Most people going through a divorce want to get through it as soon as possible so that they can move on with their lives. This is an understandable desire, but achieving it requires some knowledge of state laws and understanding of the divorce process. This article will come in handy for people who want to get divorced quickly in New Hampshire.

Basic Information – Uncontested Divorce

It is widely accepted that uncontested divorce is the fastest way to part ways with a spouse. This refers to a situation when both partners agree on all the terms of their dissolution of marriage, such as:

• Child custody;
• Parenting time;
• Allocation of debts;
• Property division;
• Spousal support.

New Hampshire is quite different from the others as it allows spouses to file a joint petition to the court. Even more interesting is that this petition can be filed even if partners do not agree on every aspect of the divorce. 

However, it is important to understand that coming to terms together is the fastest way to get through the divorce process. After receiving the joint petition, the judge will rule on the unresolved issues, which takes time. So, cooperation between the partners is the key!

Additional Requirements for a Fast Divorce

New Hampshire is a so-called no-fault divorce state, like many others. This means that couples filing for divorce can state that they have irreconcilable differences. Alternatively, a petitioner can state that the other partner’s marital wrongdoing as the reason, such as:

• Cruelty;
• Felony conviction;
• Adultery;
• Impotency;
• Desertion;
• Abandonment;
• Chemical dependency.

However, this is not the desired scenario for couples who want to get divorced fast. Citing such serious reasons for divorce is often met with a dispute of the claims, followed by hearings to present evidence, thus ruining the whole idea of an uncontested divorce.

The Actual Process

With all the requirements covered, it is now possible to explore the process of getting a divorce as fast as possible in New Hampshire. The first step is the preparation of the divorce papers. You can use the services of a lawyer for this purpose but remember that they have other clients, and you’re likely to be in a line to get your papers done.

Thankfully, there are online divorce paperwork preparation services to help you out. They offer the convenience of preparing for divorce over the Internet. These companies are also fast and affordable. They generate your divorce papers in two business days at a low price and even offer a 100% court-approval guarantee.

After getting the papers completed, both spouses should sign their joint petition and have it notarized. This is followed by the preparation of personal data sheets, financial affidavits, and vital statistics forms. 

With that covered, it is possible to file the papers with the court. If your financial situation is not the best, you can apply for a waiver. The judge will review your request and assess whether you qualify for eliminating all fees or not.

One of the best things about states such as New Hampshire and the ability to file a joint petition is it removes a need to serve papers. It is a rather tiresome, costly, and often lengthy process. So, a joint petition means avoiding unnecessary steps and getting things done faster.

However, if partners have children, an additional step has to be taken. Couples with children have to attend a child impact seminar to learn how divorce affects their offspring. After getting a certificate of completion, it can be submitted to the court – remember to do this before the final hearing, or you can get penalized by the court.

The last part is the actual court hearing. If both partners agree on everything and indicate this in their joint petition, they can request a date for the final hearing. Prior to this hearing, partners need to sign and file a document known as the final decree on divorce. 

After this is done, at least one party should show up to the hearing, where the judge will ask several questions and sign the decree, finalizing the divorce.

If there is no full agreement in the joint petition, spouses can request a temporary hearing to resolve their contested issues with the help of a judge. This sort of mediation will continue until all the parties settle or a judge decides how to cover the conflicts.

Final Word

As it is possible to see, it is possible to go through a divorce quickly in New Hampshire. A joint petition considerably eases the lives of both partners going through an uncontested divorce. Hopefully, this guide will help you out in making your divorce as fast as possible.