When you and your spouse make the decision to divorce, the next concern is how this will impact your children.
The logistics of divorce with respect to children can be complicated. Between financial considerations, custody, holidays, and school vacations, divorce with minimal disruption to your children’s lives can feel overwhelming.
It doesn’t have to be.
Here, we offer a few things to know about divorcing with kids in New Hampshire, along with our assurance that the Bernstein & Mello team is standing by to support you during this transition.
First Steps to Divorce in NH with Minor Children Involved
Before you even consider how property will be divided or what your co-parenting responsibilities will be, you should complete and fill out the following: Joint Petition for Divorce, along with a Personal Data Sheet.
In the event that you and your spouse are not in agreement about the decision to divorce, you will need to complete the Personal Data Sheet separately, along with an individual Petition for Divorce.
These documents will serve as notice to your spouse of your intentions to move forward with the divorce process.
The next key step in this divorce journey will be your First Appearance. This is when your children will become the focus.
During this session, you will learn about the required Child Impact Seminar, and will also be introduced to important documents and processes including parenting plans, mediation, guardians ad litem, and child support.
Completing Your Divorce in NH as Parents of Minor Children
While your attorney, should you choose to retain one, will guide you through these procedures and paperwork, it’s a good idea to have a checklist of what will need to be completed and filed with the court in order to finalize your divorce.
- You will need to show evidence that you completed the Child Impact Seminar. This is simply a certificate that is mailed to you upon completion of the course.
- Updated and accurate Financial Affidavits must be filled out and filed for both parties.
- Parenting Plan: this is the document that will delineate issues such aas decision making, routine schedules, holiday schedule, school district placement, and other parenting rights and responsibilities
- A Vital Statistics form is required in order to finalize any NH divorce, legal separation, annulment or civil union dissolution
- Final Decree on Divorce or Legal Separation
- Uniform Support Order: this lays out the details of child support and other minor-related financial matters
- Child Support Guidelines Worksheet
Of course, when it comes to divorcing in NH with kids involved, there’s so much more to consider than a checklist of required documents.
If you have questions or are ready to begin divorce proceedings, we invite you to contact our team to schedule a consultation.
