How Maine Calculates Child Support
Maine uses the Income Shares model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.
Model Type
Income Shares
Income-shares model based on combined gross annual income and number of children; each parent's obligation prorated by income share; adjusted for parenting time and add-ons (childcare, health insurance).
Income Basis & Definitions
gross
Selects the base-support amount from the Maine guidelines table.
Source: 19-A M.R.S. § 2006: Child support tableParenting Time Handling
Calculator selects primary or shared residence arrangement.
Source: 19-A M.R.S. § 2006(5): Shared and split parenting adjustmentsNumber of overnights per year for shared parenting adjustment.
Source: Shared parenting time formulaDeductions & Adjustments
Adjustments for preexisting child support obligations.
Source: Other support obligations adjustmentSpousal support paid adjusts gross income.
Source: Spousal support adjustmentAdd-Ons & Allocation
Work-related childcare costs added and allocated.
Source: Childcare costs add-onHealth insurance premium and uninsured medical allocation.
Source: Medical supportCaps, Minimums & Deviations
Table caps at combined income level; above-cap is court discretion.
Source: Maximum table incomeDeviation allowed; requires findings.
Source: 19-A M.R.S. § 2007: Deviation factors