Child Impact Seminar

New Hampshire law requires anyone who has filed for or responded to a parenting petition to attend a four-hour child impact seminar called “Children First” which addresses the effects of separation and divorce on minor children. The state considers completion of this requirement so important that submitting proof of having earned a certificate is required before a divorce can become final.

Parenting Petition

Jurisdiction: One of the following must apply to file a parenting action in New Hampshire:

1. both parents live in New Hampshire;
2. the party starting the parenting action (petitioner) has lived in New Hampshire for at least one year; or
3. the petitioner lives in New Hampshire and the other parent can be served with legal papers in the state.

Parenting Petition

Parents have the option of filing either a joint or an individual parenting petition.

• Filing a joint petition avoids the cost of formal service of process of legal papers and is permissible even if the parties do not initially agree on a parenting plan or child support. File a Personal Data Sheet along with the Petition.
• Filing an individual petition requires that you provide legal notice to the other parent. Service is achieved by one of the following methods: 1) the other parent can pick up the petition at the court; 2) you can send the papers to the other parent by certified mail with return receipt; or 3) formal service of papers by the sheriff. File a Personal Data Sheet along with the Petition.

First Appearance

After the Petition is filed, the court will schedule you for a First Appearance session where the judge will explain the court process and outline the issues to think about and discuss regarding your children. At this session, you will also hear about the Child Impact Seminar, parenting plans, mediation, guardians ad litem, and child support.

To complete the parenting action, you must file:

• A Certificate of Completion of the Child Impact Seminar
• Parenting Plan
• Financial Affidavits for each party
• Decree on Parenting Plan
• Uniform Support Order
• Child Support Guidelines Worksheet