Community Property in Maine
State-specific overview · Family Law
Maine does not recognize community property; courts divide marital property equitably based on statutory factors, not equal ownership.
How Maine treats Community Property
Maine is an equitable distribution state where property acquired during marriage is divided fairly but not necessarily 50/50 upon divorce. Courts consider factors including each spouse's contribution to the marriage, income, and earning potential when determining a just and proper division. Maine law does not grant automatic equal ownership of marital property to both spouses; instead, fairness and individual circumstances guide the division process.
The general definition of Community Property
Property acquired during marriage that is owned equally by both spouses, regardless of who earned it.
Community property is a legal system used in certain states where most assets and income earned during a marriage belong equally to both spouses. It doesn't matter whose name is on the title or who earned the money—the law presumes it's jointly owned. When the marriage ends, community property is typically divided equally between the spouses. Separate property (owned before marriage or inherited) stays with the original owner.
Read the full Community Property entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Maine.