Maine Child Support Calculator

Estimate Maine child support for 2026 using the Income Shares guideline model under 19-A M.R.S. §§ 2001-2010. Enter both parents' incomes and the parenting-time split to see what you may owe or receive.

Maine follows the Income Shares model under Title 19-A M.R.S. §§ 2001-2010. The court combines both parents' monthly gross incomes, looks up the basic support obligation on the state's guideline schedule for that income level and number of children, then prorates the obligation between the parents according to each parent's percentage share of the combined income.

Maine uses a shared-care formula, so parenting time can change the support number once each parent has the children for a substantial share of the year. When care is genuinely shared between both homes, the court can adjust the basic obligation to reflect the duplicated costs of raising the children in two households. The exact overnight count and the math come from the official guideline worksheet, so the on-page estimate may differ from what a judge applies in your case.

The cost of the child's health insurance premium is treated as an add-on to the basic support obligation in Maine. The parent who pays the premium gets credit for it, and the total cost is divided between the parents in proportion to each parent's percentage share of the combined gross income. Extraordinary or uninsured medical expenses are handled the same proportional way under the guideline.

Work-related child care and daycare costs are an allowed add-on in Maine and are layered on top of the basic support obligation. These costs are shared between the parents according to each parent's percentage of the combined gross income, the same proportional split used for the rest of the obligation. Document the actual cost of care you need to work, because the guideline worksheet builds it into the final number.

Maine judges generally must follow the guideline amount because it is presumed correct, but a court can deviate when applying the guideline would be unjust or inappropriate in a specific case. The parent asking for a different number carries the burden of showing why the presumed amount should not apply, and the court must put its reasons on the record. The on-page calculator is only an estimate, so the official worksheet and a licensed attorney control the actual order.

Frequently asked questions

How is child support calculated in Maine?

Maine uses the Income Shares model under Title 19-A M.R.S. sections 2001 to 2010. The court adds both parents' monthly gross incomes together, finds the basic support obligation for that combined income and the number of children on the state's guideline schedule, then divides that obligation between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. Add-ons like health insurance and child care are layered in and split the same proportional way. The calculator on this page is an estimate only. The official Maine child support worksheet and a licensed attorney control the final order.

Is there an official Maine child support worksheet I have to use?

Yes. Maine has an official child support worksheet that is the controlling form for setting support, and it is the document the court actually relies on. You can find the family forms through the Maine courts at courts.maine.gov, and the Maine Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER) also works from the same guideline. The worksheet walks through both parents' gross incomes, the basic obligation from the schedule, and the add-ons. Any number from the estimator on this page is informational only. Complete the official worksheet, because that is what a judge and DSER will use.

What income counts when Maine calculates support?

Maine starts from gross income from almost any source. That includes wages, self-employment earnings, retirement income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and capital gains. For a parent who is self-employed, reasonable business expenses can be deducted before the income is used in the guideline. Because Maine is a gross-income state, the figure used is generally before taxes rather than take-home pay. The combined gross income of both parents drives the basic support obligation under 19-A M.R.S. sections 2001 to 2010, so reporting income accurately is the most important step in getting a correct number.

How are overtime, bonuses, and self-employment income treated in Maine?

Maine looks at gross income from any source, so overtime and bonuses generally count when they are a regular part of what you earn. For a self-employed parent, the court starts with gross receipts and then subtracts reasonable, ordinary business expenses to reach the income figure used in the guideline. The goal is a fair picture of real available income, not just a base salary. Because these situations can be fact-specific, the official Maine worksheet and a licensed attorney should confirm how variable or business income is counted. The on-page estimate cannot account for every detail of your earnings.

Does 50/50 or shared parenting lower child support in Maine?

It can. Maine uses a shared-care formula, so when both parents have the children for a substantial portion of the time, the court can adjust the basic obligation to reflect the cost of maintaining two homes. A truly equal schedule does not automatically erase support, because the higher-earning parent may still owe to keep the children's standard of living similar in both households. The exact effect depends on the overnight count and the income split run through the official guideline worksheet. Use this page's number as a rough estimate, not as the final shared-care figure.

When does child support end in Maine?

In Maine, child support generally ends when the child turns 18. If the child is still attending high school at 18, support can continue until the child finishes or turns 19, whichever comes first. Support for college is not automatic in Maine, but parents are free to agree to it in their order. Until a court formally terminates or modifies the obligation, you should keep paying as ordered, because stopping on your own can create arrears. Confirm the exact end date for your order against the official guideline and, if needed, a licensed Maine attorney.

How do I change a Maine child support order if my situation changes?

You can ask to modify support by filing a motion to modify in district court or by requesting a review through the Maine Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery (DSER). Maine supports a modification when there is at least a 15 percent variance between your existing order and a fresh guideline calculation, or when there is another substantial change of circumstances, such as a job loss or a major income change. Run your new numbers through the official worksheet before filing so you know whether you likely meet the threshold. This page's estimate can help you decide, but it does not replace the official calculation.