New Hampshire Child Support Enforcement Resource Center

• New Hampshire Support Enforcement Measures
• Who Can Enforce Court Ordered Child Support in New Hampshire
• New Hampshire Child Support Services Caseload Statistics
• Interest on Missed Child Support Payments
• Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support
• Statute of Limitations for Determination of Paternity
• Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority
• How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in New Hampshire?
• Custody and Visitation Issues

Even if the non-custodial parent lives outside the state of New Hampshire, the law requires cooperation between states. The non-custodial parent is legally required to make regular child support payments, regardless of where they live.

New Hampshire Support Enforcement Measures

If a non-custodial parent does not pay child support, he or she is subject to enforcement measures in accordance with Federal and New Hampshire child support law to collect regular and past-due payments.

• Wage withholding
• Reporting delinquent payors to credit bureaus
• Driver's, recreational, and professional license revocation
• Taking tax refunds
• Preventing the issuance of passports
• Placement of liens on assets
• Garnishment of bank accounts or investments
• Taking lottery winnings

Who Can Enforce Court Ordered Child Support in New Hampshire?

The New Hampshire Division of Child Support Services is the state-run child support enforcement office for New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is required by federal law to provide services through Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) and is funded by the federal government and the state of New Hampshire.

NEW HAMPSHIRE DCSS CASELOAD STATISTICS1
Full Time Equiv. Staff	168
Total Caseload	37,426

^{1 U.S. Office of Child Support Enforcement, Boxscores for FY 2005}

Interest on Missed Child Support Payments

New Hampshire does not make provisions for interest to be charged on late child support payments, retroactive support, or adjudicated arrears.

New Hampshire's Statute of Limitations on Back Child Support Payments (Arrears)

Pursuant to RSA 458:17,VII, support payments become judgments when due and payable by operation of law. Once a debt is a judgment, the New Hampshire statute of limitations to enforce a child support order is 20 years.

New Hampshire's Statute of Limitations for Determination of Paternity

In New Hampshire paternity action must commence by the child's 18th birthday.

Age of Emancipation / Age of Majority in New Hampshire

The age of emancipation in New Hampshire is age 18 or when the child completes high school, whichever is later; becomes married or a member of the armed services; unless children are declared legally dependent beyond that age due to mental or physical disability; or unless the court has otherwise ordered support to continue beyond age 18. (RSA 458:35-c)

How Are Child Support Payment Amounts Determined in New Hampshire?

The monthly child support obligation in New Hampshire is established in accordance with the NH Child Support Guidelines.

NH DCSS provides an online child support payment calculator to estimate child support obligation.

Custody and Visitation Issues

Child support and visitation rights are separate issues. The court determines both and will usually order the non-custodial parent to pay support and the custodial parent to make the child available for visits.

The custodial parent must obey the court order for visitation, even if the non-custodial parent cannot or will not pay child support. The court can enforce any of its orders against either parent.

Call Us Toll Free: 1-888-78-CHILD (782-4453)

Success Stories

ANOTHER SATISFIED CLIENT

Deborah F.

New Mexico

“It had been nearly 20 years with little or no payment of child support. Then I learned that my former spouse was about to receive an enormous lump sum payment from a government agency. Knowing that if the funds were not frozen immediately there would be little hope of recovery. I began to contact child support agencies in two states and then out-of-state attorneys.

The state child support enforcement office told me that it would take at least 12 weeks to open a case before any actions could be taken! Most of the attorneys were too busy to take the case, didn't believe me, or couldn't act for weeks. Online, I learned of Support Collectors and called them. After speaking to a very professional and helpful young man, I filled out their application and carefully documented my information. In less than 5 days, child support liens were served to the various parties! Without the quick action of Support Collectors, there would have been no possibility of collection.”

ANOTHER SATISFIED CLIENT

David B.

Oregon

“I am a single dad and the father of two children. Many times you hear stories of deadbeat dads, but rarely do you hear the same term used against mothers who have become deadbeat moms and are not sharing in the responsibility of raising their children.

Several years ago, I got fed up with the State and County officials at the Division of Child Support. After many years of trying to work with my local child support officials I realized that they were overwhelmed, understaffed and ultimately a waste of my time. DCS was unable to obtain child support arrears from my ex wife who had abandoned the children when they were just 2 and 3 years old. The very first month after Support Collectors took over the collections aspect of obtaining child support I received a payment. I was floored.

If you've gone years without receiving a child support payment, Support Collectors can and will get the job done. I more than likely would have never received a thing had it not been for Support Collectors.”