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Divorce Waiting Period in Maine

In Maine, there is a minimum 60-day waiting period between filing all the necessary divorce paperwork and the final hearing, and irreconcilable marital differences is a ground for divorce.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Maine at a glance

Waiting period
60 days after filing
Runs from filing all the necessary divorce paperwork to the final hearing.
Separation required
No
No separation period is listed for the irreconcilable marital differences ground.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Maine

How long is the waiting period before a divorce can be finalized in Maine?

Waiting period in Maine: 60 days after filing. Runs from filing all the necessary divorce paperwork to the final hearing.

Do spouses have to live apart before a no-fault divorce in Maine?

Separation required in Maine: No. No separation period is listed for the irreconcilable marital differences ground.

Where do the Maine divorce waiting periods come from?

The rules above come from 19-A M.R.S. 902. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

A waiting period is a minimum, not an estimate. Contested issues such as property division, support or custody, court schedules and missing paperwork can make a divorce take much longer than the statutory minimum.

Separation rules can depend on how the state defines living apart. Some states count time spent separated under the same roof, while others require separate homes. Keeping a record of the date the separation began, such as a written separation agreement or a lease, can help show when the period started.

Spouses can often use the waiting period to negotiate a written settlement covering property, debts, support and parenting time. A settlement agreement that is ready when the waiting period ends can help the court finalize the divorce sooner, and a local attorney can confirm the filing requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

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