📍 Maine · 2026

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Maine?

Real numbers for Maine — filing fees, attorney rates, contested vs. uncontested costs, county breakdowns, and what you can do to reduce your total.

✓ Filing fee and waiting period verified against current state statutes · Updated August 2026

Filing Fee
$120
Court filing cost
Attorney Rate
$210/hr
Avg in Maine
Uncontested
$4,200
Avg total cost
Contested
$17,000
Avg total cost
Waiting Period
60 days
Mandatory minimum
Property Law
Equitable Split
equitable state

📜 The Maine Divorce Process, Step by Step

Every Maine divorce — contested or not — passes through the same basic checkpoints:

  1. File your case. The initial petition goes to the county court along with the required filing fee, officially starting things.
  2. Formal notice to your spouse. They have to be properly served and given time to respond under state rules.
  3. Financial disclosure. Both parties lay out their income, assets, and debts — the point where legal costs typically begin climbing.
  4. Settlement discussions. The vast majority of cases resolve through negotiation or mediation before ever reaching a courtroom.
  5. Final judgment. Once terms are set — by agreement or by a judge — the court enters the divorce decree and it becomes official.

Think of this as a general outline rather than a substitute for legal advice — a Maine family law attorney or your county's self-help resources can confirm the current forms and procedure for your situation.

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Divorce Costs in Maine: The Full Breakdown

The cost of divorce in Maine ranges from roughly $2,520 for a simple uncontested case to $27,200 or more for a contested divorce that goes to trial. The single biggest factor is not the state — it is how much you and your spouse disagree.

Maine has a 60-day waiting period. It is one of the more affordable New England states for divorce.

Divorce TypeLow EstimateTypicalHigh Estimate
Uncontested, no children$120$750$4,200
Uncontested with children$2,520$4,200$6,300
Contested, no trial$9,350$17,000$27,200
Contested, goes to trial$27,200$32,300$50,000+
Savings going uncontestedUp to $12,800 per spouse
The most important number The difference between uncontested and contested in Maine is approximately $12,800 per spouse. That is money that stays in your family rather than going to attorneys.

⚖️ Maine Filing Fees by County

The court filing fee in Maine is paid when you submit your divorce petition to the court. This is a fixed, unavoidable cost regardless of whether your divorce is contested or uncontested.

Filing fee note: $120 statewide

Cumberland County (Portland)$120
Penobscot (Bangor)$120
York County$120

💼 Attorney Fees in Maine

Divorce attorney hourly rates in Maine average $210 per hour.

How to Reduce Your Divorce Costs in Maine

📊 Typical Cost Example in Maine

A Portland couple with no children going through an uncontested divorce could finalize in as little as 60 days for approximately $120 in filing fees plus $1,500–$3,500 in attorney costs — total around $1,700–$3,700.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Maine Divorce Costs

How much does a divorce cost in Maine?

An uncontested divorce in Maine typically costs $4,200–$6,300 including the $120 filing fee. A contested divorce averages $17,000–$27,200 per spouse depending on attorney hours and complexity.

Does Maine have a waiting period for divorce?

No. Maine has no mandatory waiting period. Uncontested divorces can be finalized relatively quickly after filing and service.

What is the filing fee for divorce in Maine?

The divorce filing fee in Maine is $120 — one of the lowest in the US.

Is Maine a no-fault divorce state?

Yes. Maine is a no-fault state. Divorce is granted on the ground of irreconcilable marital differences.

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Filing fees based on Maine court records as of July 2026. This is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.