If You are the Defendant in a Family Law Case: Maine Court Forms

If you have been served with a Divorce or Parental Rights complaint, and you wish to be heard by the court, you must fill out, file, and serve certain court forms. Here is a list of the forms you will need.

If you are the defendant, you need to file either an Entry of Appearance form or an Answer and Counterclaim within 20 days of being served with the court papers (Summons and Complaint).

• Entry of Appearance: This is the simplest way to respond.  You are just telling the court that you want to be notified of all court dates in your case.
  • FM-020 Entry of Appearance, Updated 2/2020

• Answer and Counterclaim: This is a longer form that you may want to file and serve.  If the plaintiff decides not to go through with the court case, you can still do that based on your own "counterclaim."
  • FM-186 Answer and Counterclaim for Divorce, Updated 7/2022
  • FM-187 Answer and Counterclaim for Determination of Parentage, Parental Rights and Responsibilities, and Child Support, Updated 7/2022

• Other Forms: Depending on your situation and what the Magistrate or Judge requests, you may need some of these other forms.
  • FM-050 Child Support Affidavit, Updated 1/2023
  • FM-043 Financial Statement, Updated 1/2021
  • FM-040 Child Support Worksheet, Updated 2/2022