Divorce, Custody, & Family
Displaying 1 - 10 of 16
Icon for content type Article

How to change your name and gender marker in Maine

This is a guide for adults in the state of Maine who want to change their legal name and/or gender marker. This guide is especially written for trans or gender non-conforming people - but can be used by any adult who needs a name change!
Icon for Guides, How To's and Classrooms

How To: Change or Enforce Your Maine Divorce or Parental Rights Order

If you are trying to modify (change) or enforce a final order from a Parental Rights and Responsibilities or Divorce case in Maine, you might find some helpful information here. This guide will walk you through the process for filing these motions.
Icon for content type Article

Maine Sexual Assault Resources: Child Sexual Abuse & Normal Child Sexual Behavior

How do I know if my child’s sexual behavior is normal or a sign of abuse?  As a caregiver, you may be worried about a child if they start displaying sexualized behaviors. Your instinct may be to think something has happened to the child, but that is not always the case. Some child sexualized behavior is healthy.
Icon for content type Article

Maine Child Protection: What happens when DHHS investigates a household?

This is the second part of our guide to Child Protection proceedings in Maine. It covers what can happen when DHHS investigates a household because they believe that a child may be at risk of being harmed.
Icon for content type Article

Maine Child Protection: What does DHHS do when they get a complaint of child abuse?

This guide is the first in a series about what happens when DHHS gets involved with families. This guide covers the very first steps in the Maine Child Protection process - our other guides cover later parts of this process. If you are in a situation where DHHS is becoming involved with your family, start here.
Icon for content type Article

Child Abuse and Neglect in Maine: DHHS Substantiation and Indication

About DHHS and Child Abuse and Neglect DHHS Child Protective Services investigates reports of child abuse. There are 5 different things that DHHS can do:
Icon for Guides, How To's and Classrooms

Adoption, Guardianship of a Minor, Child Name Change and Maine's Home Court Act: When, where and how to file the Jurisdictional Affidavit

What is the Maine Home Court Act?  The Home Court Act is a Maine law passed in 2016. It is meant to prevent more than one case about the same child from happening in different courts. Courts use a “Jurisdictional Affidavit” to find out about all of the cases involving a child and determine where your case should be addressed.  
Icon for content type Article

What Concerned Adults Can Do to Protect an Endangered Child

You can file a Three-Person Petition (also called a Three-Party Petition) in District Court. Under the Maine Child Protection laws, three or more people can file a Child Protection petition, asking the Court to order DHHS or a third party like a relative to take custody of and provide services to a youth...
Icon for content type Article

Military Retirement Pay and the Collection of Child and Spousal Support

Federal and State Law Federal and state law allow money from military retirement pay to be withheld to meet most child support and spousal support (alimony) obligations.