What are the Child Support Guidelines in NH?

Recently, the New Hampshire legislature passed New Hampshire House Bill 597. This bill revised the child support guidelines and calculates child support using an “income shares model”. According to child support guidelines statute RSA 458-C:1-3 (effective 7/1/13), an “income shares model” presumes that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income that the child would have received if the parents lived together.

This differs from the current child support guidelines in that the current guidelines presume: (1) both parents share responsibility for supporting their children; (2) children in the obligor's initial family should be entitled to the standard of living equal to that of any subsequent family; and (3) the percentage of income paid as support should vary by number of children to be supported and not to income level.

If you currently have a child support order, the new law will not change that order until the next scheduled review hearing or unless the parties agree. Additionally, the fact that the child support guidelines have been revised does not equate to a “substantial change in circumstances” and, therefore, is not grounds to seek to modify your current child support order.

Calculating Child Support Payments in New Hampshire

The amount of child support a person owes is based on his or her income and the number of children the individual has. These numbers are calculated into a formula created by the Guidelines that yields the amount of support owed. This number is presumed to be correct. A person is responsible to pay child support until the child reaches the age of 18, graduates high school, marries, or joins the armed services, whichever is later. Child support and alimony are not the same thing and child support cannot be used a substitute for alimony.

See New Hampshire's Uniform Support Order form.

Request a Free Consultation with a New Hampshire Family Attorney

To learn more about much child support you would be expected to pay, contact Attorney Katharine Phinney for a free, confidential consultation.