Family Law

• Divorce
  JENNIFER E. WARBURTON, ESQ. is a Partner Attorney with Shanelaris, Schirch & Warburton, PLLC in Nashua, NH. Jennifer received her J.D. from BYU Law School. Attorney Warburton is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association, and the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association. She started her legal career in securities law and then taught legal research at Singapore Management University Law School in Singapore before moving to New Hampshire in 2013. Attorney Warburton is a trained mediator and trained Collaborative divorce attorney. Her practice includes handling appeals, domestic violence cases, stalking cases, and all other family law matters. For her community involvement, she was elected to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Town of Bow’s Baker Free Library from 2018 to 2023.
• Child Support
  Child support is calculated through the use of a formula known as the child support guidelines. The child support guidelines are used to determine what the proper amount of child support should be in every case where there are minor children. There are a variety of factors to determine which parent will pay child support to another parent, how much support will be paid and for how long. In general, one parent must pay child support to another in any case in which the parents are no longer living together in the same household. The court calculates the amount of support using the child support guidelines according to a percentage of the parties’ combined monthly gross income.
• Child Custody and Visitation
  If you have been injured, falsely imprisoned or threatened by a household member, or by a current or former partner, you may be able to obtain a Domestic Violence Protective Order. The law protects you from abuse, and does not require you to file for divorce or pay court fees in order to obtain protection. A judge can provide emergency protection under this type of order, and can also make orders regarding child custody, use of personal property and use of the family home. If you have been accused of domestic violence, Shanelaris Schirch & Warburton can help you preserve your parental rights, and save your reputation.
• Adoption
• Paternity
• Premarital Agreement
  Prenuptial agreements can have a substantial impact your future and we encourage you to consult with a family law attorney to learn more about whether a prenuptial agreement will be useful for you.
• Guardianship
  There are times when a parent is not able to properly care for a child. In those circumstances sometimes it is necessary to intervene and have the Court appoint another person as Guardian to make all the decisions for the child. The Guardianship process can either be voluntary and agreed upon by all parties, or it can be contested in which case it will be up to the Court to make a determination if a guardianship is necessary.
• Spousal Support
  Alimony is not ordered in every divorce.  Alimony depends on many factors such as one spouse’s need and the other spouse’s ability to pay.
• Legal Separation
  The process of divorce and legal separation requires the equitable division of your assets and debts as well as providing for the care and custody of your children. The process you choose for reaching that end result will depend upon many factors.
• Child Abuse
  In New Hampshire, custody of children under the age of 18 is referred to as “parenting rights and responsibilities.” Parenting issues are governed by NH RSA Chapter 461-A. There are some times when it may be important to limit a parent’s contact with his or her children including domestic violence issues, child abuse and neglect and use of drugs and alcohol that present a danger to children.

Criminal Law

• Misdemeanors
  If someone else’s repeated behavior has made you afraid for your personal safety, the court may issue a Stalking Protective Order to make the behaviors stop. Even if you have been followed or contacted as little as two times, you may be able to seek a stalking order if those behaviors have made you afraid for your safety. The stalking law does not require any particular relationship between parties; therefore, it could be a virtual stranger against whom a stalking order is sought. If someone has filed a stalking petition against you, you may face serious consequences, as stalking can be a misdemeanor or a felony level charge. Call Shanelaris Schirch & Warburton immediately to discuss your options.
• Restraining Order
  If you or a loved one has been subject to violence, or if you have been threatened with a restraining order, Shanelaris Schirch & Warburton can help you. With extensive experience in both the practice of law and in working with domestic violence issues, Shanelaris Schirch & Warburton can help you to navigate the restraining order process and to advise you on the best options for your unique situation. It is crucial to have legal representation in these matters, as domestic violence proceedings may result in criminal charges or additional legal action.