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New Hampshire Marital Settlement (Divorce) Agreement

A New Hampshire marital settlement agreement is a document detailing the terms of a couple's divorce. The terms govern the division of property, the rights and obligations of each party, and the determination of alimony and child support. This agreement can help expedite the divorce proceedings and avoid leaving these decisions to the court.
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Divorce Laws

Alimony

The following factors are considered by the court while making alimony adjustments:[1]

  • Health of either party
  • Degree and duration of financial dependency
  • Occupation and benefits thereof, and future employability
  • Voluntary unemployment
  • Special needs of dependent
  • Property awarded under § 458:16-a
  • Conduct of parties during marriage
  • Benefits under certain insurance programs
  • Diminution of significant assets
  • Any other reason the court deems relevant

Alimony Calculator – calculators.law

Child Support

Child support is based on income shares; the amounts shall be calculated by the department of health and human services using the guidelines in § 458-C:3(I)(a).[2]

Child Support CalculatorDepartment of Health and Human Services

Division of Property

New Hampshire is an equitable distribution state. The courts will divide property equally unless they determine this is not an appropriate or equitable division due to any of the factors mentioned in § 458:16-a(II).[3]

Grounds for Divorce

Either spouse may petition for divorce for any of the following reasons:[4]

  • Impotency
  • Adultery
  • Extreme cruelty
  • Conviction of a crime punishable with imprisonment for more than one (1) year
  • Caused injury to health or endangerment
  • Missing for two (2) years without contact
  • Alcoholic for a period of two (2) years or more
  • Being part of a religious sect or society that considers marriage unlawful, and has refused to cohabit for six (6) months
  • Refusal to cohabit, without cause or consent, for two (2) years

Interim Support

After a divorce petition has been filed, the court may issue temporary or permanent conditions or limitations for one of the parties. This includes determining temporary custody of any minor children, as long as the parent’s sex is not a determining factor,[5] and ordering a temporary allowance from one party to another.[6][7]

Residency

The party filing the divorce must have lived in a New Hampshire residence for one (1) year preceding the date of filing.[8]

Separation

Spouses are not required to be separated for any length of time prior to filing for divorce.

Divorce Forms

How to File for Divorce in New Hampshire (5 steps)

1. File Petition for Divorce

New Hampshire Joint Petition for divorce form featured on an iPad screenThe spouses may choose to file a Joint Petition, enabling them to avoid the cost of formal service of legal papers to the non-petitioning spouse. Filing a joint petition does not necessarily mean the parties agree on the division of assets or child custody. Both spouses in this case will also need to complete a Personal Data Sheet. If the couple does not file a joint petition, one spouse can file a Petition for Divorce with their Personal Data Sheet and send the divorce papers by certified mail to their spouse. These forms must be filed with the Circuit Court Family Division along with a $250 filing fee.

2. Mandatory Disclosures

The spouses must exchange financial information and other important documents, as is required under Rule 1.25-A. These documents do not have to be filed with the court, but a Financial Affidavit must be completed by each spouse and filed with the court.

3. First Appearance

After a petition is filed, a judge will go over the divorce proceedings with the spouses. This is not a hearing, and lawyers needn’t be present. If minor children are a factor of the divorce, the judge will explain the Child Impact Seminar, parenting plans, guardian ad litem (if necessary), and child support. Regardless of whether or not children are involved, mediation will be discussed and should be the next step in the process.

4. Mediation (If Necessary)

A couple going through a divorce sitting with a mediator If the spouses can agree on the division of assets, property, and debts, as well as child custody and support, mediation is not necessary, and a New Hampshire Marital Settlement Agreement can be completed and filed with the court (if required). Otherwise, the court system offers mediation options for the spouses. A mediator (neutral party) will be assigned to help the parties agree upon all matters regarding their divorce. Failure to come to an agreement will result in a hearing in front of the judge, who will issue temporary orders based on presentations by both parties until the judge decides the remaining issues for them.

5. Final Forms

A state of New Hampshire legal separation form being held by a personTo complete the divorce proceedings, the spouses must file a Certificate of Divorce and a Final Decree. If minor children were involved, the parties must also file their Certificates of Attendance of the Child Impact Seminar, a Parenting Plan, a Uniform Support Order, and a Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. The Final Decree can be used to notify the court that one or both of the parties intend on resuming the use of their former name. Establishing the name change in the decree could help the spouse avoid filing another petition with the court to legally change their name.

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