Child Support in New Hampshire
If you are the custodial parent and the other parent is not contributing, the financial pressure can feel overwhelming. Missed payments can impact everything from rent and groceries to school supplies and medical expenses, placing your child’s well-being at risk.
Fortunately, New Hampshire law provides a clear process for establishing, enforcing, and modifying child support. You can secure the financial support your child deserves and hold the non-paying parent accountable with the help of a knowledgeable attorney.
What Is New Hampshire Child Support?
Child support is the legal obligation for one parent to financially contribute to the upbringing of their child. This responsibility continues as the child grows, ensuring their basic needs are met. If you are the custodial parent, the court presumes that your child’s needs are covered while they live with you.
However, if your son or daughter primarily resides with the other parent, the court may require you to make child support payments. In New Hampshire, the Family Division of the Circuit Court handles all child custody and child support cases.
In New Hampshire, payments generally continue until the child reaches the age of majority. Exceptions exist, including situations where the child is legally emancipated or enters active military duty. Additionally, parents may be required to continue support past the age of majority if the child has special needs.
Terminating Rights
Many parents wonder if they can terminate their parental rights to avoid paying child support. In most cases, states do not allow a parent to voluntarily end this responsibility unless specific conditions are met. A court will only approve a termination if it aligns with the child’s best interests and legal requirements.
In New Hampshire, the court can terminate parental rights for several reasons. Grounds include:
- Mental illness or incapacity that prevents proper care of the child
- Abandonment or willful neglect of the child
- Sexual assault, physical abuse, or repeated neglect
- Conviction for murder or manslaughter of another child of the parent
Parents wishing to voluntarily surrender their rights may use the Termination of Parental Rights Form provided by the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, along with a filing checklist. However, courts rarely approve termination unless it involves adoption or another compelling circumstance.
If you believe the other parent has failed to meet their support obligations, it is essential to seek immediate legal assistance from an experienced New Hampshire child support lawyer who can protect your rights and your child’s financial security.
How a New Hampshire Child Support Attorney Can Help You
If you are struggling to receive child support, an attorney can guide you through your legal options and help you make the best decisions for your child’s well-being.
Many parents face ongoing difficulties with non-paying co-parents. By working with a skilled and dedicated lawyer, you gain professional guidance through the court process. This can increase your likelihood of securing payments and reducing the financial burden on your household.
In New Hampshire, child support is typically obtained through a court order as part of a custody case. Parents may also seek assistance from the Bureau of Child Support Services, which can establish and enforce support orders.
Enforcement measures may include:
- Income withholding from wages
- Driver’s license revocation
- Tax refund intercepts
- Credit bureau reporting
- Passport denial, lottery prize interception, and property liens
Severe cases of non-payment can lead to criminal non-support charges, which may be classified as a felony if unpaid support exceeds $10,000 or has been delinquent for more than a year.
Without a lawyer, the process can be stressful and confusing. A legal advocate can help ensure your child receives the financial resources they need and protect you from unnecessary delays or errors in the process.
Working with an attorney can help you to:
- Establish paternity
- Answer a child support petition
- File a petition for support
- Request a child support order
- Explain the tax consequences that come with a child support order
- Work with the other parent to reach an agreement
- Represent you in court
- Locate the other parent
- Subpoena the other parent’s financial information
- Prove income
- Determine any factors that a court will consider when calculating support
- Educate you on available child support enforcement options
- Provide an estimate of the financial support you may receive
Information to Share With Your Lawyer
When working with your attorney, providing complete and organized documentation will ensure your case moves forward efficiently. The more detailed information you can share, the stronger your case for child support will be.
Key documents and records to provide include:
- Pay stubs for the last two years or longer, if available
- Outstanding debt records, including credit cards, loans, or liens
- Any changes in debt status, such as bankruptcy filings or debt settlement agreements
- Paternity documentation, including court orders or DNA test results
- Adoption records, if applicable
- Comprehensive records of past child support payments, including receipts or bank statements
- Investment account statements, such as bonds, stocks, and mutual funds
- Retirement account documentation, including 401(k), IRA, or pension statements
- Federal and state tax returns for multiple years to establish income history
- Property records, including home purchase and sale agreements, land ownership, or other real estate transactions
- Business ownership or self-employment income records, if relevant
- Child-related expense documentation, such as medical bills, school tuition, daycare, or extracurricular costs
- Insurance records, including health, dental, and vision coverage for the child
- Any child support forms or court notices that you have received or completed
Bringing these documents to your attorney will help them create a clear financial picture for the court. This information is essential for accurately calculating child support, preparing enforcement actions, and responding to any challenges from the other parent.
Calculating Child Support in New Hampshire
New Hampshire uses the Child Support Guideline Table, which calculates support based on the parents’ combined monthly net income and the number of children. This formula ensures that children receive a fair share of their parents’ financial resources.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services provides a Child Support Calculator to estimate your obligation. While this tool is helpful for planning, it does not guarantee the court’s final order.
Child support can be conveniently paid online through New Hampshire’s Bureau of Child Support Services, providing a secure and trackable payment method for both parents.
Work with an Experienced Local Lawyer in New Hampshire
Are you facing a challenging child support battle? A knowledgeable attorney can guide you through the legal system, advocate for your rights, and help secure the financial support your child needs.
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area! We can even help you connect with an attorney across New Hampshirestate lines.
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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