Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 19-A, § 1844 (2025)
1. Determination binding; signatories and parties Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a determination of parentage is binding on:
A. All signatories to an acknowledgment of parentage or denial of parentage as provided in subchapter 3; and
[PL 2021, c. 141, §1 (AMD).]
B. All parties to an adjudication by a court acting under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of section 2961.
[PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
[PL 2021, c. 141, §1 (AMD).]
2. Adjudication in divorce, annulment or legal separation proceeding or proceeding to establish parental rights In a proceeding for divorce, for legal separation, to annul a marriage or to establish parental rights and responsibilities, the court is deemed to have made an adjudication of the parentage of a child if the court acts under circumstances that satisfy the jurisdictional requirements of section 2961 and the final order:
A. Expressly identifies a child as a "child of the parties" or "issue of the marriage" or by similar words indicates that the parties are the parents of the child; or
[PL 2023, c. 25, §2 (AMD).]
B. Provides for support of the child by the parent or parents.
[PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
[PL 2023, c. 25, §2 (AMD).]
3. Determination a defense Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a determination of parentage may be a defense in a subsequent proceeding seeking to adjudicate parentage by an individual who was not a party to the earlier proceeding.
[PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
4. Challenge to adjudication A party to an adjudication of parentage may challenge the adjudication only by appeal or in a manner otherwise consistent with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure.
[PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF).]
PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. A, §1 (NEW). PL 2015, c. 296, Pt. D, §1 (AFF). PL 2021, c. 141, §1 (AMD). PL 2023, c. 25, §2 (AMD).