Estimate Your Maine Child Support in Minutes
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Maine Family Code in under a minute.
Maine Child Support Calculator
Estimate based on a Maine-style income shares heuristic (not the official Maine worksheet/table).
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Results may differ based on the Maine child support worksheet and judicial findings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Child Support in Maine
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in Maine.
Maine calculates child support using the Maine Child Support Guidelines, which follow an income shares model. The formula is based on:
Both parents’ gross incomes
The number of children
The Maine Schedule of Basic Support Obligations
Health insurance premiums for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Certain allowable deductions (such as pre-existing support obligations)
Other court-approved adjustments
Maine uses standardized child support worksheets and a published support schedule to determine the presumptive support amount. The goal is to reflect what parents would have contributed to the child if living together.
For an estimate tailored to your situation, you can use the Deliberately.ai child support calculator above—but only a court order is legally binding.
Child support in Maine is influenced by:
Each parent’s gross income
The number of children
Health insurance costs for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Existing child support obligations for other children
Shared residential arrangements
Court-approved deviations
Cases involving self-employment income, fluctuating earnings, or complex parenting schedules may require additional financial documentation and analysis.
There is no universal amount. The final figure depends on:
Both parents’ financial information
Health insurance and childcare allocations
Any approved deviations
For a reliable estimate before filing or negotiating, use the Deliberately.ai calculator above—keeping in mind the court has final authority.
In most cases, child support ends when the child:
Turns 18, or
Turns 19 if still enrolled in secondary school
The specific termination language in your court order controls.
Not necessarily automatically.
You should review your court order
Wage withholding may continue unless properly terminated
Arrears remain owed even after the support obligation ends
It is important to confirm termination procedures through the court before stopping payments.
Yes. A child support order may be modified when:
There has been a substantial change in circumstances
Income has significantly increased or decreased
The existing order differs substantially from the guideline amount
Parenting time arrangements have changed
Modifications generally apply prospectively from the date the motion is filed—not retroactively to previously owed support.
Timeframes depend on:
Whether the case is uncontested
Court scheduling in your county
Whether income or parenting time is disputed
The complexity of financial documentation
Uncontested cases may resolve within a few months; contested cases may take longer.
Maine child support is intended to help cover:
Housing
Food
Clothing
Transportation
Basic daily living expenses
Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare expenses are typically included in the worksheet calculation.
It can—but only if:
The expenses are included in the official child support worksheet
The court order specifically accounts for them
Paying medical expenses outside the order does not automatically reduce your obligation.
Maine generally considers gross income, which may include:
Wages and salary
Bonuses and commissions
Overtime
Self-employment income
Rental income
Unemployment benefits
Disability benefits
Other recurring income sources
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on earning capacity.
Failure to pay child support may result in enforcement actions such as:
Wage withholding
Tax refund interception
Driver’s license suspension
Professional license suspension
Property liens
Contempt proceedings
Enforcement efforts may intensify as arrears accumulate.
Arrears:
Remain owed until paid in full
Do not disappear when the child reaches termination age
May be collected through enforcement tools
May accrue interest under Maine law
Unpaid support cannot be waived without court approval.
In serious cases of willful nonpayment, courts may initiate contempt proceedings. Consequences may include:
Fines
Payment plans
Possible jail time
If you are facing enforcement or contempt, seeking legal guidance early is strongly recommended.
Yes. Common enforcement tools include:
Automatic income withholding
Bank account levies
Tax intercepts
Property liens
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) has authority to enforce unpaid support.
Not automatically.
Maine recognizes shared residential arrangements
Parenting time may affect the calculation
Income differences remain a primary factor
Even in shared custody situations, support may still be owed.
Possibly.
Support may continue until age 19 if the child is still in high school
Support for a child with qualifying disabilities may extend beyond age 18
College support is not automatic and typically requires agreement or court findings
Parents cannot privately override a court order.
Child support is considered the right of the child
Any modification must be approved by the court
Private agreements without court approval may not be enforceable
A lawyer is not required for straightforward cases. However, legal representation is strongly recommended when:
Income is disputed
Self-employment is involved
Arrears exist
A deviation from guidelines is requested
Parenting arrangements are contested
You will typically need:
Recent pay stubs
Federal and state tax returns
Proof of health insurance costs
Childcare documentation
Existing court orders
Incomplete financial documentation is one of the most common causes of delay.
Child support cases are handled through Maine district courts. Families may also work with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) for establishment and enforcement services.
If income, parenting time, or expenses are likely to be contested, consulting an experienced Maine family lawyer before filing can help prevent costly mistakes and delays.
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