A First Appearance is a court proceeding held in every divorce action filed in New Hampshire with minor children as well as any initial filings for parental rights and responsibilities and/or child support. These proceedings are meant to educate the parties as to the court system and the benefit of mediation. Because the First Appearance is typically the first involvement the parties have ever had with the court system, it may cause some anxiety as to what to expect. In order to alleviate this anxiety, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch has produced a video to describe the First Appearance. Click here to access the New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s Divorce/Parenting web page. Once there, please click the link, “First Appearance Session”.
If you have any questions regarding a divorce, parental rights and responsibilities and/or child support case, please contact one of the experienced attorneys at Hamblett & Kerrigan for a consultation.
Kevin P. Rauseo is a former director at Hamblett & Kerrigan P.A. and has since been appointed as a Justice for the New Hampshire Circuit Court. Please feel free to contact another attorney at Hamblett & Kerrigan to discuss your legal issues.