Copyright H.Hastings 2007-2011	Legal Updates Since Publication as of January 2012 See current court divorce & parenting forms at: http://www.courts.state.nh.us/fdpp/forms/allforms.htm#divorce. Note to readers in Cheshire County: The Superior Court is still handling divorce and parenting cases, and some procedures are different from those described in the book. Contact the court at 603.352.6902. Effective 1 January 2010, same-sex couple marriages became legal. Effective 1 January 2011, any remaining NH civil unions became marriages. Same-sex marriages/divorces differ from heterosexual marriages because federal law does not recognize them. This impacts taxes and other financial issues. pp. 8 & 53 - The percentage of cases resolved by mediation has increased and may now equal, or even exceed, the percentage resolved through lawyers. p. 40 - Many families can mediate (or collaboratively resolve) temporary or final issues several months (or up to a year for final issues) before the court is able to schedule a hearing. p. 52 - If the “team model” is used, some meetings involve the clients meeting with a coach, child specialist, or financial professionals. pp. 57 & 92 - Cases filed on or after 1 Dec. 2011 require the exchange of certain financial information within 45 days. See http://www.courts.state.nh.us/forms/nhjb-2666-f.pdf for details. pp. 57 & 58 - The court is now scheduling contested final hearings automatically. The date is often 9-12 months in the future. p. 107 - Agreed-on divorces usually take effect 4-8 weeks after filing. Chapter 14 - Consult a tax preparer for current exemptions/deductions. pp. 138 & 139 - The state is no longer paying GAL fees for indigent parents. As a result, GALs are less frequently appointed. p. 148 - The limits on child care expenses have been eliminated.

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