Maine Child Custody State Law

Title 19-A, Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, Section 1653 (19-A M.R.S.A. See. 1653).

Encouraging mediated resolutions of disputes between parents is in the best interest of minor children. An agreement for shared parental rights and responsibilities will be granted unless there is substantial evidence that it should not be ordered. The court may award reasonable rights of contact with a child to a third person. The order must include: allocated parental rights and responsibilities, shared parental rights and responsibilities (and shared or primary residential
care) or sole parental rights and responsibilities, according to the best intetest of the child. Consideration of the best interest of the child includes: the age of the child; the relationship of the child with the child’s parents and any other persons who may significantly affect the child’s welfare; the preference of the child, if old enough to express a meaningful preference; the duration and adequacy of the child’s current living arrangements and the desirability of maintaining continuity; the stability of any proposed living arrangements for the child; the. motivation of the parties involved and their capacities to give the child love, affection and guidance; the child’s adjustment to the child’s present home, school and community; the capacity of each parent to allow and encourage frequent and continuing contact between the child and the other parent, including physical access; the capacity of each parent to cooperate or to learn to cooperate in child care; methods for assisting parental cooperation and resolving disputes and each parent’s willingness to use those methods; the effect on the child if one parent has sole authority over the child’s upbringing; the existence of domestic abuse between the parents, in the past or currently, and how that abuse affects: the child emotionally and the safety of the child; the existence of any history of child abuse by a parent; all other factors having a reasonable bearing on the physical and psychological well-being of the child. Special conditions will be applied in cases of domestic violence.

Fathers Rights Blog | Child Custody State Law List .. Above info from a 2004 legal publication.
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