NH Family Law Research Guide: Rules, Statutes, Protocols

The Family Division has it's own set of rules for court procedure, which can differ from civil court procedure. Reviewing these rules may help a case greatly.

New Hampshire Statutes

Each section of the NH Family Law Research Guide includes links to the specific statutes for that section.

The following statutes directly relate to Family Law:

Protocols

There are established protocols for how cases are conducted in particular family court matters. T he protocols are helpful in understanding and applying the law. These protocols are used by judicial officers and court personnel as "best practice" manuals. Any time the word judge is used, it may refer to a judge or marital master, with the term judge referring to any judicial officer. Not every scenario is contemplated and the facts of each individual case must guide the court through the decision making process.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTOCOL

Introduction and Acknowledgments & Advisory Committee List
CHAPTER 1– GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2– DEFINITIONS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PROTECTED PERSONS
CHAPTER 3 – EMERGENCY TELEPHONIC ORDERS
CHAPTER 4 – WHERE TO FILE
CHAPTER 5 – COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS AND TEMPORARY RELIEF AVAILABLE
CHAPTER 6 – SERVICE OF PROCESS AND THE DEFENDANT’S ANSWER
CHAPTER 7 – FINAL HEARING
CHAPTER 8 – FAILURE TO PROSECUTE, DISMISSALS AND WITHDRAWALS
CHAPTER 9 – MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS
CHAPTER 10 – VIOLATIONS OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND CONTEMPT
CHAPTER 11 – GUARDIAN AD LITEM
CHAPTER 12 – BAIL CRIMINAL ORDERS OF PROTECTION
CHAPTER 13 – OTHER CRIMINAL ISSUES
CHAPTER 14 – FIREARMS AND OTHER DEADLY WEAPONS IN CIVIL PROTECTIVE ORDER CASES
CHAPTER 15 – FULL FAITH AND CREDIT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDERS
CHAPTER 16 – SUPERVISED VISITATION AND ACCESS SERVICES
CHAPTER 17 – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REGISTRY
CHAPTER 18 – STALKING
CHAPTER 19 – BATTERER INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
APPENDICES

PROTOCOLS RELATIVE TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES AND PERMANENCY PLANNING

CHAPTER 1A-BILL F. HEARING
CHAPTER 1 -GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 2 - PETITION, SUMMONS, COURT'S APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL FOR PARENTS, GAL OR CASA GAL AND COUNSEL FOR CHILD
CHAPTER 3 - PROTECTIVE CUSTODY BY THE POLICE AND THE 24-HOUR PROTECTIVE CUSTODY HEARING
CHAPTER 4 - EX PARTE REQUEST BY DCYF OR A POLICE OFFICER
CHAPTER 5 - PRELIMINARY HEARING
CHAPTER 6 - CONSENT DECREE
CHAPTER 7 - ADJUDICATORY HEARING
CHAPTER 8 - DISPOSITIONAL HEARING
CHAPTER 9 - APPEAL OF FINAL DISPOSITIONAL ORDER
CHAPTER 10 - REVIEW HEARING
CHAPTER11 - PERMANENCY HEARING

CHAPTER 12 - TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS (TPR)
CHAPTER 13 - SURRENDER OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
CHAPTER 14 - VOLUNTARY MEDIATION
CHAPTER 15 - ADOPTION