WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: Maine

Statutes: Maine

View all
Updated: 
October 4, 2024

§ 4104. Commencement of a proceeding

1. Venue and jurisdiction. Proceedings under this chapter must be filed, heard and determined in the District Court of the division:

A. In which the plaintiff or defendant resides; or

B. If the plaintiff has left the plaintiff’s residence to avoid abuse, of the plaintiff’s previous residence or new residence.

 

If a District Court Judge is not available in the division in which a complaint requesting a temporary order is to be filed, the complaint may be presented to another District Court Judge or to any Superior Court Justice. A Superior Court Justice has the same authority as a District Court Judge to grant or deny the temporary order.

2. Filing. A person may seek relief by filing a complaint alleging the abuse or conduct that makes the plaintiff eligible to seek protection pursuant to section 4103. The complaint need only include a short and plain statement showing that the plaintiff is entitled to relief.

Legal Information

© 2008–2024 WomensLaw.org is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc. All rights reserved. This website is funded in part through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). NNEDV is a 501©(3) non-profit organization; EIN 52-1973408.