On February 3, 2009, David Braiterman testified against a New Hampshire House of Representatives bill before the Children and Family Law Committee that would prescribe "comparable parenting" rights and responsibilities for parents as the presumed best result for children. Objections to the bill included that it is not universally true that children always do better with equal rights of parents in sharing time with children because every situation is different. Also the use of the term "comparable" is not defined in the bill and definitions of what it means varies from person to person. Read David's written submission on the bill.

David Braiterman has been reappointed to a second term as a public member of the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice by Governor John Lynch. The Board considers license applications for the five mental health professions in New Hampshire, and conducts disciplinary reviews of professional misconduct. The Board is actively revising its administrative rules for distribution and comment. David Braiterman testified against House Bill 170 relative to the composition of occupational and professional licensing boards before the New Hampshire House Executive Departments and Administration Committee on February 8, 2007. To view his written testimony, click here.

The Family Division Court opened in Merrimack County on September 4, 2007. Previously, courts in Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, Rockingham and Sullivan counties have converted to the Family Division Court structure. Strafford County went Family Division January 1, 2008. Cheshire and Hillsborough counties are the last courts in the state to go to the Family Division, effective January 1, 2010. Contact Us to discuss how the change to the Family Division may affect your case.

The Family Division changes the location of courthouses for the counties, who the judges will be, and the jurisdiction to hear different kinds of cases. Cases previously heard in the Merrimack County Superior Court, the Merrimack County Probate Court, and the district courts throughout Merrimack County pertaining to family law matters are now being heard in the four Merrimack County Family Division locations in Concord, Henniker, Franklin, and Hooksett. Mediation is strongly encouraged in the Family Division.

The New Hampshire Citizen Commission on the State Courts issued its final report in June 2006. This important study report recommends a host of changes to court procedures at all levels of New Hampshire's Judicial Branch to improve access to courts and the quality of justice. If you are representing yourself for all or part of your case, be sure to read the Judicial Page self-help site for useful information on how to prepare for court and how to conduct yourself when you go. Even if you are representing yourself, our office can help identify issues and strategies to assist you for a lot less cost than us going with you to court. Though not necessarily as good as having professional representation, "behind the scenes" help is a lot better than going it entirely on your own. Contact us if you want to discuss how we can help.

Browse to our Seminars page to see what' coming soon on our calendar to discuss practice areas in family law and estate planning.

Effective January 1, 2007, the New Hampshire Legislature has enacted a new combined form for a durable power of attorney for health care and declaration of living will. Previously the two were separate documents, sometimes confusing some people whether they needed both, and giving them two documents to address some of the same end of life decisions. The new law improves and clarifies the significance of medical "Do Not Resucitate (DNR)" orders. Older documents that people may have signed are still valid under the new law but if you want to consider the newer versions along with the improved DNR provisions, contact us.