An Act To Establish Guidance For Awarding General Spousal Support

This Maine bill (LD 2142) establishes clear guidelines for courts when awarding spousal support in divorce cases. It defines key terms like "length of marriage" (from wedding to divorce filing) and "spousal support income" (adjusted gross income minus child support amounts), and creates three support types, with specific rules for "General Support." The law presumes support may not be awarded for marriages under 10 years, must be indefinite for marriages over 20 years, and calculates duration using a formula (marriage years × 0.015, max 0.3). These rules directly affect divorcing couples in Maine by standardizing how courts determine support amounts and duration, though courts can override presumptions if they find it unfair.