What Do I Need to Know About Filing Divorce in New Hampshire with Help Yourself Divorce?
Help Yourself Divorce is a no-fault divorce service, for those who agree on the terms of the divorce and are both willing to sign the papers. The following is a list of requirements and information about what to expect from the process. Please note that this will only apply if you use the services of Help Yourself Divorce. Those seeking to use another route for their divorce should perform their own research about what to expect from the process.
New Hampshire Grounds for Divorce.
Because Help Yourself Divorce prepares is a “no-fault” divorce service, we will prepare your divorce papers based on the no-fault grounds that “irreconcilable differences have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.” This means you and your spouse agree to file a no-fault divorce.
New Hampshire Residency Requirements.
To use our services, you must meet one of the following requirements for residency:
- Both parties live in New Hampshire at the time the divorce papers are filed; or
- The plaintiff has lived in New Hampshire for one year immediately before filing the divorce papers.
If you and your spouse have minor children, the court must have jurisdiction over them. Generally this means your children must have lived in New Hampshire for at least six months and currently live in New Hampshire, or have lived in New Hampshire within six months of filing.
Please note that you may be able to qualify for residency based on other requirements. If you are not sure whether you fall into one of the above categories, please seek advice from an attorney.
New Hampshire Divorce Filing Fees.
When you file the papers, you will have to pay a separate filing fee to the Courts. Please check with your local court clerk to find out how much the current filing fee is.
Filing for Divorce in New Hampshire.
Generally you will file your divorce in the New Hampshire county where either spouse lives.
Serving Your Spouse.
In an agreed divorce in New Hampshire, you will file a joint petition. This means you do not have to serve your spouse with the divorce papers, which makes the process run smoother and more quickly.
Waiting Period.
There is no specific waiting period after filing your divorce papers, before your divorce can be finalized. How long it takes for the Court to finalize your divorce simply depends on the schedule of the Court.
New Hampshire Final Uncontested Divorce Hearing.
You may need to appear in Court for a final hearing in order to finalize your divorce. After you file the papers, you will receive notice indicating whether or not you and/or your spouse need to appear and if so, when.
Additional Information.
If you and your spouse have minor children together, you must attend a 4-hour mandatory course. The course will be a seminar on how to help the children deal with the issues surrounding divorce, separation, and custody.
If you have any questions about whether our service is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
IMPORTANT: Help Yourself Divorce is a paralegal service, not a law firm. Please don’t rely on this information for legal advice. Seek help from an attorney if you need legal advice.