If you need some support while you are going through a divorce, here is a partial list of services that may be of help to you. They are listed under three headings: "legal," "other" (including resources for domestic violence, counseling and support, and parenting help) and "financial." Check the topic headings to find resources in your geographic area.
Legal Help
Pine Tree Legal Assistance
Pine Tree Legal Assistance handles only a few divorce cases. We also post self-help guides and interactive forms.
If you are low income, Pine Tree may be able to help you with other legal problems, such as:
- you apply for government benefits but are turned down
- you are being evicted from public housing
- you have problems with MaineCare
- you need a protection from abuse order
Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project
The Maine Volunteer Lawyers Project operates several Courthouse Assistance Projects. If there is a project in your District Court, you can go there for free help with preparing court forms and getting answers to your questions.
Maine Lawyer Referral and Information Service
For a $25 fee, the Maine Lawyer Referral and Information Service can refer you to a lawyer in your area for a one half hour consultation or review of your paperwork. This service is approved and supported by the Maine State Bar Association. If the consultation goes over the half hour, or if you decide to hire the lawyer, you will need to negotiate fees and payment arrangements. If you think you can afford something but not "full representation," you can ask for a referral to a lawyer who offers "limited representation" or "unbundled services," to get help wtih a specific part of your cases or answers to specific questions.
Penquis Law Project
The Penquis Law Project gives legal help to people with low and moderate incomes in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox Counties in cases involving domestic relations, including divorce, protection from abuse, child support and visitation. Priority is given to clients who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Services are free. One-time appointments are available for income-eligible clients who need help with court forms or have questions about family law matters.
Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic
The Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic is run by the University of Maine School of Law. Students represent low income people in civil cases, including contested divorces, in Cumberland, York, Southern Androscoggin, and Western Sagadahoc counties.
Telephone: 780-4370
Toll Free: 1-877-780-2522
Domestic Violence
Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence is a group of organizations set up to work together to end domestic abuse. It helps to coordinate the work of the local domestic violence projects.
If you need help, or just someone to talk to, contact the agency serving your county. Many of these projects also have a lawyer on staff, who may be able to help you with legal issues.
Domestic Violence Resources for Native Americans
Wabanaki Health and Wellness can make referrals.
Passamaquoddy Peaceful Relations 1-888-853-2613 Toll Free 24 Hour Hotline or call the Tribal Police at 853-2551
Indian Township: Passamaquoddy Health Center call 796-2321 (M-F 7:30-4)
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians: Domestic Violence Hotline 532-6401 (24 hours); Maliseet Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Center
Aroostook Band of Micmacs: (ask for Tania Morey) 764-1972
Penobscot Nation Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Advocacy Center: 631-4886
Counseling and Support Services
2-1-1 Maine
Get quick 24-hour access to health and human services information and resources. Toll Free Telephone: 2-1-1
Toll Free from outside of Maine: (877) 463-6207
You can also text your zip code to 898-211 to access information and resources via text message (standard messaging rates apply)
211 Home Page
Search 2-1-1 for services online
Maine State Crisis Hotline
If you are stressed out and need help, the Maine State Crisis Hotline (888-568-1112) offers support and referrals to agencies in your area. Other crisis and hotline numbers are listed on the Maine DHHS website.
New Ventures Maine
If you are going through major life changes, New Ventures Maine can give you support and assistance. The Maine Centers offers free online and in-person workshops and courses in employability, career/life planning, job searches, self-esteem, money management, and self-employment. Call the number below to be referred to the program nearest you.
Toll Free: 1-800-442-2092
Catholic Charities Maine
Catholic Charities Maine offers such services as day care resources, pregnancy counseling and testing, substance abuse counseling, children's youth services, dental clinics, and services for the visually and hearing impaired, among others. Not all services are offered in all locations. Call the number below to be referred to the program nearest you.
Toll Free: 1-800-781-8550
Opportunity Alliance
The Opportunities Alliance offers programs to help people deal with suicide, crisis, homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse
Toll Free: 1-877-429-6884
Cumberland County Crisis Response: 774-HELP or Toll Free: 1-888-568-1112 (Voice or TDD) 24 Hours
Parenting Help and Education
Families Change
The Families Change Maine website has information for parents, teenagers, and kids going through a divorce or separation in their family. It has information about some of the feelings, and difficult emotional parts of a divorce that a lot of legal resources don't talk about. There is also an interactive game, Changeville, to help younger kids work through their questions and feelings.
Mainely Parents, Inc.
If you are having trouble coping with your child or your child's situation, Mainely Parents offers parent support groups and parent education courses. The groups include a trained volunteer facilitator, a parent leader and other parents.
Kids First Center
The Kids First Center offers a variety of services to the community. The Center offers a number of different programs dealing with issues of divorce and separation for parents and children in various locations throughout the State. It helps people register for its programs and makes referrals to lawyers and therapists outside the Center. The Center also offers a library with books about divorce and separation for parrents, children, and the professionals who work with them.
Call 761-2709 for information about programs in Portland, Topsham and Biddeford or write:
Kids First Center 222 St. John Street, Suite 101 Portland, ME 04102-3054Workshops are offered at the following locations:
Southern Maine Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Biddeford, ME 04005
Telephone: 761-2709
Toll Free: 1-866-543-7347
Woodside Elementary School
42 Barrows Drive
Topsham, ME 04086
Telephone: 761-2709
Toll Free: 1-866-543-7347
Franklin Memorial Hospital
111 Franklin Health Commons
Farmington, ME 04938
Telephone: 761-2709
The Kids First Program is also offered in the following locations. Please call local numbers for current dates and registration information.
Augusta, Waterville, Skowhegan: 859-1500
Belfast: 338-2200 ext 109
Lewiston: 783-3990
The following organizations offer similar programs:
Rockland:
Parent Works
Telephone: 596-0359
Bangor And Ellsworth:
For Kids Sake
Telephone: 942-9329
Presque Isle:
Moving Forward
CTC of Aroostook
Telephone: 488-6657
Drop Off and Pick Up Centers
Home to Home
Home to Home provides a safe place for separated or divorced parents of mid-coast Maine to exchange their children for visitations. A specific time is set up for the exchange. For more information about peaceful exchanges at Home to Home, please contact your lawyer or the Maine Sixth District Court:
West Bath: 442-0200
Wiscasset: 882-6363
Rockland: 596-2240
Home-to-Home Telephone: 837-4894
Advocates for Children
Based in Lewiston, Advocates for Children provides interactive playgroups, educational activities and programs for children, information and referral to community services, and educational workshops on a variety of parenting topics such as child development and discipline strategies, raising responsible teens, fatherhood, divorce, social skills, self-esteem, nurturing, and attachment.
Phone: 783-3990
Financial Help
If you need financial help during or after your divorce or separation, you should know about the these programs.
Income Tax Credits
Go here for tax tips. Apply for all the credits you qualify for and get your tax return prepared for free.
Property Tax or Rent Refund
Both renters and homeowners can qualify for a property tax or rent refund. You can file each year between August 1st and the following May 31st. To get an application, call 624-7894. That number operates 24 hours a day. For information, call 626-8475, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The TTY number is 888-577-6690. Or, you can write to Maine Revenue Services, P.O. Box 1060, Augusta, ME 04332-1060. Go to online application and more information .
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
If your household qualifies, you can get a monthly check. TANF has a work/training requirement, the ASPIRE program. This requirement is waived for some people who get TANF. To apply for TANF, contact the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office nearest you. If you want to go to college while you are getting aid, ask DHHS about the Parents as Scholars (or PaS) program. If you are denied or told you cannot apply, call Pine Tree Legal Assistance.
SNAP (Formlerly Food Stamps)
Many working families in Maine qualify for Food Supplements. Use our eligibility estimator to see what benefits you may qualify for. To apply, contact the DHHS office nearest you.
MaineCare
An increasing number of children and their parents are eligible for MaineCare health coverage. Many children who are not financially eligible for TANF or food stamps can get MaineCare. If you qualify, MaineCare is free, although some families may have to pay a small premium. To apply, contact the DHHS office nearest you.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
If you are pregnant, have had a baby within the last six months, are breastfeeding a baby under 12 months old, or have a child or foster child under age 5, the W.I.C. Program can help you buy certain types of food. Call the Toll Free number below to be referred to the Program nearest you.
Toll Free: 1-800-437-9300 TTY: 1-800-438-5514
Emergency Assistance Program
This program is run by DHHS for low income households with children under the age of 21 who are threatened by destitution or homelessness because of emergency situations. DHHS can help pay a security deposit or back rent if that will prevent an eviction or if your present home is unsafe and you need to move. The program can also pay a bill to prevent a utility shut-off. You can get benefits from this program during a 30 day period one time per year. To apply, contact your area DHHS office.
Get more information
Alternative Aid Assistance
Alternative Aid Assistance is a program to help eligible parents who need short term help to find or maintain employment. Voucher payments equal to up to three months worth of TANF benefits. This program can help a family once every 12 months, to help them avoid the need for ongoing TANF benefits. To apply, contact your area DHHS office.
Get more information
General Assistance
General Assistance is a welfare program run by every city and town. You can use General Assistance vouchers to pay for rent, food, utilities, medicine or clothing. If your income is too low to pay for your basic necessities, General Assistance may help you. To qualify, you may have to show that your income for the past 30 days was spent on basic necessities. If you are able to work, you may be required to do a work search or "workfare." If you do not know how to apply, or have questions about how your town or city is handling your application, call DHHS Toll Free at 1-800-442-6003. The local number is 287-2826. The TTY number is 1-800-606-0215.
Learn more details about how this program works.
Salvation Army
If you are low on money, food or clothing, call your local Salvation Army office. The Divisional Headquarters are located in Portland at 297 Cumberland Avenue, PO Box 3647, Portland, ME 04104. Telephone: 774-4172.
Community Action Program (CAP) Offices
CAP agencies offer a number of programs which may help you. They include: health services and referrals, job training, day care, housing information and referral, fuel assistance, insulation and furnace repairs, surplus food, and transportation.
Go to Divorce and Parental Rights in Maine
Updated August 2017
PTLA #322