New Hampshire Divorce Resources
Find everything you need to know about New Hampshire divorce below. You can also look up divorce lawyers and professionals, separation and divorce forms, child support calculators, and relevant divorce laws. In addition to the resources listed below, you can find more help and information in our divorce article section.
ProfessionalsDivorce LawyersFinancial Analysts Private Investigators Background Checks Divorce SupportSupport GroupsDomestic ViolenceShelters and Hotlines |
Divorce PapersOnline DivorceDivorce and Separation Forms Divorce Form Preparation Family Law ResourcesDivorce LawsChild Support Guidelines NH Child Support Calculator NH Child Support Enforcement |
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DIVORCE LAWYERS AND FIRMS
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Have All of Your Documents Completed For You! This easy to use, accurate, and up-to-date on-line divorce service is a perfect "do it yourself (without a lawyer)" solution for any uncontested divorce (with or without children) that will be filed in the state of New Hampshire. You can get "Real Person" customer support by phone & e-mail, plus access to 40 downloadable books (valued at over $750). Start your New Hampshire divorce today.
CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYSTS
McNamara Financial Strategies Group of Wachovia SecuritiesTimothy M. McNamara & Tracey Marie Manzi
130 Turner Street Bldg. #3, 8th Floor
Waltham, MA 02453
Area served: All counties within MA, RI, NH and VT
Phone: (781) 472-7838
Fax: (781) 472-7880
PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS
There are currently no private investigators for this state
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Conduct Background Checks and Investigations - Obtain vital statistics, marriage and divorce records, credit record checks, criminal and court records, sex offender searches, driving and vehicle records, property records, general public records, business registration and property resources. Find out the truth about anyone!
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS
Divorce Care can help you locate a divorce support group in your area. There are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the USA and Canada, and many groups meeting internationally as well.
Partners in Prevention provides consulting and psychological services to
domestic abuse survivors before, during and post divorce. Additionally, we serve
as consulting experts in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. We
also offer continuing medical and nursing education in domestic abuse assessment
and clinical management to healthcare professionals. You can contact us at:
13918 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-222-1058
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
Domestic Violence Crisis and Support ServicesShelters and Hotlines
Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence - New Hampshire Chapter
NEW HAMPSHIRE DIVORCE LAW SUMMARY
Divorce and Separation in NH - A pamphlet by the NH Bar AssociationNew Hampshire Revised Divorce Statutes
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND WHERE TO FILE: Both parties must be domiciled in the state when the action is commenced, and the filing spouse must be a resident for at least 1 year.
All divorce petitions shall be brought in the county in which either party lives and before the superior court of that county. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapters: 458:5 and 458:9]
LEGAL GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE: A divorce from the bonds of matrimony may be granted on the following grounds:
- No Fault - Irreconcilable differences which have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.
- Fault - A divorce from the bonds of matrimony shall be decreed in favor of the innocent party for any of the following causes:
- Impotency of either party.
- Adultery of either party.
- Extreme cruelty of either party to the other.
- Conviction of either party, in any state or federal district, of a crime punishable with imprisonment for more than one year and actual imprisonment under such conviction.
- When either party has so treated the other as seriously to injure health or endanger reason.
- When either party has been absent 2 years together, and has not been heard of.
- When either party is an habitual drunkard, and has been such for 2 years together.
- When either party has joined any religious sect or society which professes to believe the relation of husband and wife unlawful, and has refused to cohabit with the other for 6 months together.
- When either party, without sufficient cause, and without the consent of the other, has abandoned and refused, for 2 years together, to cohabit with the other. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapters: 458:7 and 458:7-a]
LEGAL SEPARATION: In any case in which a divorce might be decreed, the superior court, on petition of either party, may decree a legal separation of the parties, which separation shall have in all respects the effect of a divorce, except that the parties shall not thereby be made free to marry any third person and except as hereinafter provided. A person concerning whom a legal separation has been decreed may file a motion to amend the decree to one of divorce. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapter: 458:26]
MEDIATION OR COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS: In the event of any action the court shall, no later than the respondent's filing of an appearance, require the parties to attend a 4-hour information session. This session shall be a seminar on how to help the children deal with the issues surrounding divorce, separation, and the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities.
In all cases involving disputed parental rights and responsibilities or grandparents' visitation rights, including requests for modification of prior orders, the court may order the parties to participate in mediation.
Whenever, before or during a hearing but before a final decree, the court shall determine that there is a likelihood for rehabilitation of the marriage relationship, the court shall refer the parties to an appropriate counseling agency within its jurisdiction, which referral may be made according to RSA 167-B or as the parties request, with the approval of the court. If the court determines that there is a reasonable possibility of reconciliation, the court shall continue the proceedings and require that both parties submit to marriage counseling. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapters: 458-D:2 , 458:7-b, and 461-A:7]
PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION: New Hampshire is an equitable distribution state, meaning that the court tries to distribute property equitably between the parties. The court shall presume that an equal division is an equitable distribution of property, unless the court decides that an equal division would not be appropriate or equitable after considering one or more of the following factors: (a) The duration of the marriage. (b) The age, health, social or economic status, occupation, vocational skills, employability, separate property, amount and sources of income, needs and liabilities of each party. (c) The opportunity of each party for future acquisition of capital assets and income. (d) The ability of the custodial parent, if any, to engage in gainful employment without substantially interfering with the interests of any minor children in the custody of said party. (e) The need of the custodial parent, if any, to occupy or own the marital residence and to use or own its household effects. (f) The actions of either party during the marriage which contributed to the growth or diminution in value of property owned by either or both of the parties. (g) Significant disparity between the parties in relation to contributions to the marriage, including contributions to the care and education of the children and the care and management of the home. (h) Any direct or indirect contribution made by one party to help educate or develop the career or employability of the other party and any interruption of either party's educational or personal career opportunities for the benefit of the other's career or for the benefit of the parties' marriage or children. (i) The expectation of pension or retirement rights acquired prior to or during the marriage. (j) The tax consequences for each party. (k) The value of property that is allocated by a valid prenuptial contract made in good faith by the parties. (l) The fault of either party as specified in RSA 458:7 if said fault caused the breakdown of the marriage and: (1) Caused substantial physical or mental pain and suffering; or (2) Resulted in substantial economic loss to the marital estate or the injured party. (m) The value of any property acquired prior to the marriage and property acquired in exchange for property acquired prior to the marriage. (n) The value of any property acquired by gift, devise, or descent. (o) Any other factor that the court deems relevant. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapter: 458:16-a]
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ALIMONY/MAINTENANCE/SPOUSAL SUPPORT: Upon motion of either
party for alimony payments, the court shall make orders for the payment of
alimony to the party in need of alimony, either temporary or permanent, for a
definite or indefinite period of time, if the motion for alimony payments is
made within 5 years of the decree of nullity or divorce and the court finds
that:
- The party in need lacks sufficient income, property, or both, including property apportioned in accordance with RSA 458:16-a, to provide for such party's reasonable needs, taking into account the style of living to which the parties have become accustomed during the marriage;
- The party from whom alimony is sought is able to meet reasonable needs while meeting those of the party seeking alimony, taking into account the style of living to which the parties have become accustomed during the marriage; and
- The party in need is unable to be self-supporting through appropriate employment at a standard of living that meets reasonable needs or is allocated parental rights and responsibilities under RSA 461-A for a child of the parties whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate that the parent not seek employment outside the home.
In determining the amount of alimony, the court shall consider the length of the marriage; the age, health, social or economic status, occupation, amount and sources of income, the property awarded in the divorce settlement, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities, and needs of each of the parties; the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income; the fault of either party; and the federal tax consequences of the order. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapter: 458:19]
SPOUSE'S NAME: In any proceeding under this chapter, except an action for legal separation, the court may, when a decree of divorce or nullity is made, restore a former name of the spouse, regardless of whether a request therefore had been included in the petition. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapter: 458:24]
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CHILD CUSTODY: In determining parental rights and responsibilities
under this section, including residential responsibility, the court shall not
apply a preference for one parent over the other because of the sex of the
child, the sex of a parent, or the financial resources of a parent. In
determining parental rights and responsibilities, the court shall be guided by
the best interests of the child, and shall consider the following factors:
- The relationship of the child with each parent and the ability of each parent to provide the child with nurture, love, affection, and guidance.
- The ability of each parent to assure that the child receives adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and a safe environment.
- The child's developmental needs and the ability of each parent to meet them, both in the present and in the future.
- The quality of the child's adjustment to the child's school and community and the potential effect of any change.
- The ability and disposition of each parent to foster a positive relationship and frequent and continuing physical, written, and telephonic contact with the other parent, except where contact will result in harm to the child or to a parent.
- The support of each parent for the child's contact with the other parent as shown by allowing and promoting such contact.
- The support of each parent for the child's relationship with the other parent.
- The relationship of the child with any other person who may significantly affect the child.
- The ability of the parents to communicate, cooperate with each other, and make joint decisions concerning the children.
- Any evidence of abuse, as defined in RSA 173-B:1, I or RSA 169-C:3, II, and the impact of the abuse on the child and on the relationship between the child and the abusing parent.
- If a parent is incarcerated, the reason for and the length of the incarceration, and any unique issues that arise as a result of incarceration.
- Any other additional factors the court deems relevant.
If the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that a minor child is of sufficient maturity to make a sound judgment, the court may give substantial weight to the preference of the mature minor child as to the determination of parental rights and responsibilities. Under these circumstances, the court shall also give due consideration to other factors which may have affected the minor child's preference, including whether the minor child's preference was based on undesirable or improper influences. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapters: 461-A:6]
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CHILD SUPPORT: Both parents are responsible for the economic
support of the children, and the percentage of net income paid for
child support should vary according to the number of children and,
with limited exemptions, not according to income level, as determined
by the New Hampshire child support guidelines.
All support orders shall provide for the assignment of the wages of the responsible parent pursuant to RSA 458-B, subject to the exceptions listed in RSA 458-B:2. The amount of a child support obligation shall remain as stated in the order until all dependent children for whom support is ordered shall terminate their high school education or reach the age of 18 years, whichever is later, or become married, or become a member of the armed services, at which time the child support obligation, including all educational support obligations, terminates without further legal action. This amount shall remain as specified unless a legal order expressly allocates the payments on a per child basis. If the order involves a disabled child, the court shall specify the duration of the order, which may be beyond the time when the child reaches the age of 18. No child support order shall require a parent to contribute to an adult child's college expenses or other educational expenses beyond the completion of high school. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapters: 458-C:1, 458-C:3, and 461-A:14]
PREMARITAL AGREEMENT: A man and woman in contemplation of marriage may enter into a written interspousal contract and the courts of this state shall give the same effect to such contracts entered in other jurisdictions as would the courts of that other jurisdiction. However, no contract otherwise enforceable under this section may contain any term which attempts to abrogate the statutory or common law rights of minor children of the contemplated marriage. [Based on New Hampshire Statutes - Chapter: 460:2-a] » Return to top
