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.  

This is a guide for adults in the state of Maine who want to change their legal name and/or gender marker. This guide is especially written for trans or gender non-conforming people - but can be used by any adult who needs a name change!

The Maine Probate court form for a name change for a child. Formerly CN-2, it is now called NC-001.

This is the Maine Probate Court form for an adult name change.

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.

What is the Maine Home Court Act?  The Home Court Act is a Maine law passed in 2016. It is meant to prevent more than one case about the same child from happening in different courts. Courts use a “Jurisdictional Affidavit” to find out about all of the cases involving a child and determine where your case should be addressed.  

How can a family member or other responsible adult become the legal guardian of a child whose parents are unable or unwilling to care for them?

Esta guía es para los padres del estado de Maine que necesitan que otra persona cuide de sus hijos cuando ellos no pueden hacerlo. Es posible que necesite a alguien que cuide de sus hijos en caso de que no pueda ocuparse de ellos porque necesita salir del país, tiene problemas médicos o enfrenta una sentencia de prisión.