New Hampshire
Alimony Guide - Spousal Support Laws

New Hampshire Alimony Guide :: Table of Contents

What Is Alimony?
Alimony Calculation Law Table
State Alimony Law Summary
Alimony Calculation Considerations
New Hampshire Alimony FAQ
Alimony Law Text

What Is Alimony / Spousal Support?

What is Alimony?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is a court-ordered provision of financial support a spouse for after a divorce. Alimony laws vary considerably from state to state, and courts often have significant flexibility on a case-by-case basis in determing whether to award alimony, how much alimony to award, and how long alimony payments will continue.

New Hampshire Alimony Court Considerations Table

Statutory List
Marital Fault Considered
Standard of Living Considered
Custodial Status Considered

New Hampshire Alimony Law Summary

In the state of New Hampshire, following or during a dissolution of marriage or legal separation, a spouse may file for alimony support. The court will decide whether to make orders for alimony payments and will decide whether they are temporary or permanent and for a definite or indefinite amount of time.

When considering an alimony case, the court will first determine whether either spouse has a legitimate need for the support and whether the other spouse is monetarily capable of providing it. The court will also take into consideration the standard of living established during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and the age and physical and mental condition of each party. The estate, including marital and no marital assets, liabilities, and earning potential of each spouse will also be a large factor in the decision of the court. The earning capacity of each spouse will be determined by considering the educational levels, vocational skills and market for the careers of each party of the divorce.

Custody of any children, and any child support required between parties of the divorce, are two other factors in the amount and consideration of spousal support. If the custodian of the child or children is unable to support themselves due to the children being of an age or condition that hinders the individual’s ability to support the child, such as if the spouse must remain home to care for the child, it would severely influence the case for alimony to be received by the custodian of said child or children.

The contribution to the well being of the marriage, including homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party, that each spouse made will affect the decision made by the court. Any other factor the court deems relevant to obtain equity and justice between the two parties will also be taken into consideration by the court.

There are many typical considerations to be made by the court when dealing with any alimony case, but the court may take into consideration other factors when they are deemed relevant. In the end, if an agreement cannot be made between the two parties, alimony is awarded at the final judgment of the judge and court deciding the case.

Get an estimation on how much alimony you can expect to pay in the United States. Click here to get a high, low, and average estimate on alimony payments!

New Hampshire | What Is Considered When Calculating Alimony

In the state of New Hampshire, a number of factors are taken into account when calculating the amount and duration of alimony or spousal support payments.

Is there a set list of statutory factors for calculating alimony?

New Hampshire has a defined list of factors, described in statutory law, that are legally required to be considered by a judge when determining alimony payments. These factors may be directly connected to the alimony calculation formula.

Is marital fault considered in New Hampshire alimony?

New Hampshire considers marital fault when determining alimony payments. This means that "at-fault" divorces, which may be caused by infidelity / adultery, abuse, etc, can result in the at-fault party paying more "punitive" alimony.

Is standard of living considered in New Hampshire alimony?

Standard of living is considered when calculating alimony payments in the state of New Hampshire. This means that a judge will consider the lifestyle enjoyed by the alimony-receiving spouse during the duration of the marriage when determining an appropriate alimony payment amount.

Is custodial status considered when determining alimony in the state of New Hampshire?

The judge in the state of New Hampshire considers custodial status when determining alimony payments. This means that alimony calculations are affected by whether or not the receiving spouse has custody of the children, and custodial spouses may receive higher alimony payments.

How exactly is alimony calculated in the state of New Hampshire?

Calculation of alimony is generally done on a case-by-case basis by the New Hampshire family court judge who is responsible for the case. While some states have a fixed alimony calculation formula, in most cases the final amount and duration of alimony awarded (if alimony is awarded) is at the discretion of the judge.

New Hampshire Alimony FAQ

How long must alimony be paid?

The duration of payments is determined by a judge in New Hampshire family court. Alimony length is usually based on length of marriage - one commonly used standard for alimony duration is that 1 year of alimony is paid every three years of marriage (however, this is not always the case in every state or with every judge). Alimony may also be discontinued upon the remarriage or cohabitation of the receiving spouse. In some cases, judges may even award permanent alimony.

What happens if alimony isn't paid?

If alimony is unpaid, the owed debt is known as alimony arrears. Arrears can be collected via mediation, small claims court, or wage garnishment. Failure to comply with a court-issued spousal support order may also result in a contempt of court charge against the spouse who failed to pay owed alimony.

Can alimony be waived by a prenuptual agreement?

A prenup agreement is a contract between spouses regarding marriage-related financial matters signed prior to marriage. Limitation or waiving rights to alimony is a frequent clause in modern prenuptual agreements, but some states or localities prohibit such alimony waivers.

Can alimony be collected if you're not married?

The legal concept of alimony, otherwise known as spousal support, is dependant upon a legal marriage. However, in some areas - especially those with a concept of common-law marriage - "palimony", or support payments between non-married individuals, has been awarded by courts. However, this generally requires extenuating circumstances.

What is alimony mediation?

When a marriage ends through divorce and alimony is expected to be paid, spouses have the choice to determine an alimony agreement either through litigation (in New Hampshire family court) or through mutual agreement. Often, a New Hampshire alimony mediator can be brought in to help the ex-spouses come to a mutual agreement regarding alimony and other contested issues such as property division, and thus avoid having to go to court.

How are alimony payments taxed?

On a federal level, all qualifying New Hampshire alimony payments are deductible by the payor, and counted as taxable income by the recipient. To qualify as alimony under IRS guidelines, the following must be true:

The payments are in cash
The parties live in seperate households
The payments are strictly for alimony (as opposed to for child support, etc)

Taxation of alimony varies on a state and local level. You can learn more about New Hampshire income taxes here .

| State Law Official Text

Section(s):
N.H. REV. STAT. ANN. § 458:19

458:19 Alimony. –

I. Upon motion of either party for alimony payments, the court shall make orders for the payment of alimony to the party in need of alimony, either temporary or permanent, for a definite or indefinite period of time, if the motion for alimony payments is made within 5 years of the decree of nullity or divorce and the court finds that:

(a) The party in need lacks sufficient income, property, or both, including property apportioned in accordance with RSA 458:16-a, to provide for such party's reasonable needs, taking into account the style of living to which the parties have become accustomed during the marriage; and

(b) The party from whom alimony is sought is able to meet reasonable needs while meeting those of the party seeking alimony, taking into account the style of living to which the parties have become accustomed during the marriage; and

(c) The party in need is unable to be self-supporting through appropriate employment at a standard of living that meets reasonable needs or is allocated parental rights and responsibilities under RSA 461-A for a child of the parties whose condition or circumstances make it appropriate that the parent not seek employment outside the home.

II. Upon motion of either party, the court may make orders for the payment of an alimony allowance when such orders would be just and equitable.

III. Upon a decree of nullity or divorce, or upon the renewal, modification, or extension of a prior order for alimony, the court may order alimony to be paid for such length of time as the parties may agree or the court orders.

IV. (a) The court may make orders for alimony in a lump sum, periodic payments, or both.

(b) In determining the amount of alimony, the court shall consider the length of the marriage; the age, health, social or economic status, occupation, amount and sources of income, the property awarded under RSA 458:16-a, vocational skills, employability, estate, liabilities, and needs of each of the parties; the opportunity of each for future acquisition of capital assets and income; the fault of either party as defined in RSA 458:16-a, II(l); and the federal tax consequences of the order.

(c) In determining amount and sources of income, the court shall not consider a minor child's social security benefit payments or a second or subsequent spouse's income. The court may consider veterans' disability benefits collected by either or both parties to the extent permitted by federal law.

(d) The court may also consider the contribution of each of the parties in the acquisition, preservation, or appreciation in value of their respective estates and the noneconomic contribution of each of the parties to the family unit.

(e) In any proceeding for modification of an existing alimony order, the earned or unearned income and social security disability payments of a spouse of the obligor party shall not be considered a source of income to that obligor party for the purpose of modification, unless the obligor party resigns from or refuses employment or is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, in which case the income of a subsequent spouse may be imputed to the obligor party only to the extent that such obligor party could have earned income in his or her usual employment. In such actions, the court may consider the veteran's disability benefits of a spouse of the obligor party to the extent permitted by federal law.

V. The unanticipated consequences of changes in federal tax legislation or regulations may be grounds to modify any alimony order or agreement.

VI. The court shall specify written reasons for the granting or denial of any motion for an alimony allowance.

VII. In cases where the court issues an order for permanent alimony for a definite period of time, such order may be renewed, upon the petition of either party, provided that such petition is made within 5 years of the termination date of the permanent alimony order. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to change or alter in any way the terms of the original alimony order.

Source. RS 148:13. CS 157:13. GS 163:12. GL 182:12. PS 175:14. PL 287:16. 1937, 154:1. RL 339:16. RSA 458:19. 1981, 275:1. 1985, 175:1. 1987, 278:2. 1991, 123:1. 1996, 32:4, 5. 2000, 178:2, 3. 2001, 246:2, 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2002. 2005, 273:3, eff. Oct. 1, 2005.

New Hampshire Alimony Guide - Spousal Support Laws

New Hampshire
Alimony Guide - Spousal Support Laws