Category Archives: Family Law

Cohabitation On the Rise, But Many States Won’t Recognize It in Family Court

Many couples in New Hampshire and other states are “cohabiting,” living together and even raising children without getting legally married. Although the arrangement suits many couples who use it, it may not protect either the adults or the children in the family if the cohabitation relationship splits up. Only nine U.S. states currently recognize “common-law […]

How Easy Is It to Divorce in New Hampshire? A Fifty-State Comparison

Each U.S. state has its own procedure for divorce, and New Hampshire is no exception. Some states’ divorce processes require waiting periods, counseling, separation periods, and other steps that can add months or even years before a divorce is final. Others offer a relatively streamlined process, without requiring the couple be married or separated for […]

Mediation Offers Alternative to Litigation for Many Divorcing Couples

New Hampshire’s courts recommend that divorcing couples attempt to work out any disputes by using alternative dispute resolution methods, like mediation, before the couple goes to trial. Many couples find that mediation helps them resolve all or most of the issues they have. Mediation generally costs less than trial, and it allows a divorcing couple […]

How to Make Your New Hampshire Divorce Go Smoothly

Even couples who agree it’s time to end the marriage face a bumpy emotional road when it comes to splitting up their shared life. Fortunately, there are ways to help smooth out the process of divorce and take care of business without holding a permanent grudge, according to a recent column in The Huffington Post. First, […]

New Hampshire Divorced Couple Fight Over Daughter’s Schooling

A divorced couple has approached the New Hampshire Supreme Court to settle their disagreement on the proper way to educate their daughter, according to a recent Boston Globe article. The parents, who have joint custody of their 11-year-old daughter, have not been able to resolve their differences regarding their daughter’s schooling. From first until fourth grade, the […]

New Hampshire Divorce Mediation Offers Alternative to Trial

New Hampshire residents seeking a divorce don’t necessarily have to go through a trial to resolve their disputes. The New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s Office of Mediation and Arbitration offers an alternative means of dispute resolution, including divorce mediation. Mediation gives divorcing spouses a chance to discuss and resolve their disputes in a way that is intended to […]

Social Networking Sites May Provide Evidence in Divorce Cases

More and more divorce cases include evidence that is taken from popular social networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter, according to a recent article from MSNBC. According to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 81 percent of AAML members have handled a case in which messages taken from social networking sites were used as […]

What Happens to Property in a New Hampshire Divorce?

One of the most important steps during any divorce proceedings is deciding who will receive what. In order to decide how to split up a couple’s property, New Hampshire courts use an “equitable distribution” rule. In equitable distribution, the court does not merely split the property equally; instead, the court attempts to determine what division […]

Plan for Your Child’s Financial Future During a Divorce

New Hampshire divorce proceedings can be complex and heart-wrenching, especially when there are children involved. In addition to making custody and visitation arrangements with your children, you may wish to make plans for your children’s financial future or change plans you have already made. First, you and your spouse should consider carefully how you will support […]