Maine child support amounts are calculated using the income shares model under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006, which determines payments based on both parents' combined gross income and each parent's proportional share. For one child with combined parental income of $60,000 annually, the basic weekly child support obligation is $199 per week ($862 monthly). The non-custodial parent pays their percentage of this amount based on their share of combined income. Filing fees for child support cases in Maine total $120, and payments continue until the child reaches 18, or 19 if still attending secondary school.
Key Facts: Maine Child Support
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Calculation Model | Income Shares Model |
| Filing Fee | $120 (as of March 2026) |
| Income Coverage | Up to $400,000 combined annual income |
| Low Income Threshold | Below $16,800 annual = capped at 10% of weekly gross |
| Child Age Distinction | Different rates for children under 12 vs. over 12 |
| Modification Threshold | 15% change required (under 3 years) |
| Termination Age | 18 (or 19 if in secondary school) |
| Waiting Period | 60 days minimum for divorce with child support |
How Maine Calculates Child Support Amounts
Maine determines child support by combining both parents' gross annual incomes and applying the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligation table established under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006. A parent earning 60% of the combined income pays 60% of the basic support obligation, while the custodial parent's share is presumed spent directly on the child. The calculation distinguishes between children under age 12 and those 12 and older, recognizing that older children cost more to raise.
The income shares model reflects the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together. Maine courts add childcare costs, health insurance premiums, and extraordinary medical expenses to the basic support amount, splitting these additional costs proportionally between parents based on their income percentages.
Required Forms for Child Support Calculation
Parents must complete the Child Support Affidavit (Form FM-050), which collects detailed income and expense information. Once both parents exchange income information, the combined income is entered into the Child Support Worksheet (Form FM-040). For shared custody arrangements with substantially equal parenting time, courts use the supplemental worksheet (Form FM-40A) with an increased base amount to account for dual-residence costs.
Maine Child Support Table: Basic Obligation Amounts
The Maine child support table covers combined parental incomes from $0 to $400,000 annually. Weekly support amounts vary based on the number of children and whether children are under or over age 12. Below are representative weekly obligations from Maine's Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligation:
| Combined Annual Income | 1 Child (Under 12) | 1 Child (Over 12) | 2 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $115 | $127 | $167 |
| $40,000 | $145 | $160 | $211 |
| $50,000 | $174 | $192 | $252 |
| $60,000 | $199 | $219 | $289 |
| $80,000 | $244 | $269 | $355 |
| $100,000 | $284 | $312 | $413 |
| $150,000 | $365 | $402 | $531 |
Note: These figures represent the basic weekly support obligation before adding childcare, health insurance, and extraordinary medical expenses. Actual amounts may vary. Verify current figures with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Example Child Support Calculation
Under Maine's income shares formula, a non-custodial parent earning $60,000 annually with a custodial parent earning $30,000 annually would calculate child support for one child under 12 as follows:
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Combined parental income: $60,000 + $30,000 = $90,000 annually
- Non-custodial parent's income percentage: $60,000 ÷ $90,000 = 66.7%
- Weekly basic support obligation from table for $90,000: approximately $264
- Non-custodial parent's share: $264 × 66.7% = $176 weekly
- Monthly equivalent: $176 × 4.33 = $762 per month
This calculation represents the base amount before adding the proportional shares of childcare costs, health insurance premiums for the child, and any extraordinary medical expenses. If the non-custodial parent pays $200 monthly for the child's health insurance, that amount may be credited against their support obligation.
Child Support for Low-Income Parents
Maine provides a self-support reserve protecting parents with gross annual income below $16,800 (approximately the federal poverty guideline). Under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001(5), these parents receive a reduced obligation capped at 10% of their weekly gross income, regardless of the combined income calculation. This protection ensures that paying parents retain sufficient income for basic living expenses while still contributing to their child's support.
For parents with annual gross income below the poverty threshold, the weekly support obligation is calculated as gross weekly income multiplied by 10%. A parent earning $15,000 annually ($288 weekly) would owe approximately $29 per week in child support under this provision.
High-Income Child Support Cases
Maine's child support table covers combined annual incomes up to $400,000. For families exceeding this threshold, courts exercise discretion under 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 to deviate from guidelines while considering the child's reasonable needs and the parents' ability to pay. Courts may extrapolate from the table or apply a needs-based analysis for extraordinarily high incomes.
In high-income cases, the court considers factors including the child's accustomed standard of living, educational needs, extracurricular activities, and special circumstances. Parents with combined income exceeding $400,000 annually should anticipate additional judicial scrutiny and potentially contested determinations regarding appropriate support levels.
Shared Custody and Substantially Equal Care
When parents share substantially equal parenting time (typically defined as each parent having 30% or more overnight parenting time), Maine applies a different calculation using Form FM-40A. This shared custody formula increases the base support amount to account for the additional expenses both households incur maintaining separate residences for the child.
Under shared custody, the court calculates each parent's support obligation, then subtracts the lower amount from the higher amount. The parent with the higher income pays the difference to the other parent. This approach recognizes that both parents incur direct child-related expenses during their parenting time.
Split Custody Arrangements
Split custody occurs when each parent has primary residential care of at least one child from the relationship. Maine courts perform separate child support calculations for each household, determining what each parent would owe the other. The parent owing the greater amount pays the difference to the other parent under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006.
For example, if Parent A owes $400 monthly for children in Parent B's custody, while Parent B owes $250 monthly for children in Parent A's custody, Parent A pays the net difference of $150 monthly to Parent B.
Additional Expenses Beyond Basic Support
Maine child support orders include proportional sharing of expenses beyond the basic support obligation. Work-related childcare costs, health insurance premiums for children, and unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding $250 annually per child are divided between parents based on their income percentages. A parent earning 60% of combined income pays 60% of these additional costs.
Common Additional Expenses
- Daycare and after-school care: Divided proportionally based on income percentage
- Health insurance premiums: Divided proportionally, credit given to paying parent
- Unreimbursed medical expenses over $250/child/year: Divided proportionally
- Extraordinary medical expenses: Court may order special provisions
Child Support Modification in Maine
Child support orders may be modified when circumstances change substantially. Under 19-A M.R.S. § 2009, if less than three years have passed since the original order, modification requires demonstrating that income changes would result in a 15% or greater change in the support amount. After three years, either parent may request review without proving changed circumstances.
Modification Thresholds
| Time Since Order | Requirement for Modification |
|---|---|
| Under 3 years | 15% or greater change in calculated support |
| 3+ years | Automatic review available, no threshold required |
| Any time | Substantial change in circumstances (job loss, disability, custody change) |
Filing a motion to modify child support is free in Maine. The court may refer parents to mediation or schedule a contested hearing. Qualifying changes include job loss, disability, significant income changes, custody modifications, or substantial increases in childcare or health insurance costs.
When Child Support Ends in Maine
Child support in Maine terminates when the child reaches 18 years of age and has graduated from secondary school. Under 19-A M.R.S. § 1653(12), if the child is still attending secondary school at age 18, support continues until the child graduates, withdraws, is expelled, or turns 19, whichever occurs first.
Termination Events
- Child reaches 18 and has graduated high school
- Child reaches 19 (regardless of school status)
- Child marries
- Child becomes emancipated by court order
- Child joins the armed services
- Child dies
Maine does not require parents to pay for college expenses. Support obligations end at the statutory termination event regardless of the child's post-secondary education plans.
Child Support Enforcement in Maine
Maine's Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) enforces child support orders through multiple mechanisms. Wage garnishment through Income Withholding Orders is standard, with limits between 50% and 65% of disposable income depending on circumstances. The 65% maximum applies when the obligor is not supporting another spouse or children and is 12 or more weeks in arrears.
Enforcement Tools Available
| Enforcement Method | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Wage garnishment | Immediate upon order (standard) |
| License suspension | 60 days past due |
| Tax refund intercept | Annual, when arrears exist |
| Bank account levy | Upon DSER match with financial institutions |
| Property liens | Upon accumulation of arrears |
| Contempt of court | Willful non-payment |
| Criminal prosecution | Extreme/willful non-payment |
Maine applies a 6% annual interest rate to unpaid child support obligations. Parents more than 30 days behind may face wage withholding, and after 60 days, driver's licenses, professional licenses, and hunting/fishing licenses may be suspended.
Imputed Income for Voluntarily Unemployed Parents
Under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001(5), Maine courts may impute higher income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. Courts consider the parent's education, work history, job availability in the geographic area, and earning capacity. However, a parent personally providing primary care for a child under 24 months is deemed not available for employment and cannot have income imputed.
Imputed income calculations consider what the parent could reasonably earn given their qualifications and local job market conditions. Courts may order vocational evaluations to determine earning capacity when disputed.
Filing for Child Support in Maine
Child support may be established during divorce proceedings or as a standalone action. The filing fee is $120 as of March 2026, with additional costs of $5 for the summons form and $25-$50 for sheriff service of process. Fee waivers are available for parents receiving TANF, SSI, or general assistance.
Residency Requirements
Under 19-A M.R.S. § 901, at least one parent must have lived in Maine for six months before filing, unless the marriage occurred in Maine and one spouse is currently a Maine resident. Military service members stationed in Maine are exempt from the six-month requirement.
Working with Maine Child Support Services
Maine DHHS Child Support Services (formerly DSER) provides free services including establishing paternity, locating absent parents, establishing support orders, and enforcing existing orders. Services are available to all custodial parents regardless of income. The agency can assist with interstate cases through the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).
To apply for services, contact Maine DHHS Child Support at 1-800-698-4469 or visit your local DHHS office. Services are provided at no cost to families receiving TANF and at minimal cost to other families.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is child support in Maine for one child?
Maine child support for one child depends on combined parental income. At $60,000 combined annual income, the basic weekly support obligation is $199 ($862 monthly) before adding childcare and health insurance costs. The non-custodial parent pays their proportional share based on their percentage of combined income.
What income is used to calculate Maine child support?
Maine uses gross annual income from all sources including wages, self-employment income, bonuses, commissions, Social Security benefits, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, pensions, investment income, and rental income. Under 19-A M.R.S. § 2001, gross income is calculated before taxes and deductions.
Can Maine child support be modified if I lose my job?
Yes, job loss constitutes a substantial change in circumstances allowing modification under 19-A M.R.S. § 2009. If less than three years have passed since the order, the income change must result in a 15% or greater change in the calculated support amount. Filing to modify is free. Courts may impute income if unemployment is deemed voluntary.
How long does child support last in Maine?
Child support in Maine continues until the child reaches 18 and has graduated secondary school, or until age 19 if still attending secondary school, whichever occurs first. Support also ends upon the child's marriage, emancipation, military enlistment, or death under 19-A M.R.S. § 1653(12).
What happens if I don't pay child support in Maine?
Non-payment triggers enforcement actions including wage garnishment up to 65% of income, driver's license suspension after 60 days, tax refund interception, bank account levies, property liens, and potential contempt of court. Maine applies 6% annual interest to arrears. Criminal prosecution may occur in extreme cases of willful non-payment.
Does Maine require parents to pay for college?
No, Maine law does not require parents to pay for college or post-secondary education expenses. Child support obligations terminate at age 18 (or 19 if still in secondary school) regardless of college plans. Parents may voluntarily agree to contribute to college costs, but courts cannot order it.
How is child support calculated with shared custody in Maine?
When parents share substantially equal parenting time (each has 30%+ overnights), Maine uses Form FM-40A with an increased base amount. Each parent's obligation is calculated, and the parent with higher income pays the difference. This accounts for both households maintaining child-related expenses during their parenting time.
What is the minimum child support in Maine?
Maine provides a self-support reserve for low-income parents. Those with annual gross income below $16,800 (approximately federal poverty level) pay a reduced obligation capped at 10% of weekly gross income. This ensures paying parents retain sufficient income for basic necessities while contributing to child support.
Can child support be waived in Maine?
Parents cannot waive child support because it is the child's right, not the parent's. However, courts have discretion in determining amounts and may deviate from guidelines under 19-A M.R.S. § 2007 when circumstances warrant. Any agreement reducing support below guidelines requires court approval and findings that the deviation serves the child's best interests.
How do I file for child support in Maine?
File in the District Court in the county where you or your child resides. The filing fee is $120 as of March 2026. Complete the Child Support Affidavit (FM-050) and Child Support Worksheet (FM-040). Fee waivers are available through Form CV-067 for those unable to afford costs. Maine DHHS Child Support Services at 1-800-698-4469 can assist with establishment at no or low cost.