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An Act To Modify the Term and Withholding Limitations for Spousal Support
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 19-A MRSA §951-A, sub-§2, ¶A, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 634, §3, is repealed.
Sec. 2.  19-A MRSA §951-A, sub-§2-A  is enacted to read:
 
2-A.  Amount of award.     Unless agreed by the parties, a court may not award more than 30% of an obligor's income under subsection 2.
Sec. 3. 19-A MRSA §951-A, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 634, §3, is amended to read:
 
3. Methods of payment; term and limitations.   The order must state the method or methods of payment that the court determines just, including, but not limited to, lump-sum and installment payments. The order must also state the term of and any limitations on the award that the court determines just, including, but not limited to:
 
A. A limit on any increases or decreases in the amount of support;
 
B. A limit on any increases or decreases in the term of support;
 
C. A limit on the method or methods of payment of support;
 
D. A limit on the payment of support related to the remarriage of the payee; and
 
E. A limit on the payment of support related to cohabitation by the payee.
 
The term of an order under this section may not exceed 4 years.
Sec. 4.  19-A MRSA §951-A, sub-§13  is enacted to read:
 
13.  Submission of financial information.     Each party shall provide annually to the court an affidavit showing that party's income and assets.
Sec. 5.  19-A MRSA §954, sub-§1, ¶G  is enacted to read:
 
G.  A withholding order may withhold up to 30% of an obligor’s disposable income for amounts owed that are not in arrearage and up to 35% of an obligor’s disposable income for amounts owed that are in arrearage.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the laws governing spousal support in divorce actions by:
1. Repealing the provision allowing the awarding of general support;
2. Unless agreed to by the parties, limiting the amount of support a court may order to no more than 30% of the obligor's income;
3. Limiting the term of a support order to 4 years;
4. Limiting the amount of a withholding order to no more than 30% of a obligor's income and, if the award is based upon an agreement of the parties, no more than 35% for amounts owed that are in arrearage; and
5. Requiring the parties annually to submit financial affidavits to the court.