Child Support in Maine: How It's Calculated
Maine uses the Income Shares Model to determine child support obligations. This guide walks through how the formula works, what factors Maine courts consider, and how to modify or enforce an order — with links to official Maine resources.
Income Shares Model in Maine
Maine uses the Income Shares Model under 19-A M.R.S. §2006. Both parents' gross incomes are combined and compared to the Maine Child Support Schedule. The resulting combined obligation is divided between parents in proportion to each parent's share of the combined income.
Maine's guidelines provide a parenting time adjustment when the non-primary parent exercises more than the standard schedule. Maine courts also apply a self-support reserve, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to meet basic needs. Health insurance and childcare are added to the base before allocation.
Key Factors Maine Courts Consider
- Both parents' gross monthly income
- Number of children
- Parenting time exercised by the non-primary parent
- Child's health insurance premium
- Work-related childcare expenses
- Extraordinary medical or other expenses
- Self-support reserve consideration for low-income parents
Official Maine Resources
Get an accurate number from an official source
Child support calculations are complex and fact-specific. For an accurate figure, use Maine's official worksheet or consult a licensed family law attorney. This guide explains the framework — it does not produce a binding calculation.
Step-by-Step: How Maine's Formula Works
Here is how Maine applies the Income Shares Model to calculate a child support obligation, step by step:
1. Determine each parent's income
Maine starts by calculating each parent's income — gross income (before taxes). The specific definition of income is set by Income Shares Model.
2. Combine incomes and find the basic obligation
Both parents' incomes are combined and compared to Maine's child support schedule. The schedule produces a basic child support obligation based on combined income and the number of children.
3. Add health insurance and childcare costs
Health insurance premiums paid for the child and work-related childcare expenses are added to the basic obligation before it is divided between parents.
4. Divide proportionally based on income share
The total obligation is allocated between the parents in proportion to each parent's share of combined income. The parent with the higher income share bears a larger portion of the obligation.
5. Apply parenting time credits
Parenting time exercised by the non-primary parent parenting time adjustment when the non-primary parent exercises more than the standard schedule.
Document Everything for Your Maine Case
Maine courts rely on documented records — parenting time logs, expense receipts, and payment histories. ReplyCalmly helps you track all of it and generate organized, exportable reports.
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