Maine Child Custody and Parenting Time Resources: Walk In Prepared

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Custody in Maine is decided in the District Court, usually in the Family Division. Most states split the question in two: who makes the big decisions for the child, and what the day to day schedule looks like. Both usually end up written into one order or parenting plan the judge approves.

The wording differs from state to state, so read the official Maine documents below rather than assuming a term you heard elsewhere means the same thing here. Courts decide these cases on the best interests of the child, and the official forms are written to collect the facts a judge needs.

Official Maine custody resources

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Maine family law forms (official index) (Maine judicial branch): The official statewide collection of Maine family law forms. When a direct document link stops working, this index is where the current version lives. https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/Home/Index

Maine court self-help resources (Maine courts self-help): Official self-help information for people handling their own Maine family case, including instructions and plain-language guides. https://www.courts.maine.gov/help/index.html

Maine mediation and dispute resolution (Maine judicial branch): Official information on mediation and other ways to settle a Maine family case without a trial. https://www.courts.maine.gov/programs/adr/index.html

eFileMaine (Maine eCourts) (Tyler Technologies): Maine is rolling out e-filing region by region and plans to cover the whole state by February 2027. As of June 2026 it is live in Regions 1, 3, 4, and 8 (including York, Kennebec, and Aroostook county courts), with Region 7 coming July 27, 2026. https://efileme.tylertech.cloud/OfsEfsp/ui/landing

Maine rules of procedure (Maine judicial branch): The court rules that control deadlines, service, and how family cases move in Maine. https://www.courts.maine.gov/rules/index.html

Verified official Maine custody documents

These official documents cover asking for custody, setting a schedule, and putting a parenting plan in front of the judge.

Affidavit and Request to Register Foreign Custody Order Under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (FM-283), form FM-283 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=FM-283

Amended Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) (CV-FM-PB-221), form CV-FM-PB-221 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=CV-FM-PB-221

Compliance Report of the Guardian Ad Litem (FM-222), form FM-222 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=FM-222

Foreign Judgments Regarding Protection, Custody, or Support: What To Do With These Court Forms (FM-093), form FM-093 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=FM-093

Guardian Ad Litem Voucher (**New Mileage Rates Effective 11/01/2025) (CV-FM-JV-PB-PC-024), form CV-FM-JV-PB-PC-024 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=CV-FM-JV-PB-PC-024

Order Appointing Guardian Ad Litem Under M.R. Civ. P. 17(b) (CV-FM-PA-PB-PC-268), form CV-FM-PA-PB-PC-268 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=CV-FM-PA-PB-PC-268

Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem Under Title 18-C or 19-A (FM-PB-125), form FM-PB-125 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=FM-PB-125

Parental Rights and Responsibilities Case: What To Do With These Court Forms (FM-082), form FM-082 (Child Custody / Parenting), official document: https://mjbportal.courts.maine.gov/CourtForms/FormsLists/DownloadForm?strFormNumber=FM-082

Official link data for Maine was last verified June 2026. Report anything outdated through our contact page and we will re-check the official source.

Frequently asked questions

Which court hears family cases in Maine?

Family cases in Maine are heard in the District Court, usually in the Family Division. Maine family cases are heard in the District Court's Family Division. Maine organizes its trial courts by district rather than purely by county.

Does Maine favor one parent over the other?

Custody decisions are made on the best interests of the child, not on which parent asks first. Judges look at things like stability, each parent's involvement, the child's needs, and whether a parent supports the child's relationship with the other parent. Read the official Maine forms and self-help material for the factors this state asks about.

Do we have to go to mediation first?

Many courts send custody disputes to mediation before a hearing, and some require it. The official Maine mediation page linked above explains what this state offers and when it applies.