New Hampshire child support and parenting time totals
In New Hampshire, the amount of child support is figured based on a percentage of the nonresidential parent's income, and parenting time doesn't factor into the formula.
New Hampshire uses a basic child support formula that uses one parent's income to determine the amount of payment. Accurate parenting time numbers don't directly affect your child support, whether you pay or receive.
You can use the calculator above to estimate your child support amount.
Most parenting time totals are estimates (and thus incorrect)
New Hampshire lawyers and judges often rely on parenting time estimates, even if they are incorrect, because counting parenting time is tedious and time consuming. Divorcing parents often rely on these estimates as well.
Using estimates means your parenting time totals are wrong when compared to your actual parenting time schedule. Keep your parenting time fair and exact with accurate records.
How to calculate parenting time instead of relying on estimates
To calculate parenting time, the easiest and most accurate way is to use software. Without software, you're forced to add up hours for a whole year, which is error-prone when you include alternating holidays, summer break, and any changes to the schedule throughout the year.
Using software, you can also tweak your schedule to see how even little changes affect your total parenting time, and you can see how your parenting time changes each year due to holidays and other events.
You can also track what actually happens, and show how much parenting time you've actually received for any period of time. Historical information is a powerful tool when you request a child support modification or when you request more parenting time.
Fast facts about New Hampshire child support
In a New Hampshire physical custody case, the family court will designate a primary physical custodian. The residential parent hosts the children the majority of the time. The nonresidential parent has visitation time.
A New Hampshire family court awards joint physical custody to most cases, except where the children's best interests or a parent's health or safety are an issue.
New Hampshire family courts must comply with the child support guidelines as specified in the statute, but a court has the right to deviate. According to New Hampshire law, 458-C:5, a deviation is allowed in the case of "ongoing extraordinary medical, dental or education expenses, including expenses related to the special needs of a child."
New Hampshire child support formula and parenting time totals
In New Hampshire, the child support formula starts with both parents' combined net income, then considers the number of children to support. For example, if the parents' combined net income is over $125,000:
- One child = 19% of the combined income
- Two children = 26% of the combined income
- Three children = 31% of the combined income
- Four children or more = 33.5% of the combined income
This amount will be divided between the parents in proportion to their incomes. The parent with the higher income therefore pays the other.
If you have similar incomes or similar parenting time
Beginning in 2025, New Hampshire considers your parenting time split. This makes it important to write a parenting schedule.
If you have "substantially similar incomes":
- If you have equal or near-equal parenting time, the court assumes there will be no child support order.
- If you have a "substantially shared parenting schedule," the court assumes that your child support amount will deviate from the guidelines.
These are "rebuttable presumptions," meaning you can argue against them in court and try to get a different outcome.
If one of you earns much more than the other:
- If your parenting time is not equal, near-equal nor "substantially shared," the court assumes that the guidelines will calculate the appropriate amount. This is also a rebuttable presumption.
- If your parenting time is equal, near-equal nor "substantially shared," the court decides whether to use the amount recommended by the guidelines. The court may make adjustments in the best interests of the children. The court primarily considers whether both parents are financially able to meet the child's needs in a "a similar or approximately equal style."
Why accurate parenting time percentages are important in New Hampshire
Accurate parenting time percentages are important because in New Hampshire law, 458-C:1-5, New Hampshire law allows for certain exceptions to be made in the child support amount if you can show you qualify for special consideration.
The law states that the court may deviate from the standard child support guidelines when it finds "any extraordinary costs associated with physical custody." This could include instances where the nonresidential parent hosts the children for overnights that far exceed a standard parenting time schedule.
While this scenario is rare, at least you can present the court with accurate parenting time numbers.
Other factors in the New Hampshire child support formula
New Hampshire's child support formula uses the following information to calculate your monthly amounts for joint custody child support:
- The number of children who are under 18 or 19 if a child is still in high school and will graduate by age 19.
- Certain deduction amounts, such as the cost of health insurance premiums for the children or the cost of child care.
- A pre-existing child support or alimony obligation by either parent
How accurate child support helps your children
Paying accurate child support helps your children in several ways, primarily because it ensures their financial needs are met.
Here are some other reasons why accurate overnight numbers help you, the other parent and your children:
- It provides a fair way to determine your child support amounts
- It guarantees the child support amount reflects each parent's responsibilities
- It allows for modifications if your actual time and scheduled time are different
- It is compliant with New Hampshire law
Your financial obligations to your children don't end with divorce, so whether you are paying or receiving child support, you owe it to your children to pay or receive the proper amount.
Top 3 things to remember about New Hampshire child support and parenting time
To ensure you are paying or receiving the right amount of child support in New Hampshire, remember:
- State-specific child support guidelines are found in the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, Chapter 458-C.
- New Hampshire figures child support amounts based on your combined net income and how many children you have.
- New Hampshire family courts can order a deviation from the standard child support formula based on parenting time.
Use the Custody X Change app to accurately calculate your parenting time to present to a New Hampshire family court.