Support in New Hampshire (2026)

Fault and Alimony: New Hampshire’s Distinctive Connection

Before diving into the mechanics of child support, it is worth highlighting one of the most distinctive features of New Hampshire’s support framework: marital fault can directly affect alimony. Under RSA 458:19, fault is an explicit factor in alimony determinations. This means that a spouse who committed adultery, engaged in extreme cruelty, or was habitually drunk may receive reduced alimony — or conversely, the wronged spouse may receive an enhanced award.

New Hampshire is one of a minority of states that still allows fault to influence financial outcomes. This creates strategic considerations that do not exist in purely no-fault jurisdictions and makes the choice between fault and no-fault grounds for divorce a decision with real financial implications.

How New Hampshire Calculates Child Support

New Hampshire uses an income shares model under RSA 458-C to calculate child support. The guidelines are based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received had the family remained intact. Both parents’ incomes are considered, and the support obligation is allocated proportionally.

Step-by-Step Calculation

1. Determine each parent’s adjusted gross income. Under RSA 458-C:2, gross income includes wages, salaries, tips, commissions, bonuses, pensions, Social Security, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, rental income, and investment income. Self-employment income is included after deducting ordinary and necessary business expenses. The court may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed.

2. Apply adjustments. Each parent’s gross income is adjusted by subtracting pre-existing support obligations for other children, the cost of health insurance for the child, and work-related child care costs.

3. Combine adjusted incomes and apply them to the guidelines schedule, which produces a base support obligation based on the combined income and the number of children.

4. Allocate proportionally. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined adjusted income.

For a general overview of income shares models, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also run preliminary numbers with our child support calculator.

Parenting Time Adjustments

New Hampshire’s guidelines include adjustments for shared parenting time. When a child spends a significant amount of time with the non-custodial parent, the support obligation may be adjusted to reflect the increased costs that parent incurs during their time with the child. The adjustment accounts for the duplication of fixed costs (housing, utilities) when a child maintains two homes and the shift of variable costs (food, transportation) from one parent to the other.

Deviation from Guidelines

The court may deviate from the guidelines amount when it finds that applying the formula would be unjust or inappropriate. Under RSA 458-C:5, deviation factors include:

• Extraordinary medical, dental, or educational expenses
• Significantly higher or lower income than the guidelines table accommodates
• The economic consequences of the parenting schedule
• Special needs of the child
• Other household members contributing to expenses
• The obligor’s support obligations for other children
• The child’s own income or assets

Any deviation must be supported by written findings explaining why the guidelines amount would be unjust.

Duration and Termination of Child Support

Child support in New Hampshire generally continues until the child reaches age 18, or until age 19 if the child is still in high school. The court does not have authority to order support for college expenses, though parents may voluntarily agree to contribute to post-secondary education as part of their divorce settlement.

Modification of Child Support

Either parent may petition the court to modify child support upon a showing of a substantial change in circumstances since the last order. Common grounds include significant changes in income, job loss, changes in the child’s needs, or a change in the parenting schedule.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

The New Hampshire Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) has broad enforcement authority:

• Automatic income withholding from wages
• Interception of state and federal tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Reporting arrearages to credit bureaus
• Contempt of court proceedings, which may result in fines or incarceration
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500

Alimony in New Hampshire

Alimony in New Hampshire is governed by RSA 458:19 and may be awarded when one spouse has a demonstrated need and the other has the ability to pay. New Hampshire courts recognize several forms:

Term Alimony

Support for a defined period, often related to the length of the marriage. This provides the receiving spouse with financial stability during the transition period after divorce.

Rehabilitative Alimony

Support designed to help the receiving spouse obtain the education, training, or work experience needed to become self-supporting. The duration is typically tied to a specific educational or vocational plan.

Reimbursement Alimony

Compensation for one spouse’s financial contributions to the other’s education or career development. If one spouse worked to put the other through professional school, reimbursement alimony recognizes that investment.

Factors in Alimony Determinations

The court considers:

• Length of the marriage
• Age, health, and emotional condition of each party
• Occupation, income, and employability of each party
• The estate and needs of each party
• The opportunity for future acquisition of capital assets and income
• Fault of either party (New Hampshire is one of the states where marital fault may influence alimony)
• Federal tax consequences
• The property division made in the divorce

How Fault Affects Alimony in Practice

While fault is a statutory factor, courts weigh it alongside all other considerations. Egregious misconduct — such as a pattern of adultery, domestic violence, or dissipation of marital assets — is more likely to affect the alimony outcome than minor marital failings. The practical impact depends on the specific facts and the severity of the fault.

Modification and Termination of Alimony

Alimony is modifiable upon a showing of changed circumstances and generally terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient. The court may also consider cohabitation by the recipient as a basis for modification or termination.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

New Hampshire’s income shares model provides a structured framework for child support, but alimony determinations involve significant judicial discretion, particularly because fault may be considered. Whether you are calculating support obligations or evaluating an alimony claim, consider scheduling a free consultation with a family law attorney to discuss your specific circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What child support model does New Hampshire use?

New Hampshire uses an income shares model under RSA 458-C. Both parents’ adjusted gross incomes are combined and applied to the guidelines schedule, which produces a base support obligation. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined adjusted income.

Until what age does child support last in New Hampshire?

Child support generally continues until the child reaches age 18, or until age 19 if the child is still in high school. The court does not have authority to order support for college expenses, though parents may voluntarily agree to contribute.

Can marital fault affect alimony in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire is one of the states where marital fault may influence alimony under RSA 458:19. The court considers fault alongside other factors including the length of the marriage, each party’s earning capacity, and the standard of living during the marriage. Egregious misconduct is more likely to affect the outcome than minor marital failings.

What types of alimony does New Hampshire recognize?

New Hampshire recognizes term alimony (for a defined period), rehabilitative alimony (to gain education or training), and reimbursement alimony (to compensate contributions to a spouse’s education or career). There is no statutory formula for calculating the amount or duration.

Can I agree to college support as part of my divorce in New Hampshire?

The court cannot order college support, but parents may voluntarily agree to contribute to post-secondary education as part of their divorce settlement. If college support is important to you, it should be negotiated and included in the settlement agreement.

How does the master system affect child support and alimony decisions?

In New Hampshire, child support and alimony determinations may initially be heard by a master rather than a judge. The master’s recommendations carry significant weight, and either party has 10 days to file an objection. If no objection is filed, the master’s recommendations become the court’s order. Being thoroughly prepared for the master hearing is essential.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was developed through a comprehensive review of RSA 458-C (child support guidelines), RSA 458-C:5 (deviation factors), RSA 458-C:2 (adjusted gross income definition), and RSA 458:19 (alimony, including the fault factor). Enforcement provisions were verified against published materials from the New Hampshire Division of Child Support Services (DCSS). The interaction between fault and alimony was analyzed using RSA 458:19 and New Hampshire Supreme Court decisions interpreting its application. All statutory citations were verified against the current New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated.

Sources and Legal References

• RSA 458-C — Child support guidelines (income shares model)
• RSA 458-C:2 — Definition of adjusted gross income for support purposes
• RSA 458-C:5 — Deviation factors allowing departure from guidelines
• RSA 458:19 — Alimony factors (including fault)
• New Hampshire DCSS — Division of Child Support Services enforcement procedures

Official New Hampshire Resources

• New Hampshire Judicial Branch — Divorce/Parenting

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

• Divorce in New Hampshire — Residency, fault and no-fault grounds, and property division
• Custody in New Hampshire — Parental rights and responsibilities, parenting plans, and mediation
• New Hampshire custody best interest factors — How courts weigh each factor
• New Hampshire divorce process and grounds — Step-by-step filing guide
• How child support is calculated — National overview of calculation models
• How alimony works — National overview of spousal support types
• Child support calculator — Estimate your potential obligation
• Modifying child support — When and how to request changes