What are the grounds for divorce in New Hampshire?
“Grounds” are the legal basis for the divorce. In New Hampshire, approximately 99% of divorces are “no-fault,” that is, based on “irreconcilable differences that have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage.” You may also file for divorce on fault grounds – including extreme cruelty (domestic violence), adultery, conduct that endangered health or reason, drunkenness for 2 years, and even your spouse joining the Shakers. (Because of the harm to children, and increase in adversarielness I do not handle fault ground cases.
New Hampshire has ten grounds or causes for divorce. A divorce can be granted on the ground that irreconcilable differences have caused the breakdown of the marriage. Irreconcilable differences is probably the most common ground upon which divorces are granted. Alternatively, a divorce can be granted upon a fault ground such as adultery, extreme cruelty, or habitual drunkenness.
