Does Maine have Jurisdiction for your divorce?

A person seeking a divorce may file a complaint for divorce in the District Court if:

A. The plaintiff has resided in good faith in this State for 6 months prior to the commencement of the action;

B. The plaintiff is a resident of this State and the parties were married in this State;

C. The plaintiff is a resident of this State and the parties resided in this State when the cause of divorce accrued; or

D. The defendant is a resident of this State. The divorce may be filed in either county in which the parties reside.

If you have minor children living with your spouse in another state for over six months then you should consider filing in that state as that court has jurisdiction over the children. Your spouse can waive that jurisdiction in writing.

You should file the divorce in the county where you presently reside, or in the County where your spouse resides, if she lives in another County. You or your spouse must have a Maine address in the county where you are filing your divorce. Maine civilian residents living overseas may file in Maine if they have maintained their residency in Maine.