📍 Family law attorney serving Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Portsmouth and all of NH  ·  (603) 637-1637
Family Law · New Hampshire

A Family Law Attorney in New Hampshire Focused on Your Children and Your Future

Divorce, parenting plans, custody, child support, alimony, and post-divorce modifications — handled directly by an experienced New Hampshire attorney who takes the time to understand your family. Clear guidance, honest advice, and steady representation when it matters most.

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Licensed in NH & MA
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Direct Attorney Access
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Focused, Personal Representation

Family law decisions shape your life and your children's lives for years. Whether you are beginning a divorce, working out a parenting plan, or seeking to modify an existing order, having the right attorney early protects what matters most. Call (603) 637-1637.

Family law is not just about the law — it is about people. The goal is a resolution your family can actually live with, reached with as little conflict and cost as the situation allows.

Comprehensive Family Law Representation in New Hampshire

From uncontested divorces to contested custody and post-decree modifications, Granfield Legal Services represents parents and spouses across New Hampshire — with Massachusetts representation available.

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Divorce & Legal Separation

New Hampshire is a no-fault divorce state under RSA 458. We guide you through property division, debt allocation, and the full dissolution process — contested or uncontested.

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Parenting Plans & Custody

Every NH case involving children requires a parenting plan under RSA 461-A. We help you build a workable plan for decision-making responsibility and a residential schedule that fits your children's lives.

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Child Support

New Hampshire calculates child support under the RSA 458-C guidelines. We make sure income, parenting time, and allowable adjustments are applied correctly — for the paying or receiving parent.

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Alimony & Spousal Support

NH's alimony statute (RSA 458:19-a) uses a formula-based approach to amount and duration. We advise on what to expect and advocate for a fair result on either side.

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Modifications & Enforcement

Life changes. We handle petitions to modify parenting plans, child support, and alimony under the correct legal standard — and enforcement when an order is being ignored.

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Relocation & Move-Away Cases

Moving with a child triggers a specific process under RSA 461-A:12. We represent both relocating parents and parents opposing a move that would disrupt their parenting time.

Modifying a New Hampshire Parenting Plan Is Not Automatic

One of the most common questions we hear is whether an existing custody or parenting arrangement can be changed. In New Hampshire, it can — but only if you meet the specific legal standard, not simply because circumstances feel different.

The Burden Is on the Parent Requesting the Change

Under RSA 461-A:11, the parent asking to modify a parenting plan carries the burden of proof, and a judge may only change the plan if one of the statute's enumerated grounds is met. The most demanding of these — a change to where a child primarily lives over the other parent's objection — generally requires proving by clear and convincing evidence that the child's present environment is detrimental. Common grounds include:

  • Agreement — both parents agree to the modification.
  • Detrimental environment — clear and convincing evidence that the current environment harms the child's physical, mental, or emotional health, and the benefit of the change outweighs the harm of disruption.
  • Repeated interference — one parent has repeatedly and without justification interfered with the other's parenting time.
  • A "not working" equal schedule — parents share roughly equal time and the arrangement is no longer functioning.
  • A mature child's preference — clear and convincing evidence that a child is mature enough to state a sound, considered preference.
  • Minimal-change and schedule-based grounds — smaller adjustments tied to relocation distance, a changed work schedule, or a child's age.

Want the full breakdown with New Hampshire case examples? Read our guide: Modifying a Parenting Plan in New Hampshire →

Working With a New Hampshire Family Law Attorney

A clear process, from the first call through a final agreement or court order.

Confidential Consultation

We listen to your situation, explain your rights and options in plain language, and give you an honest assessment of what to expect.

Strategy & Filing

We define your goals — for your children, your finances, and your future — and prepare the petitions, parenting plan, and financial affidavits your case requires.

Negotiation & Mediation

Most NH family cases resolve by agreement. We negotiate and mediate toward a fair resolution while protecting your position if court becomes necessary.

Resolution or Hearing

Whether your case settles or is decided by a judge, we advocate for an outcome your family can live with — and make sure the final order is clear and enforceable.

Family Law Attorney Serving All of New Hampshire

Divorce, custody, and family law representation for clients across New Hampshire — by phone, video, or in-person consultation. Massachusetts family law representation is also available.

Manchester, NHHillsborough County
Concord, NHMerrimack County
Nashua, NHSouthern NH
Portsmouth, NHSeacoast Region
Keene, NHCheshire County
Dover, NHStrafford County
Laconia, NHLakes Region
Lebanon, NHUpper Valley
Bedford, NHHillsborough County
Derry, NHRockingham County
Salem, NHRockingham County
Statewide NHAll counties served

What NH Family Law Clients Say

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"Bill explained the parenting plan process so clearly that what felt overwhelming became manageable. He kept the focus on my kids and never let it turn into a fight for its own sake."
— NH Client, Divorce & Parenting Plan
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"I needed to modify our custody order after my ex moved. Bill was honest about what the law required and built a strong case. I always knew where things stood."
— NH Client, Parenting Plan Modification
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"Direct, responsive, and fair. He negotiated a child support and alimony arrangement I could actually live with instead of dragging everything through court."
— NH Client, Divorce & Support

Family Law New Hampshire: FAQ

Is New Hampshire a no-fault divorce state?
Yes. Under RSA 458, New Hampshire allows no-fault divorce based on irreconcilable differences that have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage. Fault grounds still exist and can be relevant in limited circumstances, but most NH divorces proceed on a no-fault basis.
How is custody decided in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire no longer uses the word "custody" in its statutes. Instead, RSA 461-A requires a parenting plan that allocates "decision-making responsibility" and "residential responsibility" based on the best interests of the child. Judges strongly favor arrangements that keep both fit parents meaningfully involved.
Can I change an existing parenting plan or custody order?
Sometimes. Under RSA 461-A:11, the parent seeking the change carries the burden of proof and must fit one of the statute's specific grounds — such as the parents' agreement, repeated interference, a mature child's preference, or clear and convincing evidence that the child's present environment is detrimental. A change is not granted simply because a parent is unhappy with the current order. Our guide to modifying a parenting plan in New Hampshire explains the standard in detail.
How is child support calculated in New Hampshire?
Child support is calculated using the guidelines in RSA 458-C, which apply a formula to the parents' combined net income and the number of children, with adjustments for items like health insurance, childcare, and parenting time in certain cases. Courts can deviate from the guideline amount only for specific reasons stated on the record.
How does alimony work in New Hampshire?
Since the 2019 alimony reform, RSA 458:19-a provides a formula-based approach to both the amount and the duration of term alimony in most cases. The amount is generally tied to the difference in the parties' incomes, and the length is tied to how long the marriage lasted. We can estimate a likely range for your situation.
How much does a family law attorney cost in New Hampshire?
It depends on whether your matter is contested and how complex the issues are. We discuss fees openly at the outset so you understand the likely cost before committing. Call (603) 637-1637 for a consultation.

Facing a Divorce, Custody, or Parenting Plan Issue in New Hampshire?

Talk directly with an experienced New Hampshire family law attorney about your situation and your options.

(603) 637-1637 Start Intake Available by phone, video, or in person  ·  Serving all of New Hampshire