Divorce Costs in New Hampshire
Equitable Distribution • No-Fault & Fault-Based
Filing Fee
$252
Avg. Attorney Rate
$250/hr
Timeline
4 months
Waiting Period
None
Property Division
Equitable Distribution
Fault Type
No-Fault & Fault-Based
Key Cost Factors
State Overview
New Hampshire is an equitable distribution state, meaning marital assets are divided fairly but not necessarily equally.
New Hampshire allows both no-fault and fault-based divorce grounds. There is no mandatory waiting period.
The average attorney rate in New Hampshire is $250 per hour. An uncontested divorce typically costs $1,500 to $4,500, while a contested divorce can range from $10,000 to $35,000.
How to Reduce Divorce Costs in New Hampshire
Consider an uncontested divorce. If you and your spouse can agree on key issues, an uncontested divorce in New Hampshire can cost as little as $1,500 — saving tens of thousands compared to litigation.
Try mediation first. New Hampshire requires mediation in many cases, which typically costs $3,000–$7,000 and can resolve disputes faster and cheaper than going to court.
File pro se for simple cases. If you have no children, minimal assets, and both agree, you can file without an attorney. New Hampshire's filing fee is just $252.
Organize your finances beforehand. Having all financial documents ready reduces the hours your attorney spends on discovery, lowering your bill at $250/hr.
Use a limited-scope attorney. Instead of full representation, hire a lawyer only for specific tasks like reviewing your settlement agreement — this can cut attorney costs by 50–70%.
Key Facts About Divorce in New Hampshire
- Residency Requirement: 12 months
- Grounds for Divorce: Irreconcilable differences or fault-based grounds
- Cooling-Off Period: No mandatory waiting period
- Mediation: Required in many cases
- Property Division: Equitable distribution (fair but not necessarily equal)
- Filing Fee: $252