Maine Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Maine Child Support

Maine uses the Income Shares Model under Maine Revised Statutes Title 19-A, §2006. This model estimates the total support that would have been available to the child if the parents had remained together, then divides the obligation between the parents proportionally.

The Maine guidelines are administered by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Child Support Enforcement. Maine uses the terms "parental rights and responsibilities" rather than traditional custody terminology, and the support calculation reflects this framework.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Maine

The Maine child support formula works as follows:

1. Determine each parent's gross monthly income from all sources as defined by Title 19-A
2. Combine both parents' incomes to get the total household income
3. Use the state schedule to find the basic support obligation based on combined income and number of children
4. Allocate each parent's share proportionally based on their percentage of the combined income
5. Add health insurance premiums and childcare costs
6. Apply adjustments for parental rights and responsibilities and the self-support reserve

Maine Support Schedule (Selected Income Levels)

Key Factors in Maine Calculations

Gross Income Definition

Maine uses a broad gross income definition from Title 19-A, including:

• Wages, salaries, commissions, and bonuses
• Self-employment income
• Interest, dividends, and investment income
• Social Security benefits (non-SSI)
• Pension and retirement income
• Workers' compensation benefits
• Unemployment compensation

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

Maine uses "parental rights and responsibilities" rather than traditional custody language. The primary residential parent is the parent with whom the child lives most of the time, and that parent typically receives child support. Adjustments are available when parents share residential responsibilities.

Deviations for Special Circumstances

Maine courts may deviate from the guideline amounts when special circumstances exist. Factors that may justify a deviation include:

• The child's special needs
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Educational expenses
• Significant parenting time by the non-residential parent

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Self-support reserve: $1,080 per month (2024). The paying parent must retain at least this amount for their own basic living expenses.

Minimum support: Maine does not set a fixed statutory minimum, but the court ensures the amount is appropriate given the financial circumstances.

Income table: The Maine support schedule covers combined incomes up to $10,000 per month. For incomes above this level, the court has discretion.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Maine allows modification of child support orders when:

• There has been a substantial change in circumstances
• A significant change in either parent's income
• Changes in parental rights and responsibilities
• Changes in the child's needs
• The child reaches the age of majority (18, or 19 if still in secondary school)

Enforcement

Maine Child Support Enforcement enforces child support through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception (federal and state)
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts
• Passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500

Get your Maine estimate: Use our free child support calculator or the Maine child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Maine guidelines.