New Hampshire divorce at a glance
Official source: New Hampshire court forms & self-help. Always confirm current forms and fees with the court before filing.
How to file for divorce in New Hampshire: step by step
New Hampshire is no-fault with no waiting period and a single statewide Family Division. Here is the path to a Decree of Divorce.
- Confirm you can file in New Hampshire
Both spouses live in NH, or you live here and your spouse is served here. New Hampshire is no-fault (irreconcilable differences), with no waiting period.Source: RSA 458 - Generate your forms
Prepare the Petition for Divorce (NHJB forms) — New Hampshire self-represented filings go through TurboCourt.Source: NHJB forms; TurboCourt - File with the Family Division
File with the Circuit Court, Family Division, and pay about $250, or file a Motion to Waive the Filing Fee.Source: Motion to Waive Filing Fee - Serve your spouse
Serve your spouse with the petition.Source: NH Fam. Div. Rules - File financial affidavits and support worksheet (if children)
Both spouses file financial affidavits; if you have children, complete the child-support worksheet and any required parenting seminar.Source: RSA 458-C - Get your decree
The court enters the Decree of Divorce.Source: Decree of Divorce
What does filing “pro se” (without a lawyer) mean in New Hampshire?
Pro se — also called self-represented — means you handle your own divorce without hiring an attorney. In New Hampshire you have the right to file your own divorce, and the court publishes the official forms for you to use. The large majority of uncontested divorces, where both spouses agree the marriage is over and can agree on the terms, are handled pro se every day.
Filing pro se is usually a good fit when: you both agree on the divorce, you can agree on splitting property and debts, and any parenting time and support are worked out. It’s worth talking to a lawyer when: you disagree about custody or money, one spouse hides assets or won’t cooperate, there’s a business or significant property to divide, or there has been any abuse.
LawCat prepares your New Hampshire pro-se divorce documents for free and walks you through every filing step — so doing it yourself never means doing it alone.
How child support is calculated in New Hampshire
A percentage of the parents’ combined net income, with the paying parent covering their pro-rata share. (RSA 458-C)
Because New Hampshire uses an income-shares approach, the exact number comes from an official table based on both parents’ combined income. Use your court’s official child-support calculator for a precise figure.
How long does a New Hampshire divorce take?
No statutory waiting period; timing depends on the court’s calendar. After that, the timeline depends on the court’s calendar and how quickly each step is completed. An uncontested, pro-se divorce is typically the fastest path — most of the wait is the statutory period, not paperwork.
Common reasons New Hampshire divorce filings get rejected
- Missing signatures, or forms that aren’t notarized where the court requires it.
- Skipping the financial disclosure both spouses are required to exchange.
- Filing before meeting the residency requirement.
- Mistakes serving the other spouse, or forgetting to file the proof of service.
- Not following local county rules. Very low. A single statewide Circuit Court Family Division with uniform forms.
LawCat’s guided questions and filing checklist are built to prevent exactly these — the errors that send self-represented filers back to the clerk’s window.
New Hampshire document generation is on the way
LawCat already prepares complete divorce packets free in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and is expanding to New Hampshire. In the meantime, the official New Hampshire court forms are linked below.
Official New Hampshire forms → See how it worksWhy LawCat is free
Most “online divorce” sites charge $137–$499 for the same public court forms, and some add monthly fees. LawCat gives document preparation away because it is built by a law firm that helps people who later decide they want an attorney. You keep the free documents either way.
Compare divorce filing fees in every state →
New Hampshire divorce FAQ
Do I need a lawyer to get divorced in New Hampshire?
No. New Hampshire allows you to file for divorce yourself (pro se). LawCat prepares your New Hampshire divorce documents free, and you pay only the court’s filing fee. You can hire an attorney at any point if your case becomes complicated.
How long do I have to live in New Hampshire to file for divorce?
1 year (or both parties in NH / respondent served in NH)
How much does it cost to file for divorce in New Hampshire?
$250 (no children) / ~$252-$282 with children, + ~3% TurboCourt payment surcharge. Fee waiver: Motion to Waive Filing Fee (in forma pauperis). With LawCat your documents are free, so the filing fee is typically your only unavoidable cost — and it can often be waived if you can’t afford it.