Reviewed August 2026
Cost and Filing Fees in Maine
To file for divorce in Maine, you file an Entry of a Family Matter Action. The Maine Judicial Branch's statewide fee schedule sets this fee at $120, under Administrative Order JB-05-26. It's a flat fee set by the Judicial Branch, not a county-by-county figure, because Maine's District Courts share one statewide fee schedule. Maine also requires parents in a divorce or family matter case with minor children to attend a Parent Education workshop. The Judicial Branch's own materials say there is generally a fee to attend, paid directly to the workshop organization, not the court. This page covers what the Maine Judicial Branch publishes directly and flags what to confirm locally, such as the exact Parent Education workshop cost and the fee waiver process.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how cost and filing fees 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.
Get notified when Virdix reaches Maine
We'll send one email, nothing else, the day Maine launches.
Filing fee: $120 for a Family Matter Action
Administrative Order JB-05-26 sets the Maine Judicial Branch's statewide fee schedule. It lists Entry of a Family Matter Action, which covers divorce filings, at $120 in District Court. This entry also covers related filings, such as a grandparents or great-grandparents visitation petition and certain post-judgment termination of parental rights actions. A later motion to modify a support order, or other family matter motion, may carry its own separate fee. A motion filed under Maine Rules of Civil Procedure 55(b)(2), 59, 60(b), 62, or 66 costs $60.
Parent Education workshop fee varies
The Maine Judicial Branch's Parent Education page for divorce and separation cases confirms parents generally must attend a workshop when the case involves minor children. It states plainly that there is generally a fee to attend, payable to the organization running the workshop, not the court. The amount and payment options depend on the specific provider, so check with that organization directly for current pricing.
Fee waiver for those who cannot pay
Maine courts let parties who cannot afford filing fees ask the court for relief from payment. The Judicial Branch's fee schedule and divorce pages do not name the exact form or spell out the eligibility standard, so ask the clerk's office at the District Court where you plan to file about the current fee-waiver process.
Service of process costs
After filing, your spouse must be formally served with the divorce papers. Maine allows service by sheriff or by a private process server. The Judicial Branch's statewide fee schedule does not set one fixed dollar amount for this service, because sheriff and process server fees are billed separately from the court's filing fee. Confirm the current cost with the sheriff's office or process server handling your case.
What drives the total cost up
Maine's fee schedule shows that post-filing activity adds cost. A motion under Rule 55(b)(2), 59, 60(b), 62, or 66 costs $60, separate from the $120 base filing fee. Beyond scheduled court fees, a contested divorce involving discovery, additional motions, contested hearings, or expert witnesses, such as appraisers or custody evaluators, adds expense well beyond the base filing fee. Maine's courts do not publish average attorney fee figures, so this page does not estimate a total cost. It depends on how contested the case becomes.
Sources: Maine Judicial Branch: Administrative Order JB-05-26 (statewide fee schedule, $120 Family Matter entry fee), Maine Judicial Branch: Court Fees, Maine Judicial Branch: Divorce & Family Separation - Parent Education, Maine Judicial Branch: Divorce & Family Separation
Not independently confirmed
- Exact dollar cost of the Parent Education workshop (varies by provider organization)
- Name of Maine's fee-waiver mechanism for the $120 filing fee
- Statewide sheriff or process server service fee
- Any e-filing convenience fee for divorce case documents
Cost and Filing Fees in Maine: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file for divorce in Maine?+
Maine's statewide fee schedule sets the fee for Entry of a Family Matter Action, which covers divorce filings, at $120, under Administrative Order JB-05-26. The fee is the same across Maine's District Courts, because the Judicial Branch sets it, not the counties.
How much does the Parent Education workshop cost in Maine?+
The Maine Judicial Branch's Parent Education page states there is generally a fee to attend a workshop, but the exact amount depends on the organization running it. Check with that organization directly for current cost and payment options.
Can I get my Maine divorce filing fee waived?+
Maine courts let filers who cannot afford court costs ask for relief from payment. The Judicial Branch's published pages do not name the exact form or process, so ask the clerk's office at the District Court where you plan to file.
How much does it cost to serve divorce papers in Maine?+
Service is typically done by sheriff or by a private process server. Maine's statewide fee schedule does not set one fixed dollar amount for this, since it is billed separately from the court's filing fee. Confirm the current cost with the sheriff's office or process server handling your case.
What makes a Maine divorce cost more than the $120 filing fee?+
Maine's fee schedule charges $60 for certain post-filing motions under Rules 55(b)(2), 59, 60(b), 62, or 66. A contested case involving discovery, additional motions, or expert witnesses adds further expense beyond the $120 base filing fee.
Does Maine publish average attorney fees for divorce?+
No. The Maine Judicial Branch does not publish average or typical attorney fee amounts for divorce cases. Attorney fees vary by firm and by how contested the case becomes, and the courts do not track or report this figure.
This page is general information about cost and filing fees 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
Virdix currently serves California and Florida
In the states Virdix serves, it guides you through that state's own court forms so your paperwork is complete and consistent before you file. If you're filing in Maine, the resources above are the right place to start, and the form above will tell you the moment Virdix reaches your state.
If the court clerk rejects a document we prepared, we fix it for free until it's accepted. See how the guarantee works