If you’re navigating separation or divorce in the Granite State and searching for a reliable New Hampshire parenting plan or NH parenting plan form, you’ve come to the right place. As a New Hampshire family law paralegal and template specialist with over twelve years drafting court-ready documents for attorneys and self-represented parents, I’ve helped hundreds of families create clear, judge-approved parenting plans that actually work in real life.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll give you my exact 2025-updated New Hampshire parenting plan template — completely free to download — explain every section line-by-line, show you how to customize it for your family, and point you to the exact RSA statutes and court rules judges expect you to follow. By the end, you’ll have a court-ready document that meets the requirements of RSA 461-A and Form NHJB-2066-F.
Important Disclaimer: This template and article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed New Hampshire family law attorney before filing any document with the court.
New Hampshire law (RSA 461-A:2) requires every divorcing or unmarried parent who shares a child to submit a proposed parenting plan — whether you agree or are heading to a contested hearing. The court will not enter a final parenting decree without one.
A parenting plan is far more than a visitation schedule. It is the legally binding roadmap that governs:
Judges in Rockingham, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Strafford, and every other county review these plans against the “best interests of the child” standard outlined in RSA 461-A:6.
Click below to instantly download my court-tested template in both Microsoft Word (.docx) and PDF formats:
Download NH Parenting Plan Template – Word Version
Download NH Parenting Plan Template – PDF Version
Both files are 100% free, no email required, and are updated for the 2025 Uniform Child Support Guidelines and recent case law.
The New Hampshire Judicial Branch does not provide a mandatory fill-in-the-blank parenting plan form for all cases (unlike the Financial Affidavit). However, Circuit Court Family Division judges strongly prefer plans that mirror the structure of Form NHJB-2066-F (Parenting Plan) when parents agree, and the more detailed Final Decree sections when contested.
Here’s exactly how to complete each section of my template so your plan sails through approval:
Include the court location (e.g., 10th Circuit – Family Division – Brentwood), docket number, and both parties’ full names exactly as they appear on the petition.
New Hampshire now uses “decision-making responsibility” instead of “legal custody.” You have three options under RSA 461-A:5:
Choose primary residential responsibility, shared (50/50), or hybrid. Include the exact address where the child will primarily reside for school registration purposes.
The most common schedules I see approved in 2025:
| Schedule Type | Typical Split | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Every other weekend + one midweek | 70/30 | Young children, long distances |
| 2-2-3 rotation | 50/50 | Cooperative parents within 20 minutes |
| 2-2-5-5 rotation | 50/50 | Most popular in Hillsborough & Rockingham |
| Week-on/week-off | 50/50 | Older teens, very cooperative parents |
Judges hate ambiguity. My template includes a pre-filled holiday chart that alternates every year (odd/even) so you never argue again about Mother’s Day or February vacation.
Specify exact location (e.g., Concord Police Department parking lot) and who drives. Include right-of-first-refusal language if one parent will be away more than 24–48 hours.
Require all non-emergency communication through OurFamilyWizard or TalkingParents (most NH judges now order these apps in high-conflict cases).
Any parent wishing to move more than 60 miles or out of state must give 60 days’ written notice.
Attach the current NH Child Support Guideline Worksheet (available at courts.nh.gov) and specify who carries health insurance.
In my decade-plus reviewing rejected plans:
Do I have to use the court’s form?
No. The Judicial Branch publishes a sample (NHJB-2066-F), but attorneys and experienced paralegals universally use more detailed custom templates like the one I provide.
Can I modify the plan later?
Yes, with a substantial change in circumstances (RSA 461-A:11).
Is 50/50 automatically granted?
No. New Hampshire has no presumption for or against shared residential responsibility. The court looks at 16 specific best-interest factors.
Creating a clear, detailed New Hampshire parenting plan is the single best thing you can do to reduce future conflict and protect your children. My free 2025 template has been used successfully in every county in the state and is regularly praised by judges for its clarity and completeness.
Download it today, customize it to your family’s unique needs, and take the first step toward a more peaceful co-parenting future.
Click Here to Download Your Free NH Parenting Plan Template Now
Remember: This is a starting point. For your specific situation, consult a licensed New Hampshire attorney or visit the Family Division Resource Center in your county.
Sources:
• RSA 461-A – Parental Rights and Responsibilities (gencourt.state.nh.us)
• New Hampshire Circuit Court Family Division Forms (courts.nh.gov)
• 2025 Child Support Guidelines (dhhs.nh.gov)