§ 19-A §951-A — Spousal support

Maine § 19-A §951-A

• Jurisdiction: Maine
• Title 19-A: DOMESTIC RELATIONS
• Part 2: MARRIED PERSONS
• Ch. 29: DIVORCE

Text

1.
Statement by court.
An order granting, denying or modifying spousal support must state:
2.
Types of spousal support.
The court may, after consideration of all factors set forth in subsection 5, award or modify spousal support for one or more of the following reasons.
3.
Methods of payment; term and limitations.
The order must state the method or methods of payment that the court determines just, including, but not limited to, lump-sum and installment payments. The order must also state the term of and any limitations on the award that the court determines just, including, but not limited to:
4.
Modification.
An award of spousal support issued before October 1, 2013 is subject to modification when it appears that justice requires unless and to the extent the order awarding or modifying spousal support expressly states that the award, in whole or in part, is not subject to future modification. An award of spousal support issued on or after October 1, 2013 is subject to modification when there is a substantial change in financial circumstances and it appears that justice requires.
5.
Factors.
The court shall consider the following factors when determining an award of spousal support:
6.
Enforcement.
The court may use all necessary legal provisions to enforce its decrees.
7.
Real estate and other property; life insurance and other security.
The court may order part of the obligated party's real estate or other property, as well as the rents, profits or income from real estate or other property, to be assigned and set out to the other party for life or for such other period determined to be just. The court may also order the obligated party to maintain life insurance or to otherwise provide security for the payment of spousal support in the event the obligation may survive the obligated party's death.
8.
Cessation upon death of payee or payor.
An order awarding, denying or modifying spousal support may provide that the award survives the death of the payee or payor, or both. Unless otherwise stated in the order awarding spousal support, the obligation to make any payment pursuant to this section ceases upon the death of either the payee or the payor with respect to any payment not yet due and owing as of the date of death.
9.
Effect of no award or termination of spousal support.
A final judgment that does not award spousal support forever precludes such an award in that action. The complete termination of a spousal support award pursuant to the terms of the award or a final post-judgment order forever precludes the reinstatement of spousal support in that action.
10.
Application.
This section applies to:
11.
Support while pending.
The trial court may make, modify or enforce an award of spousal support under this section while an action is pending, including while on appeal.
12.
Cessation upon cohabitation.

Legislative History

PL 1999, c. 634, §3 (NEW). PL 2005, c. 594, §4 (AMD). PL 2013, c. 327, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 272, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 122, §§1, 2 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. C, §§1, 2 (AMD).