New Hampshire

Divorce Residency Requirements To Get Divorce In New Hampshire

Before you file for divorce in New Hampshire, residency must be established. Both parties must reside in the state when the divorce action is initiated, or it is possible to file if the petitioning party lives in the state for one year when the responding party is served in a different state by utilizing a process server.


Reasons For Divorce In New Hampshire

New Hampshire’s no-fault grounds for divorce are irreconcilable differences. In this case, there should be no foreseeable reconciliation between the two parties. On the other hand, New Hampshire does have thirteen fault-based divorce grounds. These include, but are not limited to, adultery, cruelty, dissertation and drug abuse. More information about these grounds are available when filling out your divorce without a lawyer paperwork on Divorce.com.


Custody Of The Children In New Hampshire

The New Hampshire state court awards child custody based on what is in the best interest of the child in contested divorce cases. In uncontested divorce cases, the court will see to it that the parents keep the best interest of the child in line, and will generally go along with any agreement designed by agreeable parties, usually leaning towards a joint legal custody agreement. If joint legal custody is not arranged, there needs to be a written stipulation crafted as to why this is not feasible.

Physical custody can be shared or split between the parents, or awarded to either parent. The key is assuring the child’s best interests are preserved. The court usually approves any agreement of the parties mutually agreed upon.


New Hampshire Child Support Guidelines

New Hampshire has standard child support guidelines that apply in almost every case, unless there are exceptional circumstances in play. These child support guidelines calculate both parties’ gross incomes and child-rearing expenses. Child support payments will usually continue until the child reaches the age of majority or graduates from high school, whichever occurs last.


Divorce Venues In New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, some counties conduct divorce proceedings in the state’s superior court system, while other counties conduct divorce proceedings in the Family Court system. Divorce cases are filed within the county where either the petitioning party or the responding party resides. More information about the venue will be found as you submit your divorce papers.


Divorce Mediation

During the divorce proceedings or before the divorce has been filed, the divorce may be able to proceed as an uncontested divorce, by resolving issues through mediation.


Filing Fees

New Hampshire state filing fees are in addition to the inexpensive divorce cost of using Divorce.com. These court filing fees may vary from county to county. For more information about these costs, we provide an easy way to look up the filing fees for your area. This ensures that you have a clear picture of all expenses specific to your situation before moving forward.