How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Maine in 2026?
How much does a divorce cost in Maine? If you file it yourself and agree, it costs about $150 to $300. With a lawyer on a simple case, it runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested divorce costs $7,500 to $25,000 or more. The filing fee is just $120.
The cost of divorce in Maine depends on one big thing. That thing is whether you and your spouse agree. Maine pushes disputed cases into its own low-cost mediation program, which charges just $80 per spouse. So conflict, not the court, is what drives your cost.
This guide breaks down the Maine filing fee, the forms, and the cost by type. It also shows how to keep your divorce affordable. Every number here is a 2026 number. The real total depends on your path and your lawyer.
Quick Answer: Maine Divorce Costs at a Glance
Here is the average cost of divorce in Maine in 2026, at a glance. The filing fee is one of the lowest in the country. The total depends on your path, not just the fee. An agreed divorce stays low, while a court fight climbs fast.
| Cost factor | Maine (2026) |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $120, plus a $5 summons form |
| Uncontested total (DIY) | $150 to $300 |
| Average with a lawyer | $3,500 to $9,000 |
| Contested divorce | $7,500 to $25,000 or more |
| Typical timeline | Agreed cases 3 to 6 months (60 days must pass after service); contested 8 to 18 months |
Filing Fees and Court Costs in Maine
The Maine divorce filing fee is $120, one of the cheapest in the country. There is one more required cost. You must buy the Family Matter Summons from the court clerk for $5, so $125 starts the case. That summons also works as a preliminary injunction, which means neither spouse may transfer or hide property while the case runs.
Divorces are heard in the Family Division of the District Court. Service adds a small cost, at about $25 to $50 for a sheriff’s deputy. If your spouse cooperates, they sign an Acknowledgment of Receipt and service costs nothing. The served spouse has 21 days to answer.
You may be able to remove the fees. Low-income filers can file an Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees. The waiver can cover the mediation fee too. Most Maine divorce forms are free, since the Judicial Branch publishes the full packets online. Only the summons must be bought at the courthouse.
You can find the packets on the official Maine Judicial Branch website, and you can see our guide to divorce filing fees by state. The court also offers a low-cost mediation program at $80 per spouse for two sessions.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Maine by Type?
How much a divorce costs in Maine depends on the type you choose. A simple agreed case costs far less than a court fight. The table below shows the typical total for each path. Your path is set by how much you agree.
| Divorce type | Typical total cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| DIY uncontested (file yourself) | $150 to $300 |
| Uncontested with a lawyer | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Mediated divorce | $1,250 to $4,000 |
| Contested divorce | $7,500 to $25,000 or more |
An uncontested divorce Maine couples file themselves is the lowest option. If you use the free packet, you pay close to the filing fee. The average cost of divorce in Maine climbs once a lawyer or a court fight is involved. This is the cheapest divorce in the series, and you can see our uncontested divorce guide.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce in Maine
A few things affect the cost of divorce in Maine. Agreement is the biggest one by far. The main ground is irreconcilable marital differences, the no-fault ground, which needs no proof and no separation. When you agree, the case stays cheap.
The court process shapes the cost next. Early on, the court holds a Case Management Conference to sort out what is agreed and what is disputed. If issues are disputed, the court orders mediation before any trial. That mediation is where most Maine divorces settle.
Property division adds legal time. Maine uses equitable distribution, which starts by setting aside each spouse’s nonmarital property. The judge then divides the marital property in just proportions, which means a fair split, not an automatic 50/50. The judge weighs each spouse’s contributions, including homemaking.
Timing, children, and location finish the list. At least 60 days must pass after service, and court scheduling adds more. Parents take a parenting class and file a child support affidavit. Portland lawyers charge the most.
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down in Maine
You can keep the cost of divorce in Maine low. The biggest saving comes from agreeing and using the free tools. A few simple moves make a real difference. Here are the best ones.
- File the Certificate in Lieu of Financial Statement. If you agree on all money issues, this replaces the full financial statements.
- Use the free Judicial Branch packets. Skip paid forms services and use the state’s forms.
- Get a signed Acknowledgment of Receipt. This skips the sheriff service fee.
- Use the court’s $80 mediation program. It costs far less than private mediators or two lawyers.
- Take the parenting class online. If you have children, finish it early and cheaply.
- Use a flat-fee or limited-scope lawyer. Pay only for a review of your agreement, not the whole case.
These steps add up to a cheap divorce in Maine. For more ways to save, read our cheap divorce guide. Free help is available at Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
Maine Divorce Filing Steps (Summary)
Here is how to file for divorce in Maine, step by step. It is simplest when your case is agreed. Here are the main steps in order.
- Check your residency route. You qualify by 6 months in Maine, marrying in Maine, the cause arising in Maine, or your spouse living in Maine.
- Download the free packet. Get the divorce packet for your situation, with or without children.
- Buy the $5 summons. Purchase the Family Matter Summons from the District Court clerk.
- File and pay the fee. File the Complaint for Divorce in the Family Division and pay the $120 fee. Or file the fee waiver.
- Serve your spouse. Use a sheriff, or get a signed Acknowledgment of Receipt. Your spouse has 21 days to answer.
- Attend conference and mediation. Go to the Case Management Conference, and mediation if issues are disputed.
- Finalize the divorce. After 60 days from service, attend the short final hearing, where the judge signs the Divorce Judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It costs a $120 filing fee, plus the $5 summons form, so $125 starts the case. Service adds $25 to $50, unless your spouse signs an acknowledgment. A fee waiver can remove the costs. That makes Maine one of the cheapest states to file in.
An uncontested divorce in Maine costs $150 to $300 if you use the free court packet. That is mostly the filing fee and the summons. The divorce cannot finalize until 60 days after service. The cost rises to $1,500 to $3,500 with a flat-fee lawyer.
At least 60 days must pass after your spouse is served. Agreed cases typically finish in 3 to 6 months, with a short final hearing. Court scheduling adds some of that time. Contested cases take much longer, often 8 to 18 months.
A divorce lawyer in Maine costs about $175 to $325 per hour, with an average near $250. Portland charges the most. A flat fee for a simple agreed case runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested case costs much more, often $7,500 to $25,000 or more per spouse.
The Bottom Line
How much a divorce costs in Maine ranges from $150 for an agreed DIY case to $25,000 or more for a court fight. The filing fee is just $120 plus a $5 summons. A signed agreement is the biggest cost lever you control, and the court’s cheap mediation helps when you disagree. Agree with your spouse, and you keep it cheap.
To estimate your own number, try our divorce cost calculator. You can also read our pillar guide on how much a divorce costs.
For information only, not legal advice.
