Introduction
Many people with connections to the U.S. Military are unaware of current laws that are meant to help them cope with the sacrifices of military service.
Are you:
- being deployed?
- looking for spousal support from a retired service member?
- the child of a disabled veteran in need of financial aid?
This resource may be able to help! On this page you will find links to Plain English versions of selected Maine laws. Glance through the list below to see if you find a law that may apply to your military-related legal needs. If you need to find more general resources, or don't find what you need here, visit our new Military Services Homepage.
Deployment Issues
Family Concerns
- Parents on Active Duty: Legal Considerations How will your children be cared for while you're away from home? Sometimes this becomes complicated when the service member and the other parent are divorced or separated. Maine law provides several options.
- Family Military Leave Close family members can take time off work before, during or after deployments.
- The Education Compact Learn about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. It may help you with moving your children from one school to another when they need to relocate.
Work-related Concerns
- What Happens to Your Job if You Get Called to Active Duty or Required Military Training? Maine law protects you when you are in the National Guard or the Reserves of the United States Armed Forces and receive orders.
- What Happens to Your Professional or Occupational Licenses When You Get Called to Active Duty? National Guard and Reserve members are protected under Maine law.
- Using Your Military Training to Qualify for a Professional License
Legal Concerns
- What if you are scheduled to appear in court while on active duty? Both Maine and the federal government have laws regarding postponing court dates while on duty, or for other ways to participate in court when you can't physically be there.
Support for Veterans and Family Members of Veterans
- Maine Homestead Exemption for Veterans Find out if you qualify for this $6,000 property tax exemption for Maine Veterans.
- Benefits for Veterans and Their Families in State & Local Government Jobs Learn about state hiring preferences for veterans and some spouses of veterans.
- Tuition Benefits for the Families of Maine Veterans Some spouses, children and stepchildren of certain Maine veterans (deceased, permanently disabled, MIA) can attend a state-supported Maine college or vocational school tuition-free.
- Servicemembers and Veterans of any State Get Reduced Tuition in Maine Just as it sounds, no matter where you're from, veterans are eligible for reduced tuition at many state-sponsored schools in Maine.
- Maine National Guard Education Assistance Program: Members of the Maine National Guard may be eligible for full in-state tuition.
- Salute ME: This MaineHousing program provides low fixed rate mortgages to help veterans and active-duty military buy homes. You may be eligible – even if you are not a first-time homebuyer. Mortgage options are available with no points, low points, and little or no down payment.
- Using Your Military Training to Qualify for a Professional License
More Family-Related Issues
- Protection from Abuse Actions in Maine: Special Considerations When the Defendant is in the Military How Maine's Domestic Protection from Abuse law works and special rules about possessing weapons when alleged abuser in is the military.
- Military Retirement Pay and the Collection of Child and Spousal Support Ways for children and former spouses of retired servicemembers to claim support.
These are Maine laws supporting servicemembers and veterans. Many federal laws also provide support. Find more information and help for service members, veterans and families, based on federal laws, here: Stateside Legal.
Thanks to the Tibor and Anna Doby Veteran Support Fund for supporting our efforts to educate our military servicemembers and veterans about their legal rights.
July 2022
PTLA # 771