Child Support Guidelines in Maine
The model, the factors, and the official table for Maine.
Reference only — no accounts, no personal data collected.Maine sets child support through statewide guidelines. This page explains the calculation model Maine uses, the factors that go into it, and where to find the official support schedule.
The Model Used in Maine
Maine uses the Income Shares model. The guideline combines both parents' incomes as if the child lived in an intact household, then splits the obligation in proportion to each parent's share of that combined income.
Factors Maine Considers
- Combined gross income of both parents
- Allowable deductions (taxes, prior support, other children)
- Each parent's proportional share of the combined income
- Parenting time / overnights with the child
- Work-related childcare costs
- Health insurance premiums and uninsured medical expenses
- Educational or extraordinary expenses where the guidelines allow
Base Obligation Table
The dollar amounts come from the Maine Child Support Schedule, published by the Maine Office of Child Support. The schedule turns the inputs above into a monthly obligation. See the official schedule on the agency site: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ocss/.
Frequently Asked Questions
What model does Maine use for child support?
Maine uses the Income Shares model. See "The Model Used in Maine" above for how it works.
Does parenting time affect support in Maine?
Yes. Maine adjusts the obligation for the number of overnights the non-custodial parent has, because shared parenting lowers the custodial parent's direct costs.
Where do I find the official Maine support table?
The official schedule is published by the Maine Office of Child Support. A link is in the "Base Obligation Table" section above.
Is this the final amount I will pay or receive?
Not necessarily. Courts can deviate for extraordinary medical needs, private school, or travel costs. Use the official schedule or a family-law attorney for a case-specific number.