New Hampshire Parenting Time Calculator

New Hampshire calculates parenting time by counting the number of overnights each parent has with the child annually, then dividing by 365 to determine the percentage. Under RSA 461-A:4, parenting plans must specify exact overnight schedules including regular weekday and weekend time, holidays, and vacations. For example, every-other-weekend equates to approximately 52 overnights or 14%, while a 2-2-3 rotation provides each parent 50% or 182-183 overnights per year.

Under RSA 458-C:5, effective January 2025, a "substantially shared parenting schedule" requires each parent to have greater than 35% of parenting time, which equals approximately 128 overnights per year. An "approximately equal parenting schedule" requires each parent to exceed 40% (146+ overnights). When parents meet the 35% threshold and have substantially similar incomes, there is a rebuttable presumption that deviation from standard child support guidelines is appropriate.

A 2-2-3 custody schedule in New Hampshire rotates children between parents in a two-week pattern: Parent A has the child Monday-Tuesday, Parent B has Wednesday-Thursday, then they alternate three-day weekends (Friday-Sunday). This schedule results in exactly 50% parenting time for each parent (182-183 overnights annually). New Hampshire courts recognize this arrangement under RSA 461-A as meeting the "approximately equal parenting schedule" standard requiring each parent to have greater than 40% time.

New Hampshire uses a parenting time credit formula under RSA 458-C:5 that directly reduces child support obligations based on overnight percentages. The formula multiplies the parenting time percentage by the total support obligation to calculate the credit, which is then subtracted from the base amount. When both parents exceed 35% parenting time with substantially similar incomes, there is a rebuttable presumption of $0 child support—a significant change effective January 2025.

Yes, New Hampshire allows parenting plan modifications under RSA 461-A:11 when circumstances substantially change. Valid grounds include: mutual parental agreement, repeated interference with parenting time, a detrimental environment for the child, work schedule changes affecting availability, or significant changes in travel distance between homes. For modifications based on a child's young age at the original order, you must wait at least 5 years before requesting changes.

New Hampshire law under RSA 461-A:4 recognizes that parenting schedules for young children may differ from those for older children, giving courts discretion to craft age-appropriate plans. Common toddler arrangements include shorter, more frequent exchanges rather than extended overnights, such as 2-2-3 patterns or several shorter visits per week. The statute specifically allows parents to seek modification after 5 years if the original schedule was based on the child's young age.

Under New Hampshire Circuit Court Rule 2.18 and RSA 461-A:4, every parenting plan must address holiday, birthday, and vacation scheduling. Common approaches include alternating major holidays annually (Thanksgiving with one parent in odd years, the other in even years), splitting holidays into morning and evening portions, or designating certain holidays to specific parents permanently. Extended school breaks and summer vacation must also be specified in the plan.

First right of refusal is a parenting plan provision where a parent must offer the other parent childcare before using a babysitter or third party during their parenting time. While not mandated by New Hampshire statute, this clause can be negotiated into parenting agreements under RSA 461-A:4. Common triggers are absences of 5-8 hours or overnight periods. Parents should specify minimum time thresholds and notification requirements to avoid disputes.