2 . The request for hearing must be made in writing and must be received by the department within 20 days of service. The department shall conduct hearings under this subsection in accordance with the requirements of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter IV . The issues that may be considered at the hearing are limited to whether the responsible parent is required to provide health care coverage for each dependent child, whether the responsible parent has received payment from a 3rd party for health care costs incurred by each dependent child and paid for by the custodial parent, the department or another payor of public assistance and whether the responsible parent has reimbursed the custodial parent, the department or another payor of public assistance for the cost of care provided. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

6. Decision after hearing. The department shall issue a decision after hearing without undue delay as to whether the responsible parent is required to provide health care coverage for each dependent child, whether the responsible parent has received payment from a 3rd party for health care costs incurred by each dependent child and paid for by the custodial parent, the department or another payor of public assistance and whether the responsible parent has reimbursed the custodial parent, the department or another payor of public assistance, as applicable, for the cost of care provided. The decision must be based on the hearing record and rules adopted by the commissioner. The responsible parent must be informed of the right to file a petition for judicial review of the decision in Superior Court within 30 days of the date of the decision. The department shall send an attested copy of the decision to the responsible parent by regular mail to the responsible parent's most recent address of record. If the decision affects the rights of the custodial parent, the department shall send the custodial parent a copy of the decision, which must state the custodial parent's right to judicial review. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

7. Stay; collection. If a responsible parent requests a hearing in a timely manner, the department may not take collection action until a decision after hearing is issued or until the responsible parent abandons the request for a hearing. If a decision establishes that the custodial parent, the department or another payor of public assistance is entitled to reimbursement by the responsible parent, the department may begin collection 30 days after the decision is mailed to the responsible parent. If a responsible parent who is served notice under subsection 2 does not request a hearing in a timely manner, the department may begin collection of the amount claimed in the notice 30 days after the date of service. [PL 1997, c. 537, §44 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1613 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1613
19-A §1613. Applicability; Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 12(b)
Status: in_force

If a record of the proceeding is filed under section 1611 or section 1612, subsection 3 , the alleged father is not required to file an additional denial of paternity. He may assert any defense, in law or fact. Any defense must be asserted within 25 days after the mailing by ordinary mail of a notice to the alleged father that the record has been filed in court. The notice must contain the substance of this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2363 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2363
19-A §2363. Administrative seizure and disposition of property
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall proceed as follows with respect to administrative seizure and disposition of property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

1. Seizure and surrender. When a lien has been filed pursuant to former Title 19, section 503 or 503-A or section 2357 , the commissioner may collect the debt stated in the lien by seizing, if this can be done without breach of the peace, or demanding surrender of, any property subject to the lien and disposing of that property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Disposition; notice. The commissioner, as soon as practicable after seizure, shall notify the responsible parent and any person claiming an interest in the property about the seizure and proposed disposition. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Disposition; optional methods. Either of the following methods may be used in the disposition of any property under this section: A. The property seized may be disposed of in any commercially reasonable manner; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The seized property may be turned over to the recipient of assistance for the express benefit of the dependent child involved, if the commissioner and the responsible parent agree on the value of the property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Bill of sale or deed. The commissioner may issue a bill of sale or deed to the purchaser. The bill of sale or deed is prima facie evidence of the right of the commissioner to make the sale and conclusive evidence of the regularity of the proceedings and transfers to the purchaser all right, title and interest of the responsible parent in the property. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1742 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1742
19-A §1742. Cooperation between courts; preservation of records
Status: in_force

1. Request to court of another state. A court of this State may request the appropriate court of another state to: A. Hold an evidentiary hearing; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. Order a person to produce or give evidence pursuant to procedures of that state; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. Order that an evaluation be made with respect to the custody of a child involved in a pending proceeding; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] D. Forward to the court of this State a certified copy of the transcript of the record of the hearing, the evidence otherwise presented and any evaluation prepared in compliance with the request; and [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] E. Order a party to a child custody proceeding or any person having physical custody of the child to appear in the proceeding with or without the child. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Hearing or order upon request by court of another state. Upon request of a court of another state, a court of this State may hold a hearing or enter an order described in subsection 1 . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Assessment of expenses. Travel and other necessary and reasonable expenses incurred under subsections 1 and 2 may be assessed against the parties according to the law of this State. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

4. Preservation of records. A court of this State shall preserve the pleadings, orders, decrees, records of hearings, evaluations and other pertinent records with respect to a child custody proceeding until the child attains 18 years of age. Upon appropriate request by a court or law enforcement official of another state, the court shall forward a certified copy of those records. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 655 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 23 / Section 655
19-A §655. Authorization; penalties
Status: in_force

1. Persons authorized to solemnize marriages. The following may solemnize marriages in this State: A. If a resident of this State: (1) A justice or judge; (2) A lawyer admitted to the Maine Bar; or (5) A marriage officiant under Title 5, section 90‑G ; [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. B, §§4, 5 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. B, §7 (AFF).] B. Whether a resident or nonresident of this State and whether or not a citizen of the United States: (1) An ordained minister of the gospel; (2) A cleric engaged in the service of the religious body to which the cleric belongs; or (3) A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body; and [PL 2011, c. 111, §3 (AMD).] C. A nonresident of the State who has a temporary registration certificate issued by the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics pursuant to subsection 1‑A . [PL 2011, c. 111, §4 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. B, §§4, 5 (AMD); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. B, §7 (AFF).]

1-A. Temporary registration certificate. The Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics may issue a temporary registration certificate to solemnize a marriage ceremony to an individual who is a resident of another state and who is authorized under the laws of that state to solemnize marriages. A. An individual seeking a temporary registration certificate under this subsection must submit to the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics: (1) A copy of a valid commission or other indicia of authority to perform marriage ceremonies in the individual's state of residence as proof of existence of the authority; (2) A copy of the other state's statute that grants the individual authority to solemnize marriages in that state; (3) The names and residences of the 2 parties whose marriage the individual proposes to solemnize and the expected date of the marriage ceremony; and (4) A $100 registration fee. [PL 2011, c. 111, §5 (NEW).] B. Upon finding that the individual has satisfied the requirements of paragraph A, the Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics shall issue to the individual a temporary registration certificate authorizing the individual to solemnize the marriage of the parties whose names were provided pursuant to paragraph A , subparagraph (3). The Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics may decline to issue a temporary registration certificate if complaints filed against the individual for actions in this State have been substantiated or for other good cause, even if the state in which the individual is authorized to solemnize marriages has not taken disciplinary action. [PL 2011, c. 111, §5 (NEW).] C. A temporary registration certificate does not authorize the individual to solemnize any marriage other than the marriage of the parties provided pursuant to paragraph A , subparagraph (3). [PL 2011, c. 111, §5 (NEW).] D. A temporary registration certificate under this subsection expires upon the individual's signing the marriage license or 90 days after issuance, whichever occurs first. [PL 2011, c. 111, §5 (NEW).] E. The Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics shall keep a permanent record of all temporary registration certificates issued under this subsection. The records must contain the name and residence of each individual to whom a temporary registration certificate is issued. [PL 2011, c. 111, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2011, c. 111, §5 (NEW).]

2. Enforcement. The State Registrar of Vital Statistics shall enforce this section as far as it comes within the state registrar's power and shall notify the district attorney of the county in which the penalty should be enforced of the facts that have come to the state registrar's knowledge. Upon receipt of this notice, the district attorney shall prosecute the person who violated this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Religious exemption. This chapter does not require any member of the clergy to perform or any church, religious denomination or other religious institution to host any marriage in violation of the religious beliefs of that member of the clergy, church, religious denomination or other religious institution. The refusal to perform or host a marriage under this subsection cannot be the basis for a lawsuit or liability and does not affect the tax-exempt status of the church, religious denomination or other religious institution. [IB 2011, c. 1, §4 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2657 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2657
19-A §2657. Good cause; alternative arrangements
Status: in_force

The court may elect not to render a child support order subject to immediate income withholding under this subchapter if: [PL 2011, c. 528, §5 (AMD).]

1. Written agreement. A written agreement between the parties providing an alternative arrangement is filed with and approved by the court; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Demonstration of good cause. A party demonstrates and the court finds that there is good cause not to require immediate income withholding. For purposes of this subsection, a finding of good cause by the court must be based on a determination that immediate income withholding would not be in the best interest of the child and a showing by the responsible parent that any previously ordered support was paid timely. The court shall explain the basis for a finding of good cause in the support order. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2970 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2970
19-A §2970. Application of chapter to nonresident subject to personal jurisdiction
Status: in_force

A tribunal of this State exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under this chapter or under other laws of this State relating to a support order or recognizing a foreign support order may receive evidence from outside this State pursuant to section 3016 , communicate with a tribunal outside this State pursuant to section 3017 and obtain discovery through a tribunal outside this State pursuant to section 3018 . In all other respects, subchapters 3 to 7-A do not apply and the tribunal shall apply the procedural and substantive law of this State. [PL 2009, c. 95, §33 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2202 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2202
19-A §2202. Family financial responsibility
Status: repealed

1. Purpose. The Legislature finds and declares that child support is a basic legal right of the State's parents and children, that parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their children and that child support payments can have a substantial impact on child poverty and state welfare expenditures. It is therefore the Legislature's intent to encourage payment of child support to decrease overall costs to the State's taxpayers while increasing the amount of financial support collected for the State's children. The department is authorized to initiate action under this section against individuals who are not in compliance with an order of support. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §21 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

1-A. Written agreement to pay past-due support. An obligor who is presently unable to pay all past-due support may come into compliance with the support order by executing a written payment agreement with the department and by complying with that agreement. A condition of a written payment agreement must be that the obligor pay the current child support when due. Before a written payment agreement is executed, the obligor shall: A. Disclose fully to the department in writing on a form prescribed by the department the obligor's financial circumstances, including income from all sources, assets, liabilities and work history for the past year; and [PL 1997, c. 466, §12 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).] B. Provide documentation to the department concerning the obligor's financial circumstances, including copies of the most recent state and federal income tax returns, both personal and business, a copy of a recent pay stub representative of current income and copies of other records that show the obligor's income and the present value of assets held by the obligor. [PL 1997, c. 466, §12 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).] After full disclosure, the department shall determine the obligor's ability to pay past-due support and request the obligor to execute a written payment agreement consistent with the obligor's ability to pay, not to exceed the limits on income withholding in section 2356 . [PL 1997, c. 466, §12 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]

1-B. Failure to comply with written agreement. Failure to comply with a written payment agreement is grounds for license revocation unless the obligor notifies the department that the obligor is unable to comply with the agreement and provides the department with evidence of the obligor's current financial circumstances to support the claim. The consequences of failing to comply with a written payment agreement and the requirements to avoid license revocation, if the obligor can not comply with the agreement, must be stated in the agreement. If the obligor claims inability to comply with a written payment agreement, the department, upon motion to the District Court, may request the court to determine the obligor's ability to pay past-due support. After notice and an opportunity for hearing, the court may make a finding of money due, render judgment in that amount and order any relief provided under sections 2603 and 2603‑A . For purposes of this subsection, the commissioner may designate employees of the department who are not attorneys to represent the department in District Court. The commissioner shall ensure that appropriate training is provided to all employees designated to represent the department under this subsection. [PL 1997, c. 466, §12 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]

2. Notice. The commissioner may serve notice upon a support obligor who is not in compliance with an order of support that informs the obligor of the commissioner's intention to certify the obligor to the Secretary of State as an individual who is not in compliance with an order of support. The notice must inform the obligor that: A. The obligor may contest the issue of compliance at an administrative hearing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. A request for hearing must be made in writing and must be received by the department within 20 days of service; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. If the obligor requests a hearing within 20 days of service, the department shall stay the action to certify the obligor to the Secretary of State for noncompliance with an order of support pending a decision after hearing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. If the obligor does not timely request a hearing to contest the issue of compliance and does not obtain a written confirmation of compliance from the department, the commissioner shall certify the obligor to the Secretary of State for noncompliance with an order of support; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. If the commissioner certifies the obligor to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State must suspend any motor vehicle operator's licenses that the obligor holds and the obligor's right to apply for or obtain a motor vehicle operator's license; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] F. If the obligor requests a hearing, the obligor shall direct the request to the department's support enforcement office that is responsible for handling the obligor's case; and [PL 2009, c. 158, §4 (AMD).] G. [PL 2009, c. 158, §5 (RP).] H. The obligor can comply with an order of support by: (1) Paying current support; (2) Paying all past-due support or, if unable to pay all past-due support and a periodic payment for past-due support has not been ordered by the court, by making periodic payments in accordance with a written payment agreement with the department; and (3) Meeting the obligor's health insurance obligation. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] The notice must include the address and telephone number of the department's support enforcement office that issues the notice and a statement of the need for the obligor to obtain a written confirmation of compliance from that office as provided in subsection 8. The department shall attach a copy of the obligor's order of support to the notice. The notice must be made in the manner provided for service of summons by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. For purposes of this subsection, this notice must be deemed to be an action pursuant to Chapter XIII of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. Personal service within the State of the notice described in this subsection may be made by an authorized representative of the commissioner. [PL 2009, c. 158, §§4, 5 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 290, §23 (AMD).]

3. Administrative hearing. An obligor may request an administrative hearing within 20 days of service of the notice described in subsection 2 . The request for hearing must be in writing and must be received by the department within 20 days. The department shall conduct the hearing in accordance with the requirements of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter IV . The issues that may be determined at hearing are limited to whether the obligor is required to pay child support under an order of support and whether the obligor is in compliance with an order of support, although the obligor may raise additional issues, including the reasonableness of a payment agreement in light of the obligor's current circumstances, to be preserved for appeal. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Decision after hearing. The department shall render a decision after hearing without undue delay as to whether the obligor is in compliance with the obligor's order of support. The decision must be based on the hearing record and rules adopted by the commissioner. The decision must inform the obligor that the obligor may file a petition for judicial review of the decision within 30 days of the date of the decision. The department shall send an attested copy of the decision to the obligor by regular mail to the obligor's most recent address of record. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Appeal to Superior Court. If the obligor appeals the department's decision under subsection 4, the Superior Court may hear and determine issues raised at the hearing, including the reasonableness of a payment agreement in light of the obligor's current circumstances. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Stay. If an obligor timely requests a hearing to contest the issue of compliance, the department may not certify the name of the obligor to the Secretary of State for noncompliance with an order of support until the department issues a decision after hearing that finds the obligor is not in compliance with an order of support. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Certification. The commissioner may certify in writing to the Secretary of State that a support obligor is not in compliance with an order of support if: A. The obligor does not timely request a hearing upon service of a notice issued under subsection 2 and is not in compliance with an order of support 21 days after service of the notice; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The department issues a decision after a hearing that finds the obligor is not in compliance with an order of support and the obligor has not appealed the decision within the 30-day appeal period provided in subsection 4 ; [PL 1997, c. 466, §13 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).] C. The court enters a judgment on a petition for judicial review that finds the obligor is not in compliance with a support order; [PL 1997, c. 466, §13 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).] D. The obligor abandons a timely request for a hearing on the department's notice of noncompliance and is not in compliance with the support order; or [PL 1997, c. 466, §14 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).] E. The obligor fails to comply with a written payment agreement, does not notify the department that the obligor is unable to comply with the agreement and does not provide the department with evidence of the obligor's current financial circumstances. [PL 1997, c. 466, §14 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).] The department shall send by regular mail a copy of a certification of noncompliance filed with the Secretary of State to the obligor at the obligor's most recent address of record. [PL 1997, c. 466, §§13, 14 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]

8. Written confirmation of compliance. When an obligor who is served notice under subsection 2 subsequently complies with the order of support, the department shall provide the obligor with written confirmation that the obligor is in compliance with the order of support. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

9. Rules. The department shall adopt rules to implement and enforce the requirements of this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

10. Agreement. The department may enter into an agreement with the Secretary of State to carry out the requirements of this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

11. Motion to modify court order of support; stay. This section does not prohibit a support obligor from filing a motion to modify support with the court or from requesting the department to amend a support obligation established by an administrative decision. [PL 2009, c. 158, §6 (AMD).]

12. Program review. In furtherance of the public policy of increasing collection of child support, the department shall report the following to the Legislature and the Governor on January 31, 1999 and biennially thereafter: A. The number of notices served upon support obligors by the department under this section; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The number of obligors served notice under this section who request a hearing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The number of hearings held under this section, the results of the hearings and the number of cases settled without a hearing; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. The number of support obligors certified to the Secretary of State for noncompliance with a court order of support under this section; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. The costs incurred in the implementation and enforcement of this section and the department's estimate of the amount of child support collected due to the department's actions under this section. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

13. Premium from noncustodial parents. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery shall collect a premium from noncustodial parents whose children are MaineCare members and who have legally been determined to be responsible for medical care contributions for these children. This subsection is repealed upon adoption of the final federal rules to implement the premium assistance provisions of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. [PL 2007, c. 448, §5 (AMD).]

13-A. Premium from noncustodial parents. The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery shall collect a premium from noncustodial parents whose children are MaineCare members, including those who receive assistance under Title 22, section 3174‑T , and from parents who have legally been determined to be responsible for medical care contributions for these children but do not have access to other health insurance that is at a reasonable cost and that is accessible and comprehensive as determined by rules adopted by the department. The department shall adopt rules to establish a sliding scale for premiums required under this section in accordance with the sliding scale that is applied by the department to custodial parents under 42 United States Code, Section 1396o‑1 (2007) or 42 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 457.560 (2006). Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as described in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . This subsection takes effect upon adoption of the final federal rules to implement the premium assistance provisions of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. [PL 2007, c. 448, §6 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3251 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3251
19-A §3251. Procedure to register child support order of another state for modification
Status: in_force

A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state shall register that order in this State in the same manner provided in sections 3150 to 3204 if the order has not been registered. A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later. The pleading must specify the grounds for modification. [PL 2009, c. 95, §74 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1891 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1891
19-A §1891. De facto parentage
Status: in_force

1. De facto parentage. The court may adjudicate a person to be a de facto parent. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Standing to seek de facto parentage. A person seeking to be adjudicated a de facto parent of a child under this subchapter must establish standing to maintain the action in accordance with the following. A. A person seeking to be adjudicated a de facto parent of a child shall file with the initial pleadings an affidavit alleging under oath specific facts to support the existence of a de facto parent relationship with the child as set forth in subsection 3 . The pleadings and affidavit must be served upon all parents and legal guardians of the child and any other party to the proceeding. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. An adverse party, parent or legal guardian who files a pleading in response to the pleadings in paragraph A shall also file an affidavit in response, serving all parties to the proceeding with a copy. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. The court shall determine on the basis of the pleadings and affidavits under paragraphs A and B whether the person seeking to be adjudicated a de facto parent has presented prima facie evidence of the requirements set forth in subsection 3 . The court may in its sole discretion, if necessary and on an expedited basis, hold a hearing to determine disputed facts that are necessary and material to the issue of standing. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. If the court's determination under paragraph C is in the affirmative, the party claiming de facto parentage has standing to proceed to adjudication under subsection 3 . [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Adjudication of de facto parent status. The court shall adjudicate a person to be a de facto parent if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the person has fully and completely undertaken a permanent, unequivocal, committed and responsible parental role in the child's life. Such a finding requires a determination by the court that: A. The person has resided with the child for a significant period of time; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. The person has engaged in consistent caretaking of the child; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] C. A bonded and dependent relationship has been established between the child and the person, the relationship was fostered or supported by another parent of the child and the person and the other parent have understood, acknowledged or accepted that or behaved as though the person is a parent of the child; [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] D. The person has accepted full and permanent responsibilities as a parent of the child without expectation of financial compensation; and [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] E. The continuing relationship between the person and the child is in the best interest of the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

4. Orders. The court may enter the following orders as appropriate. A. The court may enter an interim order concerning contact between a person with standing seeking adjudication under this subchapter as a de facto parent and the child. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] B. Adjudication of a person under this subchapter as a de facto parent establishes parentage, and the court shall determine parental rights and responsibilities in accordance with section 1653 . The court shall make appropriate orders for the financial support for the child in accordance with the child support guidelines under chapter 63 . An order requiring the payment of support to or from a de facto parent does not relieve any other parent of the obligation to pay child support unless otherwise ordered by a court. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

5. Other parents. The adjudication of a person under this subchapter as a de facto parent does not disestablish the parentage of any other parent. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2968 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2968
19-A §2968. Child support orders for 2 or more obligees
Status: in_force

In responding to registrations or petitions for enforcement of 2 or more child support orders in effect at the same time with regard to the same obligor and different individual obligees, at least one of which was issued by a tribunal of another state or a foreign country, a tribunal of this State shall enforce those orders in the same manner as if the orders had been issued by a tribunal of this State. [PL 2009, c. 95, §31 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1868 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1868
19-A §1868. Challenge to acknowledgment
Status: in_force

1. Challenge by signatory. After the period for rescission under section 1867 has expired, a signatory of an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage may commence a proceeding to challenge the acknowledgment or denial only: A. On the basis of fraud, duress, coercion, threat of harm or material mistake of fact; and [PL 2021, c. 141, §13 (AMD).] B. Within 2 years after the acknowledgment or denial is filed with the State Registrar of Vital Statistics. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).] [PL 2021, c. 141, §13 (AMD).]

2. Challenge by person not a signatory. If an acknowledgment of parentage has been made in accordance with this subchapter, a person who is neither the child nor a signatory to the acknowledgment of parentage and who seeks to challenge the validity of the acknowledgment and adjudicate parentage must commence a proceeding not later than 2 years after the effective date of the acknowledgment, as provided in section 1864 , unless the person did not know and could not reasonably have known of the person's potential parentage on account of material misrepresentation or concealment, in which case the proceeding must be commenced no later than 2 years after discovery. [PL 2021, c. 141, §13 (AMD).]

3. Burden of proof. A party challenging an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage pursuant to this section has the burden of proof. [PL 2021, c. 141, §13 (AMD).]

4. Consolidation. A court proceeding in which the validity of an acknowledgment of parentage is challenged may be consolidated with any other pending court actions regarding the child. [PL 2021, c. 141, §13 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1837 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 61 / Section 1837
19-A §1837. Personal jurisdiction
Status: in_force

1. Personal jurisdiction. An individual may not be adjudicated to be a parent unless the court has personal jurisdiction over the individual. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

2. Personal jurisdiction over nonresident. A court of this State having jurisdiction to adjudicate parentage may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident individual, or the guardian or conservator of the individual, if the conditions prescribed in section 2961 are fulfilled. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

3. Adjudication. Lack of jurisdiction over one individual does not preclude the court from making an adjudication of parentage binding on another individual over whom the court has personal jurisdiction. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 4116 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 4 / Chapter 103 / Section 4116
19-A §4116. Certification of domestic violence intervention programs
Status: in_force

1. Rules establishing standards and procedures for certification. The Department of Corrections, referred to in this section as "the department," shall adopt rules pursuant to the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, in consultation with the Maine Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse, as established by Title 5, section 12004‑I, subsection 74‑C , that establish standards and procedures for certification of domestic violence intervention programs. The department, in consultation with the commission, shall review and certify programs that meet the standards. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

2. Information sharing with certified domestic violence intervention programs. In a criminal proceeding that results in the issuance of a court order that directs a person to complete a certified domestic violence intervention program, within 7 days of the issuance of the order the attorney for the State shall provide to the certified domestic violence intervention program in which the person has enrolled or will enroll: A. The incident report from a law enforcement agency submitted to the attorney for the State that is most relevant to the criminal proceeding, which the certified domestic violence intervention program is authorized to receive pursuant to Title 16, section 805‑A, subsection 1, paragraph E ; and [PL 2023, c. 235, §5 (AMD).] B. The last known contact information for the victim in the criminal proceeding. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] [PL 2023, c. 235, §5 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 806 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 2 / Chapter 25 / Section 806
19-A §806. Proceedings between husband and wife
Status: in_force

1. Civil action against spouse. A wife may bring a civil action against her husband for the recovery, conveyance, transfer, payment or delivery to her of any property, real or personal or both, exceeding $100 in value, standing in his name, or to which he has legal title, or that is in his possession or under his control, that in equity and good conscience belongs to her and that he neglects or refuses to convey, transfer, pay over or deliver to her, and upon proper proof may maintain this action. A husband has the same right to bring and maintain a civil action against his wife for the same purposes, subject to the same limitations. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

2. Marriage not a bar; costs. Marriage is not a bar to the maintenance of a civil action by a wife against her husband or by a husband against his wife brought for the purposes in subsection 1 . Costs may not be awarded against either party in these proceedings. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Defrauding creditors; dismissal of action. If it satisfactorily appears to the court on hearing that the party bringing the action has conveyed or transferred any of that party's property, real or personal, to the other party to the action for the purpose of cheating, defrauding, hindering or delaying that party's creditors, the action must be dismissed. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

4. Appeal. An appeal from any final judgment under this section may be taken to the law court as in other civil actions. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. No survival of rights. There is no survival of the right to institute proceedings under this section, and if a wife or husband dies after the commencement of proceedings under this section and before the final determination and disposition of the proceedings, these proceedings must abate. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 4102 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 4 / Chapter 103 / Section 4102
19-A §4102. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

1. Abuse. "Abuse" means the occurrence of the following acts: A. Attempting to cause or causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact, including sexual assaults under Title 17‑A, chapter 11 , except that contact as described in Title 17‑A, section 106, subsection 1 is excluded from this definition; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] B. Attempting to place or placing another in fear of bodily injury through any course of conduct, including, but not limited to, threatening, harassing or tormenting behavior. When the course of conduct violates this paragraph based on the content of the actor's speech, the actor must have consciously disregarded a substantial risk that the speech would place a reasonable person in fear of bodily injury; [PL 2023, c. 519, §4 (AMD).] C. Compelling a person by force, threat of force, coercion or intimidation: (1) To engage in conduct from which the person has a right or privilege to abstain; or (2) To abstain from conduct in which the person has a right to engage; [PL 2025, c. 379, §1 (AMD).] D. Knowingly restricting substantially the movements of another person without that person's consent or other lawful authority by: (1) Removing that person from that person's residence, place of business or school; (2) Moving that person a substantial distance from the vicinity where that person was found; or (3) Confining that person for a substantial period either in the place where the restriction commences or in a place to which that person has been moved; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] E. Communicating to a person a threat to commit, or to cause to be committed, a crime of violence dangerous to human life against the person to whom the communication is made or another, with conscious disregard of a substantial risk that the natural and probable consequence of the threat, whether or not that consequence in fact occurs, is to place the person to whom the threat is communicated, or the person against whom the threat is made, in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed; [PL 2023, c. 519, §5 (AMD).] F. Repeatedly and without reasonable cause: (1) Following the plaintiff; or (2) Being at or in the vicinity of the plaintiff's home, school, business or place of employment; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] G. Engaging in the unauthorized dissemination of certain private images as prohibited pursuant to Title 17‑A, section 511‑A ; [PL 2025, c. 400, §4 (AMD).] H. Engaging in aggravated sex trafficking or sex trafficking as described in Title 17‑A, section 852 or 853 , respectively; or [PL 2025, c. 400, §5 (AMD).] I. Communicating to a person a threat to commit, or to cause to be committed, a crime of unauthorized dissemination of certain private images as described in Title 17‑A, section 511‑A , consciously disregarding a substantial risk that the natural and probable consequence of such a threat is to place the person who is depicted or who appears to be depicted in the image in reasonable fear that the crime will be committed. [PL 2025, c. 400, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 379, §1 (AMD); PL 2025, c. 400, §§4-6 (AMD).]

2. Adult. "Adult" means a person 18 years of age or older or a person under 18 years of age who is emancipated pursuant to Title 15, section 3506‑A . [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

3. Court. "Court" means a District Court and, with regard to section 4113 , the tribal court of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

4. Dating partners. "Dating partners" means individuals currently or formerly involved in dating each other, whether or not the individuals are or were sexual partners. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

5. Economic abuse. "Economic abuse" means causing or attempting to cause an individual to be financially dependent by maintaining control over the individual's financial resources, including, but not limited to, unauthorized or coerced use of credit or property, withholding access to money or credit cards, forbidding attendance at school or employment, stealing from or defrauding an individual of money or assets, exploiting the individual's resources for personal gain of the defendant or withholding physical resources such as food, clothing, necessary medications or shelter. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

6. Family or household members. "Family or household members" means: A. Present or former spouses or domestic partners; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] B. Individuals presently or formerly living together as spouses; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] C. Parents of the same child; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] D. Adult household members related by consanguinity or affinity; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] E. Minor children of a parent or guardian when the defendant is an adult household member of that parent or guardian; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] F. Individuals presently or formerly living together; and [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] G. Individuals who are or were sexual partners. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] Holding oneself out to be a spouse is not necessary to constitute "living together as spouses." For purposes of this subsection, "domestic partners" means 2 unmarried adults who are domiciled together under long-term arrangements that evidence a commitment to remain responsible indefinitely for each other's welfare. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

7. Law enforcement agency. "Law enforcement agency" means a state, county, tribal, municipal or University of Maine System law enforcement agency. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]

7-A. Military protective order. "Military protective order" has the same meaning as in Title 5, section 4651, subsection 3‑A . [PL 2025, c. 90, §3 (NEW).]

8. Order. "Order" means: A. A temporary, emergency or interim order issued under this chapter; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] B. A final protection order issued under this chapter after hearing or opportunity for hearing or with consent of the parties; [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).] C. An order of a tribal court of the Passamaquoddy Tribe or the Penobscot Nation; [PL 2025, c. 90, §4 (AMD).] D. A similar order issued by a court of the United States or of another state, territory, commonwealth or federally recognized Indian tribe; or [PL 2025, c. 90, §5 (AMD).] E. A military protective order. [PL 2025, c. 90, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 90, §§4-6 (AMD).]

9. Social media. "Social media" means an electronic medium or service through which users create, share and view user-generated content, including, but not limited to, videos, still photographs, blogs, video blogs, podcasts, instant and text messages, e-mail, online service accounts and Internet website profiles and locations. [PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. A, §3 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 647, Pt. B, §65 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1654 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 55 / Section 1654
19-A §1654. Parenting and support when parents live apart
Status: in_force

If the parents of a minor child are living apart, the Probate Court or District Court in the county or division where either resides, upon complaint of either and after notice to the other as the court may order, may make an order awarding parental rights and responsibilities with respect to the child in accordance with this chapter. [PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. C, §18 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]

The jurisdiction granted by this section is limited by the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, if another state may have jurisdiction as provided in that Act. [PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. B, §7 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1735 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1735
19-A §1735. International application of chapter
Status: in_force

1. Foreign country treated as a state. A court of this State shall treat a foreign country as if it were a state of the United States for the purpose of applying this subchapter and subchapter II . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Recognition and enforcement of foreign determination. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 , a child custody determination made in a foreign country under factual circumstances in substantial conformity with the jurisdictional standards of this chapter must be recognized and enforced under subchapter III . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Application not required. A court of this State need not apply this chapter if the child custody law of a foreign country violates fundamental principles of human rights. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1766 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1766
19-A §1766. Enforcement of registered determination
Status: in_force

1. Any relief normally available. A court of this State may grant any relief normally available under the law of this State to enforce a registered child custody determination made by a court of another state. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Recognition and enforcement without modification. A court of this State shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in accordance with subchapter II , a registered child custody determination of a court of another state. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2666 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2666
19-A §2666. Spousal support
Status: in_force

Awards for spousal support are subject to immediate income withholding under this subchapter if the award is for a period during which child support is awarded. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1750 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 58 / Section 1750
19-A §1750. Simultaneous proceedings
Status: in_force

1. Pending proceeding in another state. Except as otherwise provided in section 1748 , a court of this State may not exercise its jurisdiction under this subchapter if, at the time of the commencement of the proceeding, a proceeding concerning the custody of the child has been commenced in a court of another state having jurisdiction substantially in conformity with this chapter, unless the proceeding has been terminated or is stayed by the court of the other state because a court of this State is a more convenient forum under section 1751 . [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

2. Examination of documents; communication with court. Except as otherwise provided in section 1748 , a court of this State, before hearing a child custody proceeding, shall examine the court documents and other information supplied by the parties pursuant to section 1753 . If the court determines that a child custody proceeding has been commenced in a court in another state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter, the court of this State shall stay its proceeding and communicate with the court of the other state. If the court of the state having jurisdiction substantially in accordance with this chapter does not determine that the court of this State is a more appropriate forum, the court of this State shall dismiss the proceeding. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]

3. Modification proceeding; enforcement proceeding in another state. In a proceeding to modify a child custody determination, a court of this State shall determine whether a proceeding to enforce the determination has been commenced in another state. If a proceeding to enforce a child custody determination has been commenced in another state, the court may: A. Stay the proceeding for modification pending the entry of an order of a court of the other state enforcing, staying, denying or dismissing the proceeding for enforcement; [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] B. Enjoin the parties from continuing with the proceeding for enforcement; or [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] C. Proceed with the modification under conditions it considers appropriate. [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).] [PL 1999, c. 486, §3 (NEW); PL 1999, c. 486, §6 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2674 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2674
19-A §2674. Maximum amount permitted to be withheld
Status: in_force

The maximum amount permitted to be withheld from the obligor's income must be determined in accordance with section 2356 . [PL 2009, c. 290, §35 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2962 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 2962
19-A §2962. Duration of personal jurisdiction
Status: in_force

Personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this State in a proceeding under this chapter or other law of this State relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this State has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order as provided by sections 2965 , 2966 and 2971 . [PL 2003, c. 436, §10 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2201-A — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2201-A
19-A §2201-A. Notice to licensing boards and obligor; judicial review; Penobscot Nation; Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Board" means any bureau, board or commission listed in Title 10, section 8001 or 8001‑A , any other licensor that is affiliated with or is a part of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation and the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] B. "Support obligor" or "obligor" means an individual who owes a duty of support and over whom the Penobscot Nation and the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court have jurisdiction or over whom the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the Maliseet Tribal Court have jurisdiction. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] C. "Support order" or "order of support" means a judgment, decree or order, whether temporary, final or subject to modification, issued by the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court for the support and maintenance of a child or a child and the parent with whom the child is living that provides for monetary support, health care, arrearages or reimbursement and may include related costs and fees, interest and penalties, income withholding, attorney's fees and other relief. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

2. Notice. The Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may serve notice upon a support obligor who is not in compliance with an order of support that informs the obligor of the Penobscot Nation's or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians' intention to submit the obligor's name to the appropriate board as a licensee who is not in compliance with an order of support. The notice must inform the obligor that: A. The obligor may request a court hearing in the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court to contest the issue of compliance; [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] B. A request for hearing must be made in writing and must be received by the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court within 20 days of service; [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] C. If the obligor requests a hearing within 20 days of service, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will stay the action to certify the obligor to a board for noncompliance with an order of support pending a hearing; [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] D. If the obligor does not request a hearing within 20 days of service and is not in compliance with an order of support, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will certify the obligor to the appropriate board for noncompliance with an order of support; [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] E. If the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians certifies the obligor to a board for noncompliance with an order of support, the board must revoke the obligor's license and refuse to issue or reissue a license until the obligor provides the board with a written confirmation of compliance from the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians that states the obligor is in compliance with the obligor's order of support. The notice must state that revocation by a board or a refusal to reissue, renew or otherwise extend the license or certificate of authority is deemed a final determination within the meaning of Title 5, section 10002 ; and [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] F. The obligor can comply with an order of support by: (1) Paying current support; (2) Paying all past-due support or, if unable to pay all past-due support and a periodic payment for past-due support has not been ordered by the court, by making periodic payments in accordance with a written payment agreement with the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians; and (3) Meeting the obligor's health insurance obligation, if applicable. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] The notice must include the address and telephone number of the Penobscot Nation's or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians' support enforcement office that issues the notice and a statement of the need to obtain a written confirmation of compliance from that office as provided in subsection 10 . The Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall attach a copy of the obligor's order of support to the notice. Service of the notice must be made in the manner provided for service of summons by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. For purposes of this subsection, support enforcement action must be deemed to be an action pursuant to Chapter XIII of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

3. Written agreement to pay past-due support. An obligor who is presently unable to pay all past-due support may come into compliance with the support order by executing a written payment agreement with the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and by complying with that agreement. A condition of a written payment agreement must be that the obligor pay the current support when due. Before a written payment agreement is executed, the obligor shall: A. Disclose fully to the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in writing on a form prescribed by the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians the obligor's financial circumstances, including income from all sources, assets, liabilities and work history for the past year; and [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] B. Provide documentation to the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians concerning the obligor's financial circumstances, including copies of the most recent state and federal income tax returns, both personal and business, a copy of a recent pay stub representative of current income and copies of other records that show the obligor's income and the present value of assets held by the obligor. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] After full financial disclosure under this subsection, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall determine the obligor's ability to pay past-due support and request the obligor to execute a written payment agreement consistent with the obligor's ability to pay, not to exceed the limits on income withholding in section 2356 . [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

4. Failure to comply with written agreement. Failure to comply with a written payment agreement described in subsection 3 is grounds for license revocation unless the obligor notifies the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians that the obligor is unable to comply with the agreement and provides the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians with evidence of the obligor's current financial circumstances to support the claim. The consequences of failing to comply with a written payment agreement and the requirements to avoid license revocation, if the obligor cannot comply with the agreement, must be stated in the agreement. If the obligor claims inability to comply with a written payment agreement, the Penobscot Nation, upon motion to the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court, or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, upon motion to the Maliseet Tribal Court, may request the tribal court to determine the obligor's ability to pay past-due support. After notice and an opportunity for hearing, the tribal court may make a finding of money due and render judgment in that amount. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

5. Hearing. An obligor may request a hearing in the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court upon service of the notice described in subsection 2 . The request for hearing must be made in writing and must be received by the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court within 20 days of service. The issues that may be determined at hearing are whether the obligor is required to pay support under an order of support and whether the obligor is in compliance with an order of support. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

6. Order. The Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court shall issue an order after hearing without undue delay as to whether the obligor is in compliance with the obligor's order of support. The order must be based on the hearing record. The Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court shall send an attested copy of the order to the obligor by regular mail to the obligor's most recent address of record. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

7. Stay. If an obligor timely requests a hearing to contest the issue of compliance, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may not certify the name of the obligor to a board for noncompliance with an order of support until the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court issues an order after hearing that finds the obligor is not in compliance with an order of support. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

8. Certification of noncompliance. The Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians may certify in writing to the appropriate board that a support obligor is not in compliance with an order of support if: A. The obligor does not timely request a hearing upon service of a notice issued under subsection 2 and is not in compliance with an order of support 21 days after service of the notice; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] B. The Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court issues a nonappealable, final judgment that the obligor is not in compliance with an order of support; [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] C. The obligor abandons a timely request for a hearing on the Penobscot Nation's or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians' notice of noncompliance and is not in compliance with the support order; or [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] D. The obligor fails to comply with a written payment agreement described in subsection 3 , does not notify the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians that the obligor is unable to comply with the agreement and does not provide the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians with evidence of the obligor's current financial circumstances. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).] The Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall send by regular mail a copy of a certification of noncompliance filed with a board to the obligor at the obligor's most recent address of record. The certification of noncompliance is prima facie evidence that the obligor is required to pay support under an order of support and is not in compliance with that order of support. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

9. Notice from board. A board shall notify an obligor certified by the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians under subsection 8 , without undue delay, that the obligor's application for the issuance or renewal of a license may not be granted or that the obligor's license has been revoked because the obligor's name has been certified by the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians as a support obligor who is not in compliance with an order of support. The notice constitutes final agency action for the purposes of judicial review under Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7 . Notwithstanding Title 5, section 11006 , the Superior Court may supplement the record, including records of any proceedings before the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians that resulted in the certification under subsection 8 . [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

10. Written confirmation of compliance. When an obligor who is served notice under subsection 2 subsequently complies with the official order of support, the Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians shall provide the obligor with written confirmation that the obligor is in compliance with the order of support. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

11. Agreements. The Penobscot Nation or the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the various boards may enter into agreements that are necessary to carry out the requirements of this section. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

12. Motion to modify order of support; stay. This section does not prohibit a support obligor from filing a motion to modify support with the Penobscot Nation Tribal Court or the Maliseet Tribal Court. [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

13. Reporting. As soon as economically feasible and at least annually, all boards subject to this section and the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Division of Administrative Services shall provide to the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians specified information in machine-readable or electronic form, according to standards established by the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, about applicants for licensure and all current licensees. The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Securities shall provide the specified information for only those current licensees who are residents of this State. The information to be provided must include all of the following information about the licensee: A. Name; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] B. Address of record; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] C. Federal employer identification number or social security number; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] D. Type of license; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] E. Effective date of license or renewal; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] F. Expiration date of license; and [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] G. Active or inactive status. [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

14. Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife report. The Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall provide annually to the Penobscot Nation and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians in machine-readable or electronic form watercraft, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle registration information concerning obligors who are residents of this State. The information to be provided must include all of the following information about the registrant: A. Name; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] B. Address of record; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] C. Make, model and identification number for each watercraft registered under Title 12, section 13052 ; each snowmobile registered under Title 12, section 13104 ; and each all-terrain vehicle registered under Title 12, section 13155 ; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] D. Type of registration; [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] E. Effective date of registration or registration renewal; and [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] F. Expiration of registration. [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 303, §1 (AMD).]

15. Subsequent reissuance, renewal or other extension of license or certificate. A board may reissue, renew or otherwise extend the license or certificate of authority of the obligor in accordance with the board's rules after the board receives a copy of the written confirmation of compliance specified in subsection 10 . A board may waive any applicable requirement for reissuance, renewal or other extension if it determines that the imposition of that requirement places an undue burden on the obligor and that waiver of the requirement is consistent with the public interest. [PL 2021, c. 300, §1 (NEW).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2009 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 63 / Section 2009
19-A §2009. Modification of existing support orders
Status: in_force

1. Motion to modify support. A party, including the department, may file a motion to modify support. The commissioner may designate employees of the department who are not attorneys to represent the department in court proceedings to hear a motion to modify support filed by the department or any other party. Unless a party also files a motion to amend the divorce judgment, a petition to amend under section 1653, subsection 10 or a motion for judicial review under Title 22, section 4038 , the child support obligation is the sole issue to be determined by the court on a motion to modify support. The court, in its discretion, may bifurcate the support issue from other issues presented by the party's pleadings. [PL 2005, c. 352, §6 (AMD).]

1-A. Motion to modify by department. When a parent receives public assistance for the benefit of a dependent child, the department may file a motion to modify support regardless of whether the parent has been allocated the primary residential care of the dependent child pursuant to chapter 55 . [PL 2009, c. 290, §17 (NEW).]

2. Retroactive. Child support orders may be modified retroactively but only from the date that notice of a petition for modification has been served upon the opposing party, pursuant to the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Substantial change of circumstances because of variance. If a child support order varies more than 15% from a parental support obligation determined under section 2006 , the court or hearing officer shall consider the variation a substantial change of circumstances and if it has been less than 3 years since the order was issued or modified, the court or hearing officer shall modify the order according to the child support guidelines under chapter 63 . If it has been 3 years or longer since the order was issued or modified, the court or hearing officer shall review the order without requiring proof or showing of a change of circumstances and shall modify the order if the amount of the child support award under the order differs from the amount that would be awarded under the guidelines. If a child support order was established under section 2007 , a 15% variation between the amount of the order and the parental support obligation determined under section 2006 does not constitute a substantial change of circumstances. [PL 1997, c. 537, §24 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).]

4. Service. [PL 2009, c. 290, §18 (RP).]

4-A. Service. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, service of a motion to modify support must be made in the manner provided for service of summons by the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 4. For the purpose of this subsection, this service must be deemed to be an action pursuant to Chapter XIII of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. When the department is providing child support services, personal service within the State of a motion to modify support may be made by authorized representatives of the commissioner. Service of the motion must be accompanied by: A. A notice that the court may enter an order without hearing if the party does not request a hearing; [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).] B. A notice of the right to request a hearing; [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).] C. A notice of the requirement of mediation prior to a hearing; [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).] D. The income affidavit of the moving party or the party receiving the assistance of the department, as well as the responding party's affidavit, if available; [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).] E. A proposed order, incorporating the child support worksheet; and [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).] F. Any stipulation entered into by the parties. [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 290, §19 (NEW).]

5. Request for hearing. A request for hearing must be made in writing within 30 days of receipt of service and be accompanied by the requesting party's income affidavit and child support worksheet. If a party requests a hearing, the matter must be referred for mediation prior to trial. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Order without hearing. If a party does not request a hearing within 30 days after service, the court may enter an order modifying support without hearing using the proposed order, as long as the proposed modified support obligation is equal to or greater than the obligation resulting from the application of section 2005 . If a downward deviation is proposed, the court shall hold a hearing prior to entering an order. The court may apply the presumptions set out in section 2004, subsection 1, paragraph D . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Motion to set aside. An order entered without hearing pursuant to this section may not be set aside except on motion in which the moving party demonstrates good cause for the failure to request a hearing and a meritorious defense to the proposed order. The Chief Justice may establish costs to be paid by a party moving to set aside an order modifying child support after an order has been entered following that party's failure to file a timely written response. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

8. Motions by department. When the department provides child support enforcement services, the commissioner may designate employees of the department who are not attorneys to prepare motions under this section, to file those motions in District Court and to represent the department in court if a hearing is held. The commissioner shall ensure that appropriate training is provided to all employees who are designated to represent the department under this section. [PL 1997, c. 466, §4 (NEW); PL 1997, c. 466, §28 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3252 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3252
19-A §3252. Effect of registration for modification
Status: in_force

A tribunal of this State may enforce a child support order of another state registered for purposes of modification in the same manner as if the order had been issued by a tribunal of this State, but the registered support order may be modified only if the requirements of section 3253 or 3255 have been met. [PL 2009, c. 95, §75 (AMD); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2306 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2306
19-A §2306. Immediate withholding of earnings
Status: in_force

1. Withholding order. A decision establishing or modifying a child support obligation under section 2304 must conform with this subsection. A. The decision must provide for the withholding of amounts payable as child support, effective from the date of the decision, from the responsible parent's earnings, regardless of whether support payments by the responsible parent are in arrears. The withholding order must: (1) Specify the amount of earnings to be withheld. The amount must include $2 per week in addition to the amount to be withheld for child support; (2) Specify the support enforcement case number; and (3) Direct that, upon receipt of a copy of the withholding order, a payor of earnings to the responsible parent shall: (a) Immediately begin to withhold those earnings when earnings are usually paid to the responsible parent; and (b) Send each amount of earnings withheld to the department at the address set forth in the withholding order within 7 business days after each withholding of earnings. [PL 1997, c. 669, §5 (AMD).] B. This subsection does not apply if: (1) A party demonstrates and the hearing officer finds that there is good cause not to require immediate withholding under this section; or (2) A written agreement between the parties providing an alternative arrangement is filed with the hearing officer. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 669, §5 (AMD).]

2. Priority of order. Notwithstanding any other law, a withholding order under this section has priority over any previously filed attachment, execution, garnishment or assignment of earnings that is not made for the purpose of enforcing or paying a child support obligation. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

3. Obligations of payor of earnings. This subsection governs the obligations of a payor of earnings under this section. A. Upon receipt of a copy of a withholding order, a payor of earnings to the responsible parent shall: (1) Immediately begin to withhold earnings of the responsible parent when earnings are usually paid to the responsible parent; and (2) Send each amount of earnings withheld to the department at the address set forth in the withholding order within 7 business days after each withholding. [PL 1997, c. 537, §41 (AMD); PL 1997, c. 537, §62 (AFF).] B. The payor shall include with all remittances of withheld earnings the responsible parent's support enforcement case number set forth in the withholding order. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The payor may combine amounts withheld for transmittal to the department from more than one responsible parent if the portion attributable to each responsible parent is separately designated, except that the payor may not combine amounts if that action would result in a responsible parent's withheld earnings being sent to the department more than 7 business days from the withholding date. [PL 1997, c. 669, §6 (AMD).] D. The balance of earnings due the responsible parent must be paid to the responsible parent on the day that the responsible parent is usually paid. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 669, §6 (AMD).]

4. Duration of order. A withholding order is binding upon the payor of earnings to the responsible parent until: A. The order is superseded by another withholding order issued by the department under this subchapter; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The decision establishing the support obligation is superseded by a court order; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The payor has been released from the withholding order in writing by the department; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. The child: (1) If not attending secondary school, as defined in Title 20-A, section 1 , becomes 18 years of age; or (2) If attending secondary school, as defined in Title 20-A, section 1 : (a) Graduates, withdraws or is expelled from secondary school; or (b) Becomes 19 years of age; or [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] E. The child is emancipated or adopted. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

5. Payor to be held harmless. A payor of earnings to the responsible parent who honors a withholding order under this section is discharged from any liability or obligation to the responsible parent for earnings withheld in compliance with the order. The department shall defend and hold harmless a payor for honoring the order. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

6. Notice of termination of payor-payee relationship. When the relationship between the payor of earnings and the responsible parent that provides for the payment of earnings to the responsible parent, whether the relationship is that of employer and employee or any other, is terminated, the payor shall, within 15 days of the termination, send the department a written notice of the termination. The notice must include: A. The responsible parent's name, last known address and social security number; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. The support enforcement case number; [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] C. The date of termination of the relationship of payor and payee; and [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. If known, the name and address of any new or other payor of earnings to the responsible parent. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

7. Liability of payor; violations. A payor is liable, after service of the withholding order, for any earnings the payor fails to withhold and send to the department within 7 business days of the day the payee is usually paid. The department may maintain an action against the payor for the earnings the payor did not withhold and send to the department or for the imposition of any of the following civil penalties, or both, plus attorney's fees and court costs. A. A payor who knowingly fails to withhold earnings on the day earnings are usually paid to the responsible parent commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $100 may be adjudged for each failure to withhold. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] B. A payor who knowingly fails to send withheld earnings to the department within 7 business days of the withholding commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $100 may be adjudged for each failure to timely send withheld earnings. [PL 1997, c. 669, §7 (AMD).] C. A payor who knowingly fails to send the notification required by subsection 6 commits a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not more than $100 may be adjudged. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] D. A payor who discharges from employment or refuses to employ a responsible parent, or who takes disciplinary action against a responsible parent employed by the payor, or who otherwise discriminates against the responsible parent because of the existence of the withholding order or the obligations imposed upon the payor by the order, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000, payable to the State, to be recovered in a civil action. The payor is also subject to an action by the responsible parent for compensatory and punitive damages for those actions, plus attorney's fees and court costs. [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).] [PL 1997, c. 669, §7 (AMD).]

8. Other remedies. A withholding order under this section does not bar any judicial or administrative enforcement or collection action otherwise available under federal or state law regarding child or spousal support arrearages or a debt for public assistance under section 2301 . [PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); PL 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 3052 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 67 / Section 3052
19-A §3052. Proceeding to determine parentage
Status: in_force

A tribunal of this State authorized to determine parentage of a child may serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child brought under this chapter or a law or procedure substantially similar to this chapter. [PL 2009, c. 95, §56 (NEW); PL 2009, c. 95, §87 (AFF).]
19-A M.R.S. § 2302 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 65 / Section 2302
19-A §2302. Support obligations when obligor receives public assistance
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Assisted obligor" means an obligor under a court or administrative child support order who receives: (1) Supplemental security income; or (2) Public assistance for the benefit of a child of that obligor. [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] B. "Order" means a court or administrative child support order in existence at the time an obligor becomes an assisted obligor. [PL 2011, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] C. "Public assistance" has the same meaning as set forth in section 2101, subsection 11 , except that it does not include medical care only. [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).]

2. Child support obligation during period that obligor is assisted obligor. For the period during which an obligor is an assisted obligor and for 2 weeks thereafter, the assisted obligor's child support obligation is automatically suspended. At the end of the 2 weeks, the obligor's child support obligation resumes automatically at the same level at which it was suspended unless modified by an order entered pursuant to subsection 3 . A debt previously incurred under section 2301 may not be collected from a responsible parent while that parent is an assisted obligor, except that such a debt may be collected from nonrecurring lump sum income, as defined in Title 22, section 3762, subsection 11, paragraph A , of a responsible parent while that parent is an assisted obligor. [PL 2011, c. 550, §1 (AMD).]

3. Obligee's opportunity for modification. The obligee may seek to modify the effect of subsection 2 by filing a petition for modification with the court or the department, whichever issued the affected order. The court or administrative hearing officer may, by order after hearing, modify the effect of subsection 2 . The court or administrative hearing officer, in determining whether to make such a modification, shall consider the suspension in subsection 2 and the child support guidelines under chapter 63 . For purposes of the hearing, a substantial change in circumstances is deemed to have occurred. [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).]

4. Department notification responsibilities. As soon as practicable after the department knows that an obligor has become an assisted obligor, the department shall send notices to the obligor and obligee notifying them of: A. The obligor's status as an assisted obligor; [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] B. The existence of the suspension in subsection 2 ; [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] C. The obligee's opportunity to contest the suspension by seeking a modification as set forth in subsection 3 ; and [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] D. The location where forms for modification proceedings can be obtained. [PL 2001, c. 255, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2015, c. 186, §4 (AMD).]
19-A M.R.S. § 1615 — ME Code / Title 19-A / Part 3 / Chapter 53 / Section 1615
19-A §1615. Representation of department
Status: in_force

The commissioner may designate employees of the department who are not attorneys to file the record of proceedings commenced under this subchapter in District Court and to represent the department in court in both those proceedings and proceedings filed by other parties. The commissioner shall ensure that appropriate training is provided to all employees designated to represent the department under this subchapter. [PL 2005, c. 352, §2 (AMD).] Revisor's Note: §1615. Voluntary acknowledgment of paternity (As enacted by PL 1997, c. 537, §21 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 19-A, SECTION 1616)