{"data":{"id":"us-me/19-a-m.r.s.-4104","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"19-A M.R.S. §4104","heading":"Commencement of a proceeding","body":"1.  Venue and jurisdiction.  Proceedings under this chapter must be filed, heard and determined in the District Court of the division:\nA.  In which the plaintiff or defendant resides; or\nB.  If the plaintiff has left the plaintiff's residence to avoid abuse, of the plaintiff's previous residence or new residence.\nIf 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.\n2.  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.","path":["TITLE 19-A: DOMESTIC RELATIONS","PART 4: PROTECTION FROM ABUSE","CHAPTER 103: PROTECTION FROM ABUSE"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/19-A/title19-Asec4104.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:29Z","sha256":"46ab1f6d95c9be3b6ff1f511c81f0498581f1c344c563848b142c818c8a3c24e","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/19-a-m.r.s.-4103","next":"us-me/19-a-m.r.s.-4105"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}