Spousal Support
19-A M.R.S. § 951-A — general support presumed unavailable under 10 years of marriage
- General support helps a spouse with substantially less income potential keep a reasonable standard of living.
- Transitional support meets short term needs or reentry into the workforce.
- Reimbursement support answers exceptional circumstances such as economic misconduct or abuse, or one spouse's contribution to the other's education or career.
- Nominal support preserves the court's power to award it later, and interim support covers the time the case is pending.
Who handles this in Maine: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maine directory.
The length of the marriage. General support is presumed unavailable when the marriage lasted less than 10 years at filing, and presumed to last no longer than half the marriage when it lasted 10 to 20 years. A court that finds the result inequitable or unjust may depart from either presumption.
An award made on or after October 1, 2013 may be modified on a substantial change in financial circumstances. A final judgment awarding none forever bars one later in that action, and unless the order says otherwise, payments not yet due end at either party's death.
Sources for this section (1)
- 19-A M.R.S. § 951-A — Spousal support
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.