New Hampshire Divorce with Children
Everything you need to know about divorce with children in New Hampshire — custody types, child support guidelines, parenting plans, and protecting your children through the process. Updated for 2026.
Types of Custody in New Hampshire
Legal Custody
The right to make major decisions about your child's education, healthcare, religion, and welfare.
Physical Custody
Determines where the child lives on a day-to-day basis and the parenting time schedule.
"Best Interests of the Child" Factors
New Hampshire courts consider multiple factors when determining custody arrangements:
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Divorce.ai helps you build a comprehensive parenting plan that meets New Hampshire court requirements.
Child Support in New Hampshire
New Hampshire uses the income shares model under RSA 458-C. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and each parent's obligation is proportional to their share of combined income. The guidelines provide for adjustments based on health insurance, childcare costs, and the parenting schedule. Support typically continues until the child is 18 or has graduated from high school, whichever occurs later (RSA 461-A:14, IV).
Official New Hampshire child support calculator →Factors Considered
Additional Forms Required (Children)
| Form | Name |
|---|---|
| NHJB-2101-FP | Child Support Guidelines Worksheet |
| Parenting Plan | Parenting Plan |
Mandatory Parenting Course
New Hampshire requires both parents to complete a parenting education course when filing for divorce with minor children.
Under RSA 458-D, all parties with minor children in divorce cases must complete the four-hour Child Impact Program (CIP). The program covers the effects of divorce on children, conflict resolution, and co-parenting skills. Cost is approximately $75 per parent.
Typical cost: $75
Protect your children through the process
Divorce.ai helps you create a child-focused parenting plan and prepares all custody-related New Hampshire forms.
What Goes in a Parenting Plan?
A comprehensive parenting plan should cover:
Regular Parenting Schedule
Week-by-week schedule of where the child lives and when transitions occur.
Holiday & Vacation Schedule
How holidays, school breaks, and vacation time are divided between parents.
Decision-Making Authority
Who makes decisions about education, healthcare, extracurriculars, and religious upbringing.
Communication Rules
How the child communicates with the non-custodial parent (phone, video calls, etc.).
Transportation & Exchange
Who handles pickups/dropoffs and where exchanges occur.
Dispute Resolution
How disagreements about the parenting plan will be resolved (mediation first, then court).
Relocation Rules
Notice requirements and procedure if either parent wants to move.
Tips for Protecting Your Children During Divorce
Never speak negatively about the other parent in front of your children. It puts them in the middle and can harm your custody case.
Maintain routines. Keep school, activities, and daily routines as consistent as possible during the transition.
Communicate openly with your children in age-appropriate ways. Let them know the divorce is not their fault.
Consider counseling. A child therapist can help children process their emotions during this time.