Reviewed August 2026
Child Support in Maine
Maine calculates child support under the income shares model in Title 19-A, section 2006 of the Maine Revised Statutes. The court or hearing officer adds both parents' annual gross incomes together. That combined figure gets applied to the state's child support table. The resulting per-child figure is then multiplied by the number of children to reach the basic support entitlement. Maine's district courts hear child support matters. The Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery, known as DSER and housed in the Office for Family Independence, is the state's IV-D agency. It helps parents apply for services and enforces existing orders.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how child support works under Maine law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Maine paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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The income shares guidelines under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006
Maine's guidelines start by adding both parents' annual gross incomes into one combined figure. The court locates that figure on the state's child support table to find the basic support entitlement per child. It multiplies that per-child dollar amount by the number of children in the case to reach the basic support entitlement. Child care costs and health insurance get added to that base amount, giving the total basic support obligation. The court then divides that obligation between the parents based on their share of the combined income.
Applying for DSER services
The Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery, part of Maine's Office for Family Independence, is the state's IV-D agency. A parent can apply online through Maine's customer portal, or by downloading and mailing a paper application. Parents already receiving TANF benefits get enrolled automatically. Applicants generally need the child's birth certificate, any existing court order, and a statement of child support already paid.
Who hears a Maine child support case
Maine's district courts handle child support matters. They apply the Title 19-A guidelines to the parents' documented gross income. DSER works alongside the court system on IV-D cases. It helps determine, collect, and enforce child support obligations. This also covers cases that involve another state under interstate family support law.
Modifying an existing order
Maine's child support guidelines apply the current support table to any request to change an order, including a request for past support. The same combined-income calculation used to set the original order applies here too. A parent seeking a modification generally needs to show a substantial change in circumstances since the existing order. DSER can also review IV-D cases periodically to check whether the order still matches the current guidelines.
Enforcement tools
DSER's role includes determining, collecting, and enforcing child support obligations. Income withholding orders are among its primary enforcement tools once a support order is in place. The division also manages a customer portal where a parent can track payments and account activity. A parent who does not comply with a Maine district court support order can be held in contempt of court. Additional collection tools apply for significant arrears.
Sources: 19-A M.R.S. § 2006 (Support guidelines), Maine DHHS, Office for Family Independence, Child Support Services
Not independently confirmed
- Exact modification statute section and numeric variance threshold for periodic DSER review
- Direct URL for a standalone online Maine child support calculator
Child Support in Maine: frequently asked questions
Does Maine use the income shares model for child support?+
Yes. Under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006, the court adds both parents' annual gross incomes together. It applies that combined figure to the state's child support table to find a per-child amount. That figure is multiplied by the number of children to reach the basic support entitlement, before adding child care and health insurance costs.
How do I apply for child support services in Maine?+
You apply through the Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER), part of the Office for Family Independence. You can apply online through Maine's customer portal or by mailing a paper application. Parents already receiving TANF benefits are enrolled automatically.
What court hears child support cases in Maine?+
Maine's district courts handle child support matters, applying the Title 19-A income shares guidelines to the parents' documented gross income. DSER assists on IV-D cases, including interstate matters.
When can I modify my Maine child support order?+
Generally when you can show a substantial change in circumstances since the existing order. The same combined-income guideline calculation used for the original order applies to a modification. DSER can also periodically review IV-D cases to check whether the order still fits the current guidelines.
What happens if a parent stops paying child support in Maine?+
DSER can use income withholding orders and other collection tools to enforce a Maine support order. A parent who does not comply with a district court order can also be held in contempt of court.
Is there an official Maine child support calculator?+
Maine's child support table, published under 19-A M.R.S. § 2006, is the basis for the state's calculation. Confirm the current table and any online worksheet through DSER or the Maine courts before estimating a support amount.
This page is general information about child support in Maine, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Maine's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Maine. Virdix does not prepare or file Maine divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Maine.
More Maine divorce guides
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