Maine DIY Divorce: Forms, Fees & Mediation

Maine does not require you to hire a lawyer to get divorced, and the Judicial Branch publishes every core form you need free of charge. There is no separate “summary divorce” statute, but spouses who agree on everything can still move through the District Court — Family Division quickly by settling privately and requesting an uncontested final hearing. For the full residency, venue, and grounds requirements, see our Maine divorce filing checklist. Here is what you need to handle your Maine DIY divorce on your own.

Where to Get Free Self-Help Forms

The Maine Judicial Branch's Court Process in a Family Matters Case page lists every form by number and links to the fillable PDFs. Core forms most DIY filers need include:

• Family and Probate Matter Summary Sheet (FM-002)
• Complaint for Divorce (FM-004)
• Family Matters Summons and Preliminary Injunction (FM-038) — the one form you cannot download; it must be purchased with the court seal from a clerk's office
• Acknowledgment of Receipt of Summons and Complaint (CV-FM-036)
• Social Security Number Confidential Disclosure (CV-CR-FM-PC-200) — filed with the court but never served on your spouse

If you have minor children, add the Child Support Affidavit (FM-050) and Child Support Worksheet (FM-040). If property division or spousal support is at issue, prepare the Financial Statement (FM-043) as well.

eFileMaine: Filing Online Is Expanding Statewide

eFileMaine lets you submit family matters — including divorce — electronically instead of on paper, and coverage has grown quickly. As of 2026, eFiling for all case types is live in Region 1 (York County), Region 3 (Androscoggin and Oxford), Region 4 (Kennebec and Somerset), and Region 7 (Hancock and Washington, added July 27, 2026), plus most family matters in the Bangor courts. Attorneys must e-file in covered regions; self-represented parties may e-file but aren't required to unless they file more than six non-emergency family or civil cases in a year. Always confirm your courthouse's current status on the Judicial Branch's Maine eCourts pages before assuming paper filing is your only option.

Filing Fees and How to File

Maine's divorce filing fee is a flat rate statewide, set out on the Judicial Branch's process page:

• $120 filing fee for the Complaint for Divorce, due when you file
• $5 for the sealed Summons (FM-038) if purchased in person, or $10 by mail (covers postage)

If you cannot afford these costs, you can apply for a fee waiver using the Application to Proceed Without Payment of Fees (CV-067) and a supporting affidavit; automatic waivers apply for recipients of TANF, SSI, or General Assistance. Service costs vary by method — acknowledgment by mail is free beyond postage, certified mail adds USPS fees, and sheriff service typically adds a delivery fee.

Mediation Through CADRES

Maine's court ADR program (CADRES) usually requires mediation in divorce and parental-rights cases before any contested hearing. The clerk schedules your session at the courthouse or by Zoom, and the fee is paid to the court — typically $80 per party ($160 total), with fee waivers available for those who qualify. If there is an active Protection from Abuse order, mediation can be restricted or excused, and the court can arrange separate rooms or remote participation for safety.

The Fastest DIY Path: Settling Privately

Maine has no formal “summary divorce” process, but spouses who agree on custody, support, and property can still avoid a drawn-out contested case:

1. File your Complaint and Summons and serve your spouse using the Acknowledgment of Receipt form to avoid sheriff fees, if possible.
2. Put your full agreement in writing covering property division, support, and (if applicable) a parenting plan.
3. Complete required disclosures, including the Financial Statement and Child Support Affidavit where applicable, and attend court-ordered mediation if the case is treated as contested until settlement.
4. Request an uncontested final hearing once everything is signed. Maine law does not allow this hearing before 60 days after service, no matter how quickly you settle.
5. Attend the brief hearing. The judge confirms residency and grounds, checks compliance with the automatic preliminary injunction, and reviews your agreement before signing the decree.

For a closer look at how a contested case differs from an agreed-upon one, see our Maine uncontested vs. contested divorce guide, and for a stage-by-stage breakdown of timing, see our Maine divorce timeline guide.

When to Consider Hiring an Attorney

DIY divorce works best in Maine when both spouses cooperate, property is straightforward, and parenting time is not contested. Consider hiring a family law attorney if your case involves:

• A business interest, real estate, or retirement accounts needing a qualified domestic relations order
• Contested custody or parental-rights disputes
• Domestic violence or an active Protection from Abuse order
• Concealed assets or disputes over separate property

Many Maine attorneys offer limited-scope help — reviewing your paperwork or coaching you before your hearing — for a flat fee, which costs far less than full representation while still catching costly mistakes.