Title 19-A, §903: Preliminary injunction, effect; attachment or trustee process

1. Issue of preliminary injunction. In all actions for divorce or for spousal or child support following divorce by a court that lacked personal jurisdiction over the absent spouse, the clerk of the court, pursuant to order of the District Court, shall issue a preliminary injunction in the following manner.

A. The preliminary injunction must bear the signature or facsimile signature of the clerk, be under the seal of the court, contain the name of the court and the names of the parties and state the name and address of the plaintiff's attorney. The preliminary injunction may be obtained in blank from the clerk and must be filled out by the plaintiff's attorney. The plaintiff's attorney is responsible for serving this preliminary injunction, along with the summons and complaint, on the defendant. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

B. The preliminary injunction must be directed to each party to the action and must contain the following orders:

(1) That each party is enjoined from transferring, encumbering, concealing, selling or otherwise disposing of the property of either or both of the parties, except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, without the written consent of the parties or the permission of the court;

(2) That each party is enjoined from imposing restraint on the personal liberty of the other party or of a biological or adopted child of either or both of the parties; and

(3) That each party is enjoined from voluntarily removing the other party or a child of the parties from a policy of health insurance that provides coverage for the other party or the child of the parties. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

C. The preliminary injunction must include the following statement:

"Warning

This is an official court order. If you disobey this order the court may find you in contempt of court.

This court order is effective until the earliest of the following:

(1) The court revokes or modifies it;

(2) A final divorce judgment or decree of judicial separation is entered; or

(3) The action is dismissed." [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

D. The preliminary injunction is effective against the plaintiff upon the commencement of the action and against the defendant upon service of a copy of both the complaint and order in accordance with the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. The plaintiff is deemed to have accepted service of the plaintiff's copy of the preliminary injunction and to have actual notice of its contents by filing or causing the complaint to be served. The plaintiff shall cause a copy of the preliminary injunction to be served upon the defendant with a copy of the summons and complaint. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

E. The preliminary injunction has the force and effect of an order of a Judge of the Probate Court or District Court or Justice of Superior Court and is enforceable by all remedies made available by law, including contempt of court. The order remains in effect until entry of a final decree, until the case is dismissed or until otherwise ordered by the court. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

[ 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §30 (AMD); 1999, c. 731, Pt. ZZZ, §42 (AFF) .]

2. Revocation or modification. A preliminary injunction may be revoked or modified after hearing for good cause shown. The party seeking to revoke or modify the preliminary injunction shall file a motion together with an affidavit that demonstrates the good cause necessary for revocation or modification.

A. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on 7 days' notice to the other party or on shorter notice as the court may order, either party subject to an order may appear and move the dissolution or modification of the order, and in that event the court shall proceed to hear and determine the motion as expeditiously as justice requires. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

B. Mediation is not required before a hearing on a motion to revoke or modify a preliminary injunction except as directed by the court. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

C. A preliminary injunction does not prejudice the rights of the parties or a child that are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in the proceeding and does not limit the power of the court to issue other injunctive relief that may be proper under the circumstances. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]

D. A preliminary injunction terminates when:

(1) The court revokes or modifies it;

(2) A final divorce judgment or decree of judicial separation is entered; or

(3) The action is dismissed. [1995, c. 694, Pt. B, §2 (NEW); 1995, c. 694, Pt. E, §2 (AFF).]