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Legal Information: Maine

Custody

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Updated: 
November 28, 2023

How much does it cost to file and do I need a lawyer?

There is a fee for filing a parental rights and responsibilities petition or a divorce petition as well as for mediation. If you can’t afford to pay the fees, you can apply for a fee waiver in court.

You are not required to have a lawyer, but it highly recommended. It is an especially good idea to have a lawyer if the other parent has a lawyer, the other parent has been abusive, and/or you believe the other parent will fight you for custody. If you can’t afford a lawyer, you may be able to get free or low-cost legal help. You can find more information about free or low-cost legal help on our Maine Finding a Lawyer page.

If you are going to be in court without a lawyer, our Preparing for Court – By Yourself section may be useful to you.

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