Maine Child Support Calculator

Estimate your child support obligations in Maine using the income shares model. Understand how support is calculated, what factors matter, and what to expect. Updated for 2026.

Income shares Model

Maine uses the Income Shares Model under 19-A MRSA 2006 (Maine Child Support Guidelines). Both parents' gross incomes are combined and applied to the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations to determine the total support amount. The obligation is divided proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income. Adjustments are made for health insurance, childcare costs, and extraordinary expenses.

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What Goes Into the Maine Calculation?

Income

Both parents' gross income from all sources:

• Wages and salary
• Bonuses and commissions
• Self-employment income
• Investment income
• Rental income
• Social Security benefits
• Unemployment benefits
• Pension / retirement income

Deductions

Allowable deductions that may reduce gross income:

• Federal and state income taxes
• FICA / Social Security tax
• Mandatory retirement contributions
• Union dues
• Health insurance premiums
• Existing child support orders

Adjustments

Additional factors that can adjust the base support amount:

• Number of children
• Parenting time / custody split
• Childcare costs
• Health insurance for children
• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Special needs of the child
• Travel costs for visitation
• Extracurricular activities

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Divorce.ai's income and expense tracker helps you accurately report your finances for the Maine child support worksheet.

How the Income shares Model Works

1

Determine Combined Income

Add both parents' adjusted gross income together to get the combined income figure.

2

Look Up Base Obligation

Using Maine's guidelines table, find the base child support amount for your combined income and number of children.

3

Prorate Between Parents

Each parent's share is proportional to their income. If Parent A earns 60% of the combined income, they are responsible for 60% of the obligation.

4

Apply Adjustments

Add or subtract adjustments for healthcare, childcare, shared parenting time, and extraordinary expenses.

Complete your child support worksheet

Divorce.ai auto-fills the Maine child support worksheet based on your financial information. Accurate and court-ready.

Modifying Child Support in Maine

Child support orders are not permanent. You can request a modification when there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common reasons include:

•
Job loss or income reduction: Involuntary loss of employment or significant pay cut
•
Increase in income: Either parent receives a substantial raise or new income source
•
Custody changes: Significant change in the parenting time arrangement
•
Child's needs change: New medical needs, educational requirements, or special needs
•
Healthcare cost changes: Significant increase or decrease in health insurance or medical costs
•
New children: Birth of additional children (in some states)

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Maine?
Maine uses the income shares model. Maine uses the Income Shares Model under 19-A MRSA 2006 (Maine Child Support Guidelines). Both parents' gross incomes are combined and applied to the Schedule of Basic Child Support Obligations to determine the total support amount. The obligation is divided proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income. Adjustments are made for health insurance, childcare costs, and extraordinary expenses.
What income is used to calculate Maine child support?
Gross income from all sources is typically used, including wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, investment income, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, and disability benefits. Courts may also impute income if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.
How long does child support last in Maine?
Child support in Maine generally continues until the child turns 18, or through high school graduation if the child is still in school. Some orders extend to age 19 or 21 depending on the state and circumstances (college support, special needs).
Can Maine child support be modified?
Yes, child support orders in Maine can be modified when there is a substantial change in circumstances. Common reasons include significant income changes (job loss, promotion), changes in custody arrangement, changes in the child's needs, or changes in healthcare costs.
What if a parent doesn't pay child support in Maine?
Maine has enforcement mechanisms including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension (driver's and professional), bank account levies, contempt of court charges, and reporting to credit bureaus. Failure to pay can result in fines and jail time.

Related Maine Guides

Maine Divorce GuideMaine Divorce FormsMaine Divorce CostMaine Divorce TimelineMaine Uncontested DivorceMaine Divorce with ChildrenMaine Property DivisionMaine Residency RequirementsMaine Alimony Calculator

Get accurate Maine child support calculations

Divorce.ai helps you complete the official Maine child support worksheet and understand your obligations.