Divorce & Family Lawyers in West Bath, ME

When a marriage comes to an end, it can be difficult to navigate the many emotional challenges that awaits you while trying to move forward to build a happier future. We at the Maine Divorce Group in West Bath, ME understand that each divorce or separation is unique and that there is no one solution to fit everyone.  We will work with you and your family to find the best solution for your situation.

Because every divorce and family case is unique for a variety of reasons, this is the primary reason why The Maine Divorce Group is here to help you resolve your disputes, no matter how complex, in an amicable and professional manner.

Our family law firm will provide exceptional advocacy on your behalf specializing in all matters regarding family law, divorce & separation, spousal support, child planning & support, complex property division, and all matters regarding business & estate planning.

Family Law Services in West Bath, Maine

We serve all types of family law clients, including traditional divorces, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. The Maine Divorce Group has helped numerous people in a variety of issues, such as:

Divorce

The legal status of a relationship is symbolized by marriage. When a married couple decides to end their marriage, they must follow the formalities of dissolving it.

Unfortunately, this is not as simple as it may sound. Decisions and compromises will be required in terms of property, children, and assets.

Since these are serious concerns that may have a significant influence on the rest of your life and your children’s, many people seek assistance from a family law firm that is well-versed in Maine’s laws.

Mediation

There is no such thing as a quick and easy divorce in Maine, but there are ways to make it less stressful and expensive.

Divorce mediation is one of the most successful methods for couples to work through their differences amicably. Because of its success in resolving family law concerns and keeping divorce proceedings out of court, Maine has long encouraged mediation as an alternative dispute resolution approach.

Parental Rights and Responsibilities in Maine

Parents are still responsible for raising their children, providing for their physical, mental, and emotional needs after separation.

The term “child custody” is no longer used in Maine family law and has been replaced with “parental rights and responsibilities”.

The laws might be difficult to understand and get used to for parents, but if you remember to put the child’s best interests first at all times, it will make things a lot easier for everyone involved.

Child support

In Maine, parents have a legal obligation to financially support their children until the age of 18 or they graduate high school (whichever comes last).

So, if the court needs to decide about parental rights and responsibilities during a divorce, a child support order may be issued at the same time.

Spousal support

Spousal support may or may not be required in every divorce. The demands of the recipient, the payor’s income and financial status, and the length and duration of the marriage all play a role in determining if and how much spousal support will be paid.

Property Division

Maine considers the policy of “equitable distribution” when dividing property in a Maine divorce. Community property states, like Maine, try to allocate a couple’s property between spouses as evenly as possible.

It is crucial that your property is appropriately classified so that you can keep what is yours, or classified as non- marital property, and that you can receive what is equitable under the law.

Child relocation

If you have parental rights and are given custody of your children, relocating might not be as simple. It’s crucial that you speak with a knowledgeable Maine family law attorney if you’re thinking about moving.

Your lawyer will be able to tell you what your rights and responsibilities are in connection with the move and make sure that you follow all the required steps.

Post-judgment matters

The Maine family law courts discourage post-judgment changes to court orders, but they do so with a degree of flexibility. They are not accomplished automatically or right away.

Both parties must continue to comply with the terms of the existing order until it is granted by the court.

Our post-judgment modification lawyers at The Maine Divorce Group can assist you in applying to the court for a judgment that reflects the current state of affairs or filing a motion to enforce an existing family law judgment.

What to do before filing for divorce in West Bath, Maine

While divorce is not a light decision to take it is also not something to jump right into with being well prepared. There are a number of things to consider discussing with an expert before filing for divorce that could affect the outcome between you, your spouse, and children, if they live in your household. You may need to consider:

• your shared assets, both physical and digital,
• any property you may have to divide
• if there is a business, how will it be managed after separation,
• if you have children, there may be need to address a parenting plan
• child support
• spousal support
• and the list goes on.

With the assistance of an experienced lawyer, your preparation can increase the chances of outcomes in your favor. Some points recommended by our law firm before filing for divorce are:

• Collect essential records such as financial statements, tax returns, your prenuptial agreement, and insurance policies
• Inventory your physical, real, and investment property to help identify property that is part of the marital estate and property that is not
• Remain in your family home or if you intend to leave, discuss your plans with your Maine family law attorney first
• Think about the needs of your children
• Secure your digital accounts and information so that your spouse cannot find incriminating evidence to use against you
• Open your own financial accounts, however, talk to your lawyer before moving money around from joint accounts

What to consider before your divorce in Maine

When your marriage ends, you, your spouse, & your children are about to face one of the most stressful events in your life, wrought with emotions. The number of changes can range from new living spaces, changes in expenses, new parenting plans and schedules, new schools, and maybe even new cities. These high emotions can impair decision making so it is important to consider reviewing our tips before starting the process of filing for divorce.

• A lot of individuals are hoping to win the divorce case, as if it was a contest against their ex in court. In fact seldom will there be a real “winner”. A divorce typically involves various issues as mentioned before regarding child custody & support, division of property, alimony and much, much more. Rarely do separated spouses end up getting things exactly as they wanted them in the beginning. Try to consider the consequences of a divorce litigation that may draw out in court as you continue down the path. Remember that the longer your draw out a court “battle” the more expensive it can be, racking thousands of dollars more than if you considered to work with your ex to find agreements where ever you can. Not only financially it can be difficult but at the end of a drawn out divorce your children can surfer the worst as they continue to see their parents, two people who cared for each other, attack each other back and forth.
• Don’t make important decisions without think them through when it involves elements from your marriage, be it your home, your business, your children & your investments. Resist the impulse to make any quick decision just to get your divorce over with. It is important that you consider the potential consequences to any rash decision making.
• Remember, as stated before, those who will suffer the worst from an ugly divorce is your children as they see there parents fighting with each other over the pieces of their lives. For the sake of your children, their mental health and futures to think before you decide to say something hurtful about the other parent. If the children are not coming from a past of neglect or abuse then they will have a continued relationship with the other parent and that can shape the type of future your children will have. Consider the option of a mental health professional to speak with your children about the separation to help them learn how to address the changes and emotions they are undoubtedly experiencing.
• Try to forget about the irritants and bad habits of the past and try to think more about the future after separation and divorce. Try to approach your divorce with a willingness to work with your spouse to achieve the best outcome for your whole family. It may seem easier to get hung up on the past by trying to fix those problems during your divorce but this can lead to increased time and legal fees before you ever get to the point of trying to rebuild your life and enjoy a brighter future.

Often divorcing spouses have goals that are completely unreasonable or inconsistent with the law but emotions can weigh heavy and decision making can become difficult.

If you want your divorce or family matter resolved quickly and timely, you need to understand how divorce laws apply in Maine to your case and have a reasonable expectation about the outcome.

This is why it is important to consult an experienced divorce lawyer. Call us at (207) 230-6597 or contact us directly online. We are here to assist your family.

Where do I file for divorce in West Bath, Maine?

Divorce Courts in Sagadahoc County, Maine

Maine District Court – West Bath

Clerk Name: Anita Alexander
Court Address: 101 New Meadows Road, West Bath, Maine 04530
Phone: 207-442-0200
Fax: 207-442-0219

Clerk Hours: 8AM – 4PM

Parking information: Public parking is located to the left of the building.