This guide is for parents in the state of Maine who need someone else to take care of their children if they cannot. You might need someone to take care of your children if you know you’ll be unable to care for them because you need to leave the country, have medical issues, or are facing a jail sentence.  

The Maine court form for determining the jurisdiction for certain family law and name change cases

A fill-able .pdf of Maine court form PB-03, the Jurisdictional Affidavit that must be filed in District court with any adoption, minor guardianship, or minor name change case.

This is a fillable template of a motion to waive a home study for a second-parent adoption.

This is the Maine form for keeping your address confidential when filing for a Protection from Abuse order. Use this form if you don't want the abuser to know your address.

The Maine form for providing information to the court for serving a Protection from Abuse order

The Maine form for getting a Protection from Abuse court order

The Family Law and Victim Rights Unit at Pine Tree Legal Assistance provides statewide coverage for the civil legal needs of victim/survivors of sexual assault. In many areas of the state, the Family Law and Victim Rights Unit also provides civil legal services to victim/survivors of domestic violence.

How do I know if my child’s sexual behavior is normal or a sign of abuse?  As a caregiver, you may be worried about a child if they start displaying sexualized behaviors. Your instinct may be to think something has happened to the child, but that is not always the case. Some child sexualized behavior is healthy.

How does domestic violence affect children? Violence and trauma can have long-lasting effects on children who witness or experience violent events.