No-Fault Divorce in New Hampshire
State-specific overview · Family Law
New Hampshire allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences but requires a 6-month separation period.
How New Hampshire treats No-Fault Divorce
New Hampshire permits no-fault divorce when the parties have irreconcilable differences, but the law requires that the spouses live separate and apart for at least six months before the divorce can be finalized. This separation period must occur before or after filing, and both spouses must agree that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court then divides marital property equitably and addresses custody and support issues. New Hampshire also allows fault-based grounds, but the no-fault option with the separation requirement is commonly used.
The general definition of No-Fault Divorce
A divorce granted without requiring either spouse to prove wrongdoing by the other.
A no-fault divorce is a divorce where neither spouse has to prove that the other did something wrong, like infidelity or abuse. Instead, one or both spouses simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that they have irreconcilable differences. This is the most common type of divorce in the United States today. No-fault divorces are generally faster and less contentious than fault-based divorces because they don't require gathering evidence of misconduct.
Read the full No-Fault Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in New Hampshire.