Rule 1.24 – Pleading Requirements

May 14, 2021 | Family Law, New Hampshire

A. All pleadings and the appearance and withdrawal of counsel shall be signed by the attorney of record or an associate or by a pro se party. Names, addresses, New Hampshire Bar identification numbers, and telephone numbers shall be typed or stamped beneath all signatures on papers to be filed or served. No attorney or pro se party will be heard until an appearance is properly filed.
B.

(1)In Cases Not Subject to Electronic Filing. In any case filed in the family division in which the electronic filing pilot program has not been implemented, see http://www.courts.state.nh.us/circuitcourt/efilingcourts.htm, the signature of an attorney, or a party under oath, constitutes a certificate that the pleading has been read by the person signing the document; that to the best of the person’s knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it; and that it is not filed for delay. If a pleading is not signed, or is signed with an intent to defeat this rule, it may be stricken and the action may proceed as though the pleading had not been filed.
(2)In Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. In any case filed in the family division in which the electronic filing pilot program has been implemented, see http://www.courts.state.nh.us/circuitcourt/efilingcourts.htm, the signature of an attorney or a party constitutes a certificate that the pleading has been read by the person signing the document; that to the best of the person’s knowledge, information and belief there is good ground to support it; and that it is not filed for delay. If a pleading is not signed, or is signed with an intent to defeat this rule, it may be stricken and the action may proceed as though the pleading had not been filed.
C.

(1) In Cases Not Subject to Electronic Filing. In any case filed in the family division in which the electronic filing pilot program has not been implemented, see http://www.courts.state.nh.us/circuitcourt/efilingcourts.htm, no exhibits shall be attached to pleadings unless necessary to support an affidavit.
(2)In Cases Subject to Electronic Filing. In any case filed in the family division in which the electronic filing pilot program has been implemented, see http://www.courts.state.nh.us/circuitcourt/efilingcourts.htm, no exhibits shall be attached to pleadings unless necessary to support the factual allegation(s) contained within a pleading.
D. If either party changes attorneys during the pendency of the action, the name of the new attorney shall be entered on the docket. Whenever the attorney of a party withdraws an appearance, and no other appearance is entered, the Clerk shall notify the party by mail of such withdrawal. If the party fails to appear by himself or attorney by a date fixed by the court, the Court may take such action as justice may require.

N.H. R. Cir. Ct. Fam. Div. 1.24

Amended, on a temporary basis, April 21, 2015, effective June 1, 2015.