New Hampshire Laws

Click on the links below to view the complete text of the New Hampshire laws pertaining to:

Domestic Violence

Sexual Assault

Stalking

Mediation

In New Hampshire if you are going through a divorce or custody dispute there is a strong chance that rather than going before a judge in family court you may first be referred to something called mediation.

Mediation is a way of working out differences in a divorce or a custody case (*see parental rights and responsibilities below) outside of a courtroom. In mediation the two parties involved meet with someone known as a mediator. The point of mediation is to try and reach an agreement on the issues without having to go back into a courtroom.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and you are referred to mediation there are many things to consider. An advocate with your local domestic violence provider can talk about your options and why you may not have to participate in mediation. For more information call the toll free statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-866-644-3574.

Voting

There are a couple of options that victims have in order to try and keep themselves and their information safe when considering whether to vote. To learn more about the voting rights of victims and survivors in NH, please download the brochure below or click on the below link for additional information.

Download Domestic Violence & Voting Brochure

Learn more about voting rights in NH

additional resources:

New Hampshire Courts
Click here for information on court hours of operation, or where to file a domestic violence or stalking restraining order This page contains information about different legal services available across the state. You can also contact your local Coalition member program for help finding information in your community.

Lawyer Referral Service
(603) 229-0002 – email: LRSreferral@nhbar.org
LRS provides attorney referrals to members of the public who have legal problems/issues (from personal injury and consumer matters to family law) and can afford to pay for legal services. Referrals may be requested on-line at www.nhbar.org, under the Lawyer Referral Service menu option.

Modest Means Legal Program
(603) 715-3290 – email: SVermacy@nhbar.org
This Program connects lower-income individuals – able to pay something for an attorney's services – with lawyers providing legal services at reduced rates. Applicants may apply on-line at www.nhbar.org under the Lawyer Referral Service menu option.

The Pro Bono Referral Program
Pro Bono links low-income people with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal services in family law, bankruptcy, consumer, housing and senior citizen matters. Most individuals must apply through the Legal Advice and Referral Center at 1 (800) 639-5290 or (603) 224-3333. If seeking help with bankruptcy and/or debt collection, callers should contact the Pro Bono Program directly at 224-5387 for an application.

The Low-Income Taxpayer Project
(603) 228-6028
The Taxpayer Project assists qualified individuals with federal income tax disputes through referrals to volunteer attorneys for free advice and/or representation.

The DOVE Project
Call your local crisis center or:
1 (866) 644-3574 – Domestic Violence Hotline
1 (800) 277-5570 – Sexual Assault Hotline
The Domestic Violence Emergency or DOVE Project provides free legal representation for qualifying survivors of domestic violence at final restraining order hearings.

Lawline
1 (800) 868–1212 - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Volunteer lawyers provide free legal information over the phone on the second Wednesday of each month only.
Legal Advice and Referral Center (LARC)
www.larcnh.org  - 1 (800) 639-5290 or (603) 224-3333
LARC provides free legal information, advice and referrals to low-income people with family law, local welfare and housing issues, including Pro Se assistance. LARC refers cases to Pro Bono, NHLA and other legal service agencies.

New Hampshire Legal Assistance (NHLA)
NHLA provides free legal advice and representation to low–income people in civil matters involving basic needs, including food, shelter, income and medical care. Online at www.nhla.org.
Claremont - 1 (800) 562-3994 or (603) 542-8795
Manchester  -1 (800) 562-3174 or (603) 668-2900
Portsmouth  - 1 (800) 334-3135 or (603) 431-7411
Berlin - 1 (800) 698-8969 or (603) 752-1102
Concord - 1 (800) 921-1115 or (603) 223-9750

Legal Advice Line
A service of New Hampshire Legal Assistance, provides free legal advice in civil matters for senior citizens 60 and older.
(603) 624-6000 (Manchester area)
1 (888) 353-9944

Disabilities Rights Center
www.drcnh.org  - 1 (800) 834-1721 or (603) 228-0432 Voice and TDD
DRC provides information, referrals, legal advice and legal representation in the area of civil and other legal rights of people with disabilities.

UNH School of Law, Civil Practice Clinic
(603) 225-3350
The Civil Practice Clinic assists low-income clients with a variety of issues from consumer protection, collection and foreclosure defense, (including Chapter 13 bankruptcy), predatory lending, auto fraud, unemployment, worker's compensation and landlord/tenant matters (for tenants in eviction process only). The clinic will take cases from Merrimack, Belknap, Sullivan and Hillsborough counties.