A spouse generally may file for divorce in the state and county in which the spouse resides—or in which the other spouse resides. In many states the spouse must have lived in the state or county for a specified period of time before filing for divorce.
Laws regarding this residency requirement and where a lawsuit for divorce may be filed vary from state to state and with circumstances in which the spouses share minor children.
Laws regarding the requirements for filing for divorce are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the family code or domestic relations code.
In Maine, a spouse seeking a divorce must adhere to certain residency requirements as per the state's statutes. At least one of the spouses must be a resident of Maine for a minimum of six months before filing for divorce. Additionally, the divorce should be filed in the county where either spouse resides. If the defendant spouse is a resident of Maine, the plaintiff can file for divorce in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is not a resident, the plaintiff can file in the county where they reside. When minor children are involved, additional considerations may apply, and the presence of children in the state can also affect jurisdiction. These requirements are outlined in Maine's family code or domestic relations code, which provides the legal framework for divorce proceedings in the state.