New Hampshire Family Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced New Hampshire family law attorneys who can navigate New Hampshire’s all-property equitable distribution.

Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
Matched with a New Hampshire attorney in 24 hours
30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide

Free New Hampshire family law case review

A New Hampshire attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.

How we match your New Hampshire family law case

When you submit a New Hampshire family law matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A family law matter needs someone who handles family law work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Jurisdiction and licensing

Your matter is decided under New Hampshire law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in New Hampshire who regularly appears where your case would be heard.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

Get started How DearLegal works

DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Exhibit A

What happens with a family law claim in New Hampshire

Day 0
You decide to act.
Separation, custody, support or a modification. Gather financials, the children’s schedules and any agreements or orders that already exist.
Within 24 hours
Tell us what happened.
Two minutes on this page. A New Hampshire family law attorney reviews it for free and, if it’s a fit, you’re matched within 24 hours.
Weeks 1–4
Filing and disclosures.
The petition is filed and both sides exchange financial disclosures. Temporary orders for custody or support can be requested early in New Hampshire.
Months 1–6
Negotiation or mediation.
Most cases settle here — parenting plans, division of property, support. Your attorney negotiates from the disclosures, not from guesses.
If it doesn’t settle
Hearing or trial.
Contested issues go before a judge. Preparation matters more than argument; your attorney builds the file for it from day one.
Resolution
Final order.
Fees are quoted before you commit — hourly or a retainer, spelled out in writing at the free consultation.

Residency Requirement: 1 year
1 year for both, or both at filing if one is NH resident (RSA 458:5)
Property Division System: All-property equitable
All-property equitable distribution with presumption of equal division (RSA 458:16-a)
Custody Standard: Parental rights
Parental rights and responsibilities under best-interests factors (RSA 461-A:6)
Child Support Guidelines: Income Shares
Income Shares model — RSA 458-C (Child Support Guidelines)
Spousal Support Framework: Alimony
Alimony under RSA 458:19 — 2019 reform created a formula and duration caps
Typical attorney fee: Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee

New Hampshire allows divorce on irreconcilable differences (no-fault) under RSA 458:7-a, plus 9 fault grounds. Residency is 1 year for both spouses, or both at the time of filing if one is a NH resident (RSA 458:5). New Hampshire is an all-property equitable distribution state under RSA 458:16-a with a presumption that equal division is equitable — but the court may divide ALL property of the parties (including premarital, inherited, and gifted) equitably. Custody is now called parental rights and responsibilities under RSA 461-A with best-interests factors. New Hampshire uses Income Shares under RSA 458-C (Child Support Guidelines).

Exhibit B

When to call a family law attorney in New Hampshire

Does any of this sound like you? Tap what applies.

Exhibit C

Family Law cases we take in New Hampshire

Which one is closest to yours?

Uncontested divorce

When both spouses agree, New Hampshire allows finalization via stipulation. Limited-scope representation is common.

Sound like yours? A New Hampshire attorney reviews it free — fees are quoted upfront, before you commit.

Start my free review

Exhibit D

How much do New Hampshire family law attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

New Hampshire · Family Law

Fee modelHourly / Flat Fee

Feequoted per petition or matter

Filing costsitemized upfront

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Family Law matters in New Hampshire are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Family law cases in New Hampshire are not handled on contingency. New Hampshire Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(d)(1) — patterned on ABA Model Rule 1.5(d) — prohibits contingent fees in domestic relations matters where the fee is contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support, or property settlement. New Hampshire family law attorneys charge hourly (billed against a retainer) or a flat fee for uncontested matters. Courts may award fees under RSA 458:51.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Get startedTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit E

What your New Hampshire family law compensation can include

A New Hampshire family law recovery is built from several parts. Tap one to see what it covers.

Property Division

All-property equitable distribution under RSA 458:16-a — presumption of equal division across ALL property (including premarital, inherited, gifted).

DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Exhibit F

New Hampshire family law questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a New Hampshire attorney will review it for free.

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Uncontested divorces in New Hampshire typically finalize 60–120 days after filing. Contested cases generally take 9–18 months. New Hampshire has no mandatory waiting period from filing to decree.

Yes. New Hampshire recognizes irreconcilable differences as a no-fault ground under RSA 458:7-a. New Hampshire also retains 9 fault grounds (impotency, adultery, extreme cruelty, conviction of crime imprisoning for more than 1 year, treatment endangering health or reason, refusing to cohabit for 2 years, religious order joining, absence for 2 years without communication, habitual drunkenness for 2 years).

No pre-filing separation is required for irreconcilable differences. New Hampshire has no mandatory waiting period.

New Hampshire is an all-property equitable distribution state. Under RSA 458:16-a, ALL property of the parties (regardless of when or how acquired, including premarital, inherited, and gifted property) is subject to division. The court presumes equal division is equitable, but can deviate based on 15 statutory factors.

New Hampshire uses parental rights and responsibilities (PR&R) under RSA 461-A:6 — replacing custody terminology. Courts consider 12 best-interests factors. New Hampshire has a public policy favoring frequent and continuing contact with both parents.

New Hampshire uses Income Shares under RSA 458-C (Child Support Guidelines). Both parents’ gross incomes are applied to the schedule and prorated, with adjustments for healthcare, childcare, and parenting time.

Yes. PR&R can be modified on a substantial change in circumstances. Child support requires substantial change — typically 20%+ deviation. Alimony modification depends on the decree’s terms; the 2019 reform created clearer modification standards. Property division is final.

Family Law attorneys by city in New Hampshire

Same New Hampshire rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.

Other case types in New Hampshire

All New Hampshire practice areas →

Animal Incident attorneysNew Hampshire has a strict-liability dog-bite law — the owner pays for unprovoked bites without proof of viciousness.

Business Dispute attorneysNH enforces reasonable non-competes — and the New Hampshire Supreme Court has set the modern reasonableness factors.

Car Accident attorneysNH is the only state that doesn’t require auto liability insurance — but financial responsibility laws still apply, and most drivers carry coverage anyway.

Consumer Protection attorneysThe NH Consumer Protection Act allows actual damages, double or triple damages for willful violations, and attorney fees.

Criminal Defense attorneysNH’s sentencing rules and habitual-offender enhancements make plea positioning critical from arraignment.

Defective Product attorneysNew Hampshire holds manufacturers strictly liable for defective products — and a 12-year outer time limit cuts off older claims.

Employment attorneysThe NH Law Against Discrimination covers more than Title VII — including sexual orientation, gender identity, and atypical hereditary cellular conditions.

Immigration attorneysNH cases are heard in the Boston Immigration Court (MA, serves NH) — and growing immigrant populations in Manchester and Nashua drive case volume.

Lemon Law attorneysThe NH Lemon Law covers new vehicles within 2 years/24,000 miles — and the manufacturer pays attorney fees if you prevail.

Medical Malpractice attorneysNH med-mal claims require expert testimony — and the recently restored damages caps remain under constitutional challenge.

Personal Injury attorneysA 3-year filing deadline and a bar on recovery if you’re more than half at fault frame every NH PI case.

Slip and Fall attorneysNH premises liability turns on notice and reasonableness — and the natural-accumulation rule limits some weather-related claims, though the state supreme court has refined it.

Social Security Disability attorneysNH SSA hearing office in Manchester processes moderate volumes — First Circuit precedent shapes federal review.

Workers’ Compensation attorneysNH workers’ comp runs through the state Department of Labor — and benefits are 60% of average weekly wage up to a state cap.

New Hampshire Family Law Attorneys

How we match your New Hampshire family law case

Case type

Size and complexity

Jurisdiction and licensing

Capacity and fit

What happens with a family law claim in New Hampshire

You decide to act.

Tell us what happened.

Filing and disclosures.

Negotiation or mediation.

Hearing or trial.

Final order.

When to call a family law attorney in New Hampshire

Family Law cases we take in New Hampshire

Uncontested divorce

Contested divorce

Parental rights and responsibilities

Child support and modification

Alimony

Premarital and postnuptial agreements

Paternity actions

Adoption

Grandparent visitation rights

Domestic violence protective orders

Civil union dissolution

Military divorce

How much do New Hampshire family law attorneys cost?

What your New Hampshire family law compensation can include

Property Division

Alimony

Child Support

Custody and Parenting Time

Attorney’s Fees

Protective Orders

New Hampshire family law questions, answered

Family Law attorneys by city in New Hampshire

Other case types in New Hampshire

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