The New Hampshire

Family Law Letter

September– October 2003

Emerging law:

Update on College Expenses

Debate is heating up in the Granite State on whether our courts should have the authority to order divorced parents to pay for their children’s college expenses. The Manchester Union Leader says no; the Nashua Telegraph says the Legislature should stop short of “wiping out any responsibility for a divorced parent to provide financial aid to college-bound children.” What do we say? Read this article

Court-Ordered Child Support

For anyone facing divorce and looking ahead at how life will change, its financial impact is a logical starting point. And for parents of minor children, child support will likely be a big part of the story. Read this article

Divorce on Fault Grounds

In the May-June Family Law Letter we discussed no-fault divorce and said only nine statutory fault grounds remain on the books in New Hampshire. We look at them here—and explain why over 95% of all New Hampshire divorces are granted on the ground of irreconcilable differences, or no-fault. Read this article

Questions and Answers:

What is a guardian ad litem?

When divorcing parents disagree about custody or visitation, the court will generally appoint a guardian ad litem, or “GAL,” to represent the interests of the children and report to the court as to what arrangements would serve them best. What does a GAL do? Is their word final? Should I ask for one? Read this article