HB1036 Relative to the maximum duration of term alimony.
Relative to the maximum duration of term alimony.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Harmful
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Some paying spouses will see reduced lifetime alimony costs, but lower-income recipients losing alimony support after 8 years may face financial hardship or increased public assistance needs.
Your Community
Potential increase in means-tested public benefits (welfare, housing assistance) if alimony recipients lack other resources after payments end, creating indirect community costs.
Your Freedom
Limits judicial discretion by imposing a hard cap (though courts retain discretion if 'justice requires'), and reduces long-term financial security for some ex-spouses dependent on alimony.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 03/05/2026 House Journal 6 P. 2
Sponsor
Michael Vose (R)
The Short Version
This bill caps term alimony duration at 8 years or 50% of marriage length (whichever is lower) unless parties agree otherwise or the court finds justice requires adjustment. The change will reduce or eliminate alimony obligations for some ex-spouses in longer marriages, effective January 1, 2027.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Spouses required to pay alimony in marriages longer than 16 years (or proportionally longer marriages)
- ▲ Ex-spouses in very long marriages whose alimony obligations terminate after 8 years instead of continuing indefinitely
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Ex-spouses (typically lower-earning) in longer marriages who depend on alimony beyond 8 years and have limited work capacity or income
- ▼ Potentially local/state budgets if alimony recipients shift to public assistance programs
Bill statuses as of October 7, 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.