Bill > HB1615

This bill establishes a new legal framework in New Hampshire for "contract marriage" as an alternative to traditional licensed marriage. Specifically, the bill creates a comprehensive system allowing consenting adults to enter into a marriage agreement that is governed exclusively by civil contract law, rather than family law statutes. Under this framework, couples can create a custom marriage contract with specific terms, conditions, and expectations, which must be voluntarily agreed upon and signed with informed consent. The contract marriage will be legally recognized for administrative purposes like tax filings and benefits, but will not be subject to traditional marriage laws regarding divorce, spousal support, or other standard marital presumptions. The bill provides detailed provisions for forming, filing, converting existing marriages, and dissolving these contract marriages, and mandates that all state agencies and public entities treat contract marriages as equivalent to licensed marriages. Importantly, the bill explicitly preserves existing child welfare and support laws, ensuring that child-related matters remain under family court jurisdiction. The new law would take effect on January 1, 2027, and allows existing married couples to convert their licensed marriage to a contract marriage within 12 months of the law's implementation.

Justice

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1840&inflect=2