Maine calculates child support using the Income Shares Model under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006, which combines both parents' gross incomes to determine a total support obligation from the Maine Child Support Table. The obligor's share is proportional to their percentage of combined income. For combined incomes up to $400,000, the table provides a presumptive amount. Filing a divorce action that includes child support costs $120, though standalone child support motions carry no filing fee. Maine's child support calculator worksheet (Form FM-040) walks parents through each step of this calculation, from gross income to final monthly obligation.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model (19-A M.R.S. § 2006) |
| Combined Income Cap | $400,000 per year |
| Divorce Filing Fee | $120 (as of May 2025; verify with your local clerk) |
| Modification Filing Fee | $0 |
| Residency Requirement | Child's home state or 6-month prior residence |
| Self-Support Reserve | $22,800 annual gross income |
| Modification Threshold | 15% deviation from current order |
| Termination Age | 18 (graduated) or 19 (still in high school) |
| Governing Statutes | 19-A M.R.S. §§ 2001–2011 |
| Official Calculator | Maine DHHS Child Support Worksheet (FM-040) |
How the Maine Child Support Calculator Works
Maine's child support calculator determines each parent's obligation by combining both parents' gross annual incomes and applying the Child Support Table established under 19-A M.R.S. § 2011. The table covers combined incomes from $0 to $400,000 and adjusts the basic support entitlement based on the number and ages of children. Children aged 12 and older generate a higher support amount than younger children under the table's age-weighted formula.
The calculation follows six steps. First, each parent's annual gross income is determined under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001. Second, the incomes are combined to produce a single figure. Third, the basic support entitlement is read from the Child Support Table based on the combined income and the children's ages and number. Fourth, additional costs for health insurance, child care, and extraordinary expenses are added. Fifth, the total obligation is divided between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of combined income. Sixth, any credits for substantially equal care or preexisting obligations are applied to produce the final monthly amount.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services provides an online child support calculator at gateway.maine.gov that automates these steps. Parents can also complete the child support worksheet Form FM-040 manually, which Maine courts require as an attachment to any child support filing.
What Income Counts in the Maine Child Support Worksheet
Maine defines gross income broadly under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001 to include wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, dividends, pensions, Social Security benefits, disability benefits, workers' compensation, capital gains, royalties, trust fund distributions, and self-employment earnings (gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses). Spousal support received from a person other than the other parent is also included.
Maine excludes several categories from the gross income calculation. Child support received for other children is not counted. Means-tested public assistance programs including TANF, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP benefits, and General Assistance are excluded under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001. Preexisting child support obligations paid under a court order and preexisting spousal support obligations to a former spouse who is not the other parent are also deducted before the combined income is calculated.
When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Maine courts may impute income based on that parent's earning capacity. However, a primary caregiver of a child under 24 months old is deemed unavailable for full-time employment and will not have income imputed. For children between 24 months and 12 years old, the court considers child care availability and costs before imputing income. Courts may also impute income on nonincome-producing assets with an aggregate fair market value of $10,000 or more, excluding the primary residence, under 19-A M.R.S. § 2007.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Maine Child Support Calculator
Completing the Maine child support worksheet takes approximately 30 minutes when both parents have their financial documents ready. The worksheet (Form FM-040) is available from the Maine DHHS website and is required by every Maine court handling child support matters. Here is each step of the process explained.
Step 1: Gather financial documents. Each parent needs W-2 forms, tax returns (last 2 years), pay stubs (last 3 months), records of self-employment income, Social Security benefit statements, disability or workers' compensation award letters, and documentation of any other income sources listed in 19-A M.R.S. § 2001.
Step 2: Calculate each parent's annual gross income. Add all included income sources. Subtract only the items Maine law allows: preexisting child support obligations under court order and preexisting spousal support obligations to a former spouse who is not the other parent.
Step 3: Combine both parents' adjusted gross incomes into a single figure. This combined income determines where you enter the Child Support Table.
Step 4: Look up the basic support entitlement in the Maine Child Support Table (19-A M.R.S. § 2011). Find the row matching the combined income and the column matching the number and ages of children. Children aged 12 and older generate a higher amount per the table.
Step 5: Add additional expenses. Include the cost of health insurance premiums attributable to the children, work-related child care expenses, and any extraordinary medical or educational expenses agreed upon or ordered by the court.
Step 6: Divide the total obligation proportionally. If Parent A earns 60% of the combined income and Parent B earns 40%, Parent A is responsible for 60% of the total support obligation. The parent with less parenting time pays their share to the other parent.
Step 7: Apply adjustments. If parents share substantially equal care, the enhanced support entitlement (basic support multiplied by 1.5) applies under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006(5)(D-1). Each parent's proportional share is calculated from the enhanced amount, and the parent with the higher income pays the difference.
Substantially Equal Care and the Enhanced Support Formula
Maine does not use a simple overnight-count credit to adjust child support for shared parenting time. Instead, when parents provide substantially equal care, the court applies a 1.5 multiplier to the basic support entitlement under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006(5)(D-1). Substantially equal care encompasses residential time, educational involvement, recreational supervision, child care responsibilities, and medical, dental, and mental health care — not just the number of overnights each parent provides.
Under this formula, the enhanced support entitlement equals the basic table amount times 1.5. Each parent's share of this enhanced amount is calculated based on their percentage of combined income. The parent with the higher income pays the difference between the two shares to the other parent. This approach ensures that the child's standard of living is maintained across both households while recognizing the increased total cost of maintaining two primary residences.
For example, if the basic support entitlement for one child is $1,200 per month, the enhanced amount is $1,800. If Parent A earns 65% of combined income and Parent B earns 35%, Parent A's share is $1,170 and Parent B's share is $630. Parent A pays Parent B the difference of $540 per month. This calculation differs significantly from states that simply reduce the obligation by a percentage for each overnight above a threshold.
When Courts Deviate from the Maine Child Support Guidelines
Maine courts may deviate from the calculated child support amount when strict application of the guidelines would be unjust or inequitable under 19-A M.R.S. § 2007. The party requesting a deviation must file written proposed findings explaining why the presumptive amount is inappropriate. Courts consider several specific factors before ordering a deviation.
Deviation is available when more than 6 children require support from the same obligor, creating a financial burden the guidelines do not adequately address. Courts also consider the interrelation between child support, property division, and spousal support in the same divorce proceeding. A parent supporting financial dependents other than the children at issue — such as elderly parents, disabled relatives, or adult children attending post-secondary education — may receive a deviation. Tax consequences of any awarded tax benefits, including the child tax credit and dependent exemptions, factor into the analysis.
Courts may impute a reasonable rate of return on nonincome-producing assets worth $10,000 or more (excluding the primary residence) under 19-A M.R.S. § 2007. This provision prevents a parent from sheltering wealth in unproductive investments to reduce their apparent income. The court determines a reasonable rate of return based on the asset type and current market conditions.
| Deviation Factor | Statute | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| More than 6 children | 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 | Obligor supports 7 or more children total |
| Interrelated financial orders | 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 | Property division or alimony affects ability to pay |
| Other financial dependents | 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 | Elderly parents, disabled relatives, adult children in college |
| Tax consequences | 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 | Child tax credit or dependency exemption allocation |
| Nonincome-producing assets | 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 | Assets worth $10,000+ excluding primary residence |
| Unjust equal-care result | 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 | Enhanced support formula produces inequitable outcome |
How to Modify an Existing Maine Child Support Order
Maine allows modification of child support orders when the calculated amount under current guidelines differs from the existing order by at least 15% under 19-A M.R.S. § 2009. This 15% threshold creates a rebuttable presumption of a substantial change in circumstances. Either parent may also request a review after 3 years from the date of the last order without needing to demonstrate any specific change in circumstances.
Filing a motion to modify child support in Maine costs $0 — there is no filing fee for standalone child support modification petitions. The motion is filed in the court that issued the original order. Parents must complete and attach an updated child support worksheet (Form FM-040) showing the recalculated amount based on current incomes. Common triggers for modification include job loss, significant salary increase, change in the number of dependents, change in parenting time arrangement, and change in health insurance or child care costs.
The modification takes effect from the date the motion is filed, not the date of the hearing or order. Maine courts cannot retroactively modify child support to a date before the motion was filed. This means parents experiencing a change in circumstances should file promptly rather than waiting, as any arrearage that accrues under the existing order remains enforceable until the modification motion is on file.
Maine Child Support Enforcement: What Happens If a Parent Does Not Pay
Maine enforces child support through the Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) within the Department of Health and Human Services. Enforcement actions begin when a parent falls behind on payments. Income withholding orders sent directly to the obligor's employer are the primary enforcement mechanism and are mandatory in most new and modified orders under Title 19-A, Chapter 65.
After 60 days of delinquency, DSER can initiate suspension of the obligor's driver's license, hunting license, fishing license, trapping license, shellfishing license, and any professional or occupational licenses. The state intercepts both federal and state tax refunds, as well as lottery winnings, to satisfy arrearages. DSER may levy bank accounts and place liens on real property, preventing the obligor from selling or refinancing without satisfying the child support debt. Credit reporting of arrearages to the three major credit bureaus damages the obligor's credit score.
For willful nonpayment, the court may hold the obligor in contempt, which carries penalties including fines and incarceration. The non-TANF annual fee for using DSER child support enforcement services is $25 per year, deducted from collected payments. Parents receiving TANF benefits pay no enforcement fee.
Filing for Child Support in Maine: Costs and Requirements
Filing for child support as part of a divorce action in Maine costs $120 as of May 2025 (verify with your local clerk). Standalone petitions to establish child support without a divorce carry no filing fee. Motions to modify or enforce existing child support orders also carry no filing fee. Court-ordered mediation, which many Maine family courts require before trial, costs $160 total ($80 per party) and covers two sessions of 2.5 to 3 hours each.
Maine courts have jurisdiction over child support when Maine is the child's home state at the time of filing or was the child's home state within the 6 months before filing and at least one parent still resides in Maine. Maine follows the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) for jurisdictional determinations. Parents who cannot afford filing fees may apply for a fee waiver using Form CV-067 (Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees).
A summons costs $10 ($5 for the packet plus $5 for postage). Parents filing through the DHHS Child Support Services program can have the state initiate the case by contacting the Case Initiation Unit at (207) 624-4100 or by mail at 11 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce filing fee (includes child support) | $120 | As of May 2025. Verify with your local clerk. |
| Standalone child support petition | $0 | No filing fee |
| Modification motion | $0 | No filing fee |
| Enforcement/contempt motion | $0 | No filing fee |
| Court-ordered mediation | $160 ($80/party) | Covers 2 sessions of 2.5–3 hours |
| Summons | $10 | $5 packet + $5 postage |
| DSER annual fee (non-TANF) | $25/year | Deducted from collected payments |
| Fee waiver | Available | Form CV-067 |
When Maine Child Support Ends
Maine child support terminates when the child turns 18 and has graduated from secondary school, or when the child turns 19 if still enrolled in and attending secondary school, under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006. Maine does not extend child support obligations for college attendance or post-secondary education, unlike some states that require contributions through age 21 or 23. Support also ends upon the child's marriage, a court order of emancipation, or enlistment in the armed services.
When a child reaches age 15, the existing child support order must specify the per-child amount for each remaining minor child under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006. This provision prevents the automatic windfall that would occur if the full support amount continued unchanged after one child ages out. Parents should review their orders as each child approaches 15 and 18 to ensure the amounts adjust correctly. If the order does not already contain per-child specifications, either parent can file a modification motion (at no cost) to add them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Child Support
How does Maine calculate child support?
Maine uses the Income Shares Model under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006. Both parents' gross annual incomes are combined, the basic support entitlement is read from the Child Support Table for incomes up to $400,000, and each parent pays their proportional share based on their percentage of combined income. Additional costs for health insurance, child care, and extraordinary expenses are added to the base amount.
What is the Maine child support calculator worksheet?
The Maine child support worksheet is Form FM-040, available from the DHHS website. Maine courts require this completed worksheet as an attachment to any divorce filing or child support petition. The DHHS also provides an online child support calculator at gateway.maine.gov that automates the Income Shares Model calculation, though the court worksheet remains the official document.
How much does it cost to file for child support in Maine?
Filing for child support as part of a Maine divorce costs $120 in court fees as of May 2025. Standalone child support petitions, modifications, and enforcement motions carry no filing fee. Court-ordered mediation costs $160 total ($80 per party). Fee waivers are available via Form CV-067 for parents who cannot afford court costs.
What income is included in the Maine child support calculation?
Maine includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, dividends, pensions, Social Security benefits, disability benefits, workers' compensation, capital gains, trust distributions, and self-employment net income under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001. Excluded income includes TANF, SSI, SNAP, General Assistance, child support received for other children, and preexisting court-ordered support obligations.
How does shared custody affect child support in Maine?
When parents provide substantially equal care, Maine applies an enhanced support formula that multiplies the basic table amount by 1.5 under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006(5)(D-1). Each parent's share of this enhanced amount is calculated proportionally, and the higher-income parent pays the difference. Maine does not use a simple overnight-count credit system.
Can Maine child support be modified?
Maine allows modification when the recalculated amount differs from the existing order by at least 15% under 19-A M.R.S. § 2009. Either parent may also request review after 3 years without proving changed circumstances. Modification motions have no filing fee and take effect from the date filed, not the date of the court hearing.
What happens if a parent does not pay child support in Maine?
Maine's Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) enforces child support through income withholding orders, license suspensions (after 60 days delinquent), tax refund and lottery intercepts, bank account levies, property liens, credit reporting, and contempt of court proceedings that can result in fines or incarceration under Title 19-A, Chapter 65.
At what age does child support end in Maine?
Maine child support ends at age 18 if the child has graduated from secondary school, or at age 19 if the child is still attending secondary school, under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006. Maine does not extend support for college. Support also terminates upon marriage, emancipation, or military enlistment. Orders must specify per-child amounts once any child reaches age 15.
Does Maine impute income to unemployed parents?
Maine courts may impute income to voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents based on their earning capacity under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001. However, a primary caregiver of a child under 24 months old is exempt from imputation. For children ages 24 months to 12 years, the court considers child care availability before imputing. Income may also be imputed on nonincome-producing assets worth $10,000 or more.
What is the self-support reserve in Maine child support?
Maine's self-support reserve is $22,800 per year in annual gross income under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006(5)(C). If the obligor's income falls below this threshold, the child support obligation is reduced to ensure the obligor retains enough income for basic needs. For obligors earning below the federal poverty guideline, the weekly obligation is capped at 10% of weekly gross income.