Hiring a Child Custody Lawyer in Maine
How courts in Maine decide custody, emergency custody, parenting classes, how to check a lawyer's license, and free or low-cost family law help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Maine: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | A contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, the litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, whether expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated, and any expenses the client owes whether or not they win; at the end, the lawyer gives a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. Maine bans contingent fees in any initial action for divorce, annulment, judicial separation, paternity or parentage, parental rights and responsibilities, emancipation, grandparent visitation, guardianship or child support (and post-judgment proceedings to change those orders), contingent fees for criminal defendants, and probate estate administration fees based on a percentage of the estate. For actions for professional negligence covered by 24 M.R.S. Sec. 2961, the total contingent fee (excluding litigation expenses) may not exceed 33 1/3% of the first $100,000 recovered, 25% of the next $100,000, and 20% of any amount over $200,000, unless a court approves a higher fee on petition. Statute: https://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/24/title24sec2961.html |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Board of Overseers of the Bar runs a free fee arbitration program for clients (or, with the client's written consent, others) disputing fees charged by a lawyer admitted in Maine, after a good-faith effort to resolve it with the lawyer. If the lawyer fails without good cause to reply within 30 days, the panel may still decide the matter. The award is binding on both sides, and by filing the petitioner gives up the right to sue over the disputed fees; awards are enforceable under the Uniform Arbitration Act. Decisions generally issue within 20 days after the hearing, and any ordered refund is due within 30 days. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | Maine's Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection may reimburse clients for losses caused by an attorney's dishonest conduct, such as misusing client funds or taking money for the attorney's own benefit; legal malpractice is not covered. Contact: P.O. Box 527, Augusta, ME 04332-0527; 207-623-7801. |
Maine rules to know first
| How custody is decided | Maine uses the term parental rights and responsibilities. The court applies the best interest of the child, treating the child's safety and well-being as primary. Factors include the child's age; relationships with parents and others; the child's preference, if old enough to express a meaningful one; stability of current and proposed living arrangements; each parent's ability to encourage contact with the other parent and to cooperate; domestic abuse and child abuse history; and other factors bearing on the child's well-being. If parents agree to shared parental rights and responsibilities, the court must order it unless there is substantial evidence it should not. State policy favors frequent and continuing contact with both parents unless that would not serve the child's best interest. No specific age is set for the child's preference, and the court may not prefer one parent because of gender. Source: 19-A M.R.S. § 1653(1)-(4) |
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| Emergency custody | In a divorce or parental rights case, a party can file a motion for an interim order (an order before judgment) on parental rights and responsibilities and child support, with a witness list, time estimate and draft order. Interim orders require notice to the other party. A party can also ask for an expedited hearing by showing extraordinary circumstances on the court's Request for Expedited Hearing form; no substantive relief is granted without notice and an opportunity to be heard. Separately, in a protection from abuse case, the court can issue a temporary ex parte (without the other side present) order about parental rights for minor children when there is an immediate and present danger of abuse to the plaintiff or a minor child. |
| Parenting classes | When there are minor children, the court must refer the parties to mediation before a contested hearing in a divorce, separation or parental rights case, unless the court waives it for extraordinary cause. The court may also require parents to attend a co-parent education class; four-hour in-person classes are offered around the state, and providers generally charge a fee. Parent education page: https://www.courts.maine.gov/courts/family/divorce-separation/parent-education.html |
| Grandparents' rights | A grandparent may ask the court for reasonable visitation or access if there is a sufficient existing relationship with the child, or another compelling state interest justifies it. The grandparent must file an affidavit showing standing, and the court decides standing first. Visitation may be granted if it is in the child's best interest and would not significantly interfere with the parent-child relationship or the parent's authority. Factors include the child's age and relationship with the grandparent, whether a parent has died, the child's preference if old enough, stability, the ability of the parent and grandparent to cooperate, and any grandparent sex offense conviction. The court fee is the $120 family matter fee. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Maine State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service provides "up to 30 minutes' consult with a qualified, local lawyer for $35"; after that consultation, you and the lawyer agree on a fee or rate for further work. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar's online Attorney Directory lists attorneys admitted to practice in Maine as of the previous day. Search by name, city, state, ZIP, county or six-digit bar number. The Board notes that being listed does not necessarily mean an attorney is in good standing or currently permitted to practice; to check public discipline records, call the Board at (207) 623-1121. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Grievance complaints about Maine lawyers go to the Board of Overseers of the Bar. They must be in writing and signed, using the online form, PDF form or a letter with a detailed summary and relevant documents. Mail: Board of Overseers of the Bar, 97 Winthrop Street, P.O. Box 527, Augusta, ME 04332-0527; phone (207) 623-1121; board@mebaroverseers.org. There is no cost. Central Intake reviews it, Bar Counsel investigates and the lawyer must respond in writing; a Review Panel then dismisses, dismisses with a warning or refers it for a public hearing (the first phase usually takes 90 to 120 days). You may request review of a dismissal within 14 days. Final public discipline is published on the Board's website. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | The Maine Judicial Branch lists free civil legal aid providers: Pine Tree Legal Assistance (the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, for low-income people; ptla.org), Volunteer Lawyers Project, (800) 442-4293; Maine Equal Justice Partners, (866) 626-7059; Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, (800) 497-8505; Legal Services for Maine Elders, (800) 750-5353 (people 60 or older); Disability Rights Maine, (800) 452-1948; and the clinics at Maine Law, (207) 780-4370 or toll-free (877) 780-2522. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.