How Much Does a Divorce Cost in New Hampshire in 2026?
How much does a divorce cost in New Hampshire? If you file it yourself and agree, it costs about $300 to $450. With a lawyer on a simple case, it runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested divorce costs $8,000 to $25,000 or more. The filing fee is $250 to $282.
The cost of divorce in NH depends on one big thing. That thing is whether you file a joint petition together or fight. The process itself has no waiting period, so conflict is what drives the cost. A joint petition is the cheap, standard route for agreeing couples.
This guide breaks down the New Hampshire filing fee and the cost by type. It also shows how to keep your divorce affordable. Every number here is a 2026 number. The real total depends on your path and your lawyer.
Quick Answer: New Hampshire Divorce Costs at a Glance
Here is the average cost of divorce in NH in 2026, at a glance. The filing fee is set by the state. The total depends on your path, not just the fee. An agreed divorce stays low, while a court fight climbs fast.
| Cost factor | New Hampshire (2026) |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $250, or $282 with minor children |
| Uncontested total (DIY) | $300 to $450 |
| Average with a lawyer | $4,000 to $10,000 |
| Contested divorce | $8,000 to $25,000 or more |
| Typical timeline | Agreed cases about 2 to 3 months (no waiting period); contested 8 to 18 months |
Filing Fees and Court Costs in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire divorce filing fee is $250 with no minor children. It is $282 with minor children, and the higher total includes the Child Impact Program fee. You pay it at the clerk’s office or through the court’s e-filing portal. Divorces are heard in the Family Division of the Circuit Court, which is the court for family cases.
Service applies only to a solo petition. It costs about $50 to $100 for a sheriff or process server. A joint petition needs no service at all, which is one reason it costs less. Once a petition is filed, an automatic restraining order freezes the couple’s property. Neither spouse may sell, transfer, or hide assets while the case runs.
Both spouses must share their finances. Each files a sworn Financial Affidavit, which lists all income, expenses, assets, and debts. It is mandatory, and the court relies on it for every money decision.
You may be able to remove the fee. Low-income filers can file a Motion to Waive Filing and Service Fees. The judge can waive the fee in full or reduce it. The state also offers free forms. You can find them on the official New Hampshire Judicial Branch website, and you can see our guide to divorce filing fees by state.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost in New Hampshire by Type?
How much a divorce costs in New Hampshire depends on the type you choose. A simple agreed case costs far less than a court fight. The table below shows the typical total for each path. Your path is set by how much you agree.
| Divorce type | Typical total cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| DIY uncontested (file yourself) | $300 to $450 |
| Uncontested with a lawyer | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Mediated divorce | $1,500 to $4,500 |
| Contested divorce | $8,000 to $25,000 or more |
An uncontested divorce New Hampshire couples file themselves is the lowest option. If you use the free forms, you pay close to the filing fee. The average cost of divorce in NH climbs once a lawyer or a court fight is involved. The NH uncontested divorce cost is hard to beat, and you can see our uncontested divorce guide.
What Affects the Cost of Divorce in New Hampshire
A few things affect the cost of divorce in NH. Your filing choice is the biggest one. A joint petition, which both spouses sign together, is far cheaper than a solo filing and a fight. The main ground is irreconcilable differences, the no-fault ground, which needs no proof and no separation.
Conflict and children raise the cost next. In disputed cases with children, the court orders mediation before trial. Court-connected mediation runs about $100 to $300 per hour, split between the spouses. Parents also attend a First Appearance and the Child Impact Program, the required parenting seminar.
Property division shapes the legal time. New Hampshire is an all-property state, so everything either spouse owns can be divided. The law presumes an equal split is fair, and judges usually leave premarital and inherited assets with their owner. A judge can order a different split using the statutory factors.
Residency and location finish the list. You qualify if both spouses live here, if the filer has lived here one year, or if the other spouse is served in state. Manchester lawyers charge the most.
How to Keep Divorce Costs Down in New Hampshire
You can keep the cost of divorce in NH low. The biggest saving comes from filing a joint petition. A few simple moves make a real difference. Here are the best ones.
- File one joint petition together. When you file jointly, you skip service completely.
- Use the free NHJB forms. The court offers free forms and checklists, so you skip paid services.
- Complete both Financial Affidavits fully. Do them right the first time, so nothing stalls.
- Book the Child Impact Program early. If you have children, finish it so it does not hold up the decree.
- Settle disputes in mediation. This costs far less than paying two lawyers to fight.
- Use a flat-fee or limited-scope lawyer. Pay only for a review of your agreement, not the whole case.
These steps add up to a cheap divorce in New Hampshire. For more ways to save, read our cheap divorce guide. Free help is available at 603 Legal Aid.
New Hampshire Divorce Filing Steps (Summary)
Filing for divorce in New Hampshire follows a clear path. It is simplest when your case is agreed. Here are the main steps in order.
- Check your residency route. You qualify if both live here, if the filer has one year here, or if the other spouse is served in state.
- Prepare your papers. Use the free NHJB forms.
- File and pay the fee. File the Petition or Joint Petition in the Family Division and pay the $250 or $282 fee. Or file the waiver motion.
- Serve your spouse if solo. On a solo petition, serve your spouse, and the automatic restraining order now protects the property. A joint petition skips this.
- Exchange affidavits. Trade Financial Affidavits and sign your settlement agreement.
- Finish parenting steps. Attend First Appearance and the Child Impact Program within 45 days if you have minor children.
- Finalize the divorce. At the final hearing, or on the papers, the judge signs the Decree of Divorce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It costs a $250 filing fee, or $282 with minor children, which includes the parenting program. Service adds $50 to $100 on a solo petition. A joint petition needs no service, so that cost is zero. A fee waiver can remove or reduce the fee.
An uncontested divorce in New Hampshire costs $300 to $450 if you use the free court forms. It is cheapest with a joint petition. That is mostly the filing fee. The cost rises to $1,500 to $3,500 with a flat-fee lawyer.
There is no waiting period after filing. Agreed cases usually take about 2 to 3 months. Parents must finish the Child Impact Program within 45 days of filing. Contested cases take much longer, often 8 to 18 months.
A divorce lawyer in New Hampshire costs about $200 to $350 per hour, with an average near $275. Manchester charges the most. A flat fee for a simple agreed case runs $1,500 to $3,500. A contested case costs much more, often $8,000 to $25,000 or more per spouse.
The Bottom Line
How much a divorce costs in NH ranges from $300 for an agreed DIY case to $25,000 or more for a court fight. The filing fee is just $250 to $282. Filing a joint petition together is the biggest cost lever you control. Agree with your spouse, and with no waiting period, your case can finish fast.
To estimate your own number, try our divorce cost calculator. You can also read our pillar guide on how much a divorce costs.
For information only, not legal advice.
