Hillsborough County Divorce Attorney

How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in New Hampshire?

The length of divorce is going to vary case by case depending on the complexity of each situation. An uncontested divorce might on take 2-3 months to resolve, while a contested divorce could take several months or even years to be finally resolved. Once the main issues are settled (such as property division, support, custody, etc.), then the divorce is often complete within 2-8 weeks.

When a decision is made to divorce, whether it is your decision or your spouse’s decision, it is important that you receive all the information you need in order to make appropriate decisions about your future. Our skilled attorneys at Brennan Lehehan Iacopino & Hickey are backed by more than four decades of experience and the resources of a family law firm that has served clients throughout New Hampshire since 1975. In that time, we have established ourselves as a firm equipped to get results. We fight hard for our clients and design our legal services to meet their needs.

How Do I File for Divorce in New Hampshire?

1. File a Divorce Petition: The first step towards filing for divorce in New Hampshire is to file a petition with the court in the county where you or your spouse live. This petition will outline the reasons for the divorce and details of any agreements that have already been made between the two parties, such as child custody and support, alimony payments, etc.
2. Serve Your Spouse: Once you’ve filed your petition, you must legally “serve” it to your spouse by having a third-party hand them a copy of all relevant documents. This can be done by mail or in person.
3. Respond to Your Spouse's Response: After being served with the petition, your spouse must respond and agree or disagree with the terms outlined in the petition.
4. Attend a Final Hearing: If both parties can’t come to an agreement then they must attend a final hearing before the court where each side presents their case and the judge will decide on any issues that haven’t been resolved outside of court. The judge may also consider any other factors relevant to the case, such as testimony from witnesses or experts.
5. Draft a Divorce Decree: If all matters are resolved by the court then you and your spouse can submit a Divorce Decree which outlines all agreements reached between the two parties and is signed by a judge. This document is legally binding and once it has been signed both parties must abide by its rulings.
6. File the Divorce Decree: After the Divorce Decree has been signed, you must file it with the court in order to make the divorce final. Once this is done, your marriage will be officially over and you will be legally divorced.

How Much Does a Divorce Cost in New Hampshire?

The cost of divorce will also vary in New Hampshire depending on the complexities of the case and how long it takes. Cases that are litigated will have a higher cost than uncontested divorce due to legal fees. At Brennan Lenehan Iacopino & Hickey, we take the time to explain the process you face and provide a general overview of New Hampshire law on divorce at your initial interview. From the start to the finish of your case, you can count on consistent communication, thorough case preparation, and dedicated representation.

What are the grounds for divorce in NH?

In New Hampshire, most couples get divorced on “no-fault” grounds, meaning that they have irreconcilable differences that have caused the breakdown of the marriage and that the marriage cannot be salvaged.

The following is a sample of other grounds for divorce:

• Domestic violence
• Adultery
• Drunkenness for a minimum of two years
• Dangerous conduct

What If My Spouse Does Not Want a Divorce?

It is still possible to move forward with a divorce, even if your spouse does not want to get one. In some cases, this prolongs the divorce process, but it does not make it impossible. Our goal throughout this process is to be a strong support and source of guidance for you. Divorce can be a difficult process both logistically and emotionally, and we are here to alleviate some of that burden and help you move forward from your present circumstances with confidence.