T.W. Stevens Law Firm

On its face, calculating child support in a NH divorce or parenting action seems easy. In fact, many people do it themselves rather than consult with a lawyer.

You input the number of children and certain income/expense information into a state-mandated formula and out pops the presumptively “correct” amount.

If you are the party obligated to pay child support, you cringe – that’s too much!  If you’re due to receive child support, your shoulders sag – that’s too little!  Both parties suspect the other is getting a better deal.

“The mathematical child support calculation is only the start of the child support inquiry.”

Without a lawyer, you resign yourself to the result because “the law is the law.” Don’t make that mistake. Had you consulted with a lawyer, you would know that the mathematical child support calculation is only the start of the child support inquiry.

There are many other factors that you, the court, the mediator, etc.  should take into consideration when correctly calculating child support.

These factors are too numerous to list here, but suffice it to say that the basic child support amount can be significantly increased or decreased. If you think you’re paying too much child support, or receiving too little child support, contact the T.W. Stevens Law Firm PLLC at (603) 749-6400.

We’ll make sure your child support obligation realistically reflects your income, ability to pay, and needs.

The T.W. Stevens Law Firm has moved to larger quarters.  We are now conveniently located on the corner of Central Avenue and Washington Street in Dover, New Hampshire.  Our new address is 340 Central Avenue, Suite 203, Dover, NH 03820.

The secret to our continued growth? Satisfied clients who appreciate our results oriented, cost-sensitive approach to divorce, child custody, child support and estate planning issues.

Call us today and let’s get started on your legal issues.

Attorney Stevens recently completed the Trial Practice Academy, sponsored by the New Hampshire Association for Justice. The Academy was taught by leading NH trial lawyers, with input and partcipation from no less than ten NH state and federal judges.  Attendance was limited to approximately fifty lawyers, and topics included all aspects of trial practice, including opening statements, cross-examination, expert issues and closing statements.

Why is this important? Because Attorney Stevens is committed to providing you with the highest level of advocacy possible at reasonable rates.  So, if you’re dealing with difficult divorce, child custody, child support or other family law issues, call Attorney Todd Stevens and put his experience to work for you.

New Hampshire courts recognize that divorcing spouses know what’s best for their child. Consequently, they encourage divorcing spouses to agree on child custody and child support voluntarily, without court involvement. If divorcing spouses agree on these issues, the court is very likely to approve the agreements. It follows that the most important thing you can do to minimize the emotional pain, impact on the child, and expense, of your divorce or civil dissolution is for you and your spouse to resolve as many child support and child custody issues as you can.

“Everything ends badly, otherwise it would never end.”

Like most things in life, that’s easier said than done. You are angry. You are sad. You feel betrayed. It’s all [insert your partner's name here] fault. He/she is a cheater. The emotions are valid, but the predictable result is that you want to punish or “get back” at your spouse, and you see the divorce or civil dissolution process as a prime opportunity to do so. You also want to keep “your” child away from “that monster.”

However, you should recognize that there are three important consequences to proceeding in this fashion. First, it is expensive. You will have to pay a lawyer to prove the validiity of every issue you raise. Second, the divorce or civil dissolution takes longer.  There are more hearings, more court involvement, and more rehashing of painful events.  Third, the child’s emotional health may be harmed. Whether you like it or not, study after study has confirmed that children need a meaningful relationship with both parents in their formative years in order to be emotionally healthy and productive adults.

Which brings us back to child custody and child support agreements. Do yourself a favor. Address the emotions you are feeling by talking to someone: a therapist; a priest/rabbi/minister; a loved-one. Don’t let these emotions rob you of the ability to determine what’s best for your child through agreements with your spouse. The agreements will be imperfect, but far better than any solution imposed by a court after painful, costly and lengthy litigation.

At the T.W. Stevens Law Firm, we believe knowledge is power. This is especially true with New Hampshire divorce, child support and child custody issues. If you are facing one of these issues, a great source of general information is the New Hampshire Family Division website of the New Hampshire Judicial Branch. On the website you will find general advice on family law issues, forms, court locations, and other very useful information. New Hampshire family law attorneys use the site and so should you! The internet address of the New Hampshire Family Division website is: http://www.courts.state.nh.us/fdpp/index.htm. And when you ready to move forward with your case, call us and we’d be glad to help.

At the T.W. Stevens Law Firm, we’re no stranger to getting our hands dirty in order to achieve our clients’ goals.  It’s no wonder then, that we’ve adopted a 2-mile stretch of N.H. Route 125 from its intersection with Route 152 to the Lee Traffic Circle. We’re responsible for removing garbage from this section of the highway four times a year. We’ve already completed our first cleaning and are planning our second.  As long-time residents of New Hampshire, we’re proud of our state and more than happy to participate in keeping it clean. So, if you see us picking up garbage on this stretch of road, honk to show your support!

The New Hampshire Supreme Court just issued a written decision in the Goulart case. In the decision, the court held that a parenting plan provisions ordering ordering the father to pay for a child’s college expenses was unenforceable.

If you or your company are stuck in a dispute with another business or with an insurance company, help is on the way. Todd Stevens, of the T.W. Stevens Law Firm located in Dover, NH, is now representing clients in both areas. Why is this important? Because Todd Stevens has ten years of experience negotiating complex issues with Fortune 500 corporations and nationally-known attorneys. He identifies the issues, finds common ground, and negotiates you right out of your dispute. Sound too good to be true? Call Attorney Stevens today and find out how he can help you.

In New Hampshire, a court determines the validity of a prenuptial agreement by looking to “fairness” both at the time of execution and the time of proposed enforcement. You and your spouse sign a prenuptial agreement. You enter into a marriage or civil union. The marriage or civil union breaks down. You’re covered right? Wrong. When it comes time to seek enforcement of the prenuptial agreement, a court will take a “second look” at the prenuptial agreement in order to determine if conditions have changed so dramatically since it was signed as to make it unconscionable to enforce now.