18-C M.R.S. §9-103: Jurisdiction

1. Probate Court jurisdiction. Subject to Title 4, section 152, subsection 5‑A, the Probate Court has exclusive jurisdiction over the following:

A. Petitions for adoption;

B. Consents and reviews of withholdings of consent by persons other than a parent;

C. Surrenders and releases;

D. Termination of parental rights proceedings brought pursuant to section 9‑204;

E. Proceedings to determine the rights of putative parents of children whose adoptions or surrenders and releases are pending before the Probate Court; and

F. Reviews conducted pursuant to section 9‑205.

2. District Court jurisdiction. The District Court has jurisdiction to conduct hearings pursuant to section 9‑205. The District Court has jurisdiction over any matter described in subsection 1 if the proceeding concerns a child over whom the District Court has exclusive jurisdiction pursuant to Title 4, section 152, subsection 5‑A.