Child custody and support in Maine
The Maine rules for parents who divorce, from official sources: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, custody mediation and the child support agency.
Checked against official sources: Oct 24, 2026
Quick answer
Maine law uses the term “parental rights and responsibilities (allocated or shared) and contact” for custody. About the parenting class: The court may require a 4-hour co-parent education class; classes are run by community organizations for a fee: courts.maine.gov: Parent education.
- Custody term
- Parental rights and responsibilities (allocated or shared) and contact
- Parenting class
- Depends on the court
- Child support agency
- Maine DHHS, Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery
Custody terms in Maine
Parental rights and responsibilities (allocated or shared) and contact
Mediation
If your case is contested (especially with minor children), the court will usually schedule mediation at the courthouse or on Zoom. The fee for initial mediation is $160 for two sessions unless you qualify for a waiver. Tell the court if you have safety concerns: courts.maine.gov
Parenting class in Maine
The court may require a 4-hour co-parent education class; classes are run by community organizations for a fee: courts.maine.gov: Parent education
Child support in Maine
Child support follows Maine's guidelines. For help setting up or collecting it, contact the state's child support agency.
Children in a Maine divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use Maine's term for custody: parental rights and responsibilities (allocated or shared) and contact.
Parenting class
Take the parenting class described above if Maine requires it in your case.
Mediation
If the court sends you to mediation, go to every session; the rule is above.
The child support agency
For help setting up or collecting support, contact the state's child support agency.
Questions about custody and child support in Maine
What is child custody called in Maine?
Maine uses the term “parental rights and responsibilities (allocated or shared) and contact”.
Do parents have to take a class in a Maine divorce?
The court may require a 4-hour co-parent education class; classes are run by community organizations for a fee: courts.maine.gov: Parent education
Which agency handles child support in Maine?
Is mediation required for custody in Maine?
If your case is contested (especially with minor children), the court will usually schedule mediation at the courthouse or on Zoom. The fee for initial mediation is $160 for two sessions unless you qualify for a waiver. Tell the court if you have safety concerns: courts.maine.gov
More about divorce in Maine
- All Maine divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Maine
- Maine divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Maine
- Serving divorce papers in Maine
- Divorce timeline estimator for Maine
- Divorce checklist for Maine
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
Sources
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.