Getting a divorce in New Hampshire can be complicated or it can be relatively simple, depending on the issues that you share with your soon-to-be ex-spouse and how easy or difficult it is for the two of you to agree on them. If your relationship with your spouse is relatively uncomplicated and you both agree to the divorce, you may wish to file a Joint Petition for Divorce and a Personal Data Sheet. If you decide to take that approach, you will be able to avoid having to pay the fees for the service of filing formal papers. On the other hand, if your situation is more complicated, you may want to file a Petition for Divorce as well as a Personal Data Sheet. In this case, you will file alone and your spouse will be notified about the divorce after you have filed the papers.
What to expect in the divorce process
Once you have filed the papers and the appropriate papers are issued, a First Appearance meeting will be put onto the calendar. The purpose of the meeting is for you and your spouse to be informed of the process that you can expect in court as well as important issues for you to consider regarding your child or children.
At that time, you will be told about the Child Impact Seminar, parenting plans, mediation, and child support. An appointment will then be set so you will want to have your calendar with you so you can help to schedule that meeting.
Advice from a New Hampshire divorce lawyer
If you are in the middle of a divorce, even if your situation and your relationship with your spouse seems uncomplicated, it is sensible to consult a divorce lawyer to advise you about your rights. The lawyer can also give you advice on the process that you should follow so that you achieve a positive outcome.
Even though you can obtain all of the forms on your own that you will need to complete your divorce, the lawyer’s guidance may be invaluable to you and to your divorce. It should give you some comfort and peace of mind to know that you are being supported by a person who has a lot of experience navigating the divorce process and can help you to understand why you should make certain decisions that will affect you and your family for a long time to come.