Family Attorney in Manchester

Clear Guidance For Difficult Family Transitions

Divorce, parenting disputes, and support issues can change almost every part of your daily life. When your children, home, and finances feel uncertain, you need clear information and steady advice, not legal jargon. As a family attorney in Manchester, we work to bring structure and direction to a situation that can feel overwhelming.

At Fricano&Weber P.L.L.C., our firm in Nashua represents people whose family law cases are heard in and around Manchester. With more than 25 years of trial representation, our attorneys are familiar with New Hampshire family courts and the way judges typically approach parenting and financial questions. We focus on listening carefully, explaining your options, and helping you make decisions that fit your goals and your family.

We also understand that this is not just a legal problem. It affects your emotional well-being and your children’s stability. Our team strives to communicate honestly, return your calls, and be available when questions or emergencies come up, so you are not facing the process alone.

Looking for a trusted family attorney? Book your consultation online or call us at (603) 823-3314 to talk about your situation and next steps.

Why Choose Our Family Lawyers

Choosing a lawyer for a divorce or custody matter is about trust. You want someone who understands New Hampshire law, but who also understands how much is at stake for you and your children. Our attorneys combine years in the courtroom with a client-focused approach that keeps your concerns at the center of every decision.

Our 25 years of trial representation mean that we do not wait until the last minute to think about how your case will look in front of a judge. Whether your matter ends in an agreement or goes to a contested hearing, we prepare for adversarial situations from the start. This preparation includes gathering information, organizing your story, and helping you understand what the court will be paying attention to.

Members of our team have served as prosecutors and in law enforcement roles. That background gives us insight into how allegations of abuse, criminal charges, or a DWI might be viewed when they arise alongside a family case. When a parenting dispute overlaps with a criminal investigation or a protective order, we understand how those pieces connect and how to address them within the family court process.

Clients also choose us because of how we communicate. We provide direct access to our attorneys, including personal cell phone numbers, so you can reach us when urgent questions come up about your children, schedules, or orders from the court. We strive to be straightforward about what is realistic, what may take time, and what we are doing on your case, so you are not left guessing.

Although our office is based in Nashua, we regularly work with people whose cases proceed in the Manchester area. Our familiarity with courts across southern New Hampshire helps us guide you through filing, hearings, and mediation with a practical understanding of how things typically move locally.

Family Law Issues We Handle

No two families are the same, and no two cases look exactly alike. We handle a wide range of family law matters, from relatively straightforward agreements to high-conflict disputes. Our goal is to help you protect what matters most, whether that is parenting time, financial security, or your safety.

We work with clients facing divorce and legal separation, including division of property, debts, and questions about alimony. If you have children, we help you develop or respond to proposed parenting plans that address where your children will live, how time is shared, and how major decisions will be made. When child support or spousal support is at issue, we explain how New Hampshire guidelines and individual circumstances usually affect support calculations.

Some situations are more complicated. Allegations of abuse, substance use, or criminal conduct can quickly change the tone of a case. Because our firm handles criminal defense and DWI matters in addition to family litigation, we are familiar with how a criminal case, arrest, or restraining order may be raised in a custody dispute. We work to consider both the family court file and related criminal records when advising you on strategy.

Not every case is high conflict. Many families want to reduce fighting and reach agreements that keep them out of extended litigation. We respect that goal and work to resolve matters through negotiation and, when appropriate, mediation. Even when you and the other parent are cooperative, we focus on making sure the written terms are clear and that you understand what they mean in everyday life.

Examples of family law matters we handle include:

• Divorce and legal separation involve property division and support
• Parenting plans that address custody, visitation, and decision-making
• Child support and questions about modification of existing orders
• Alimony and how changes in income may affect requests for support
• Cases involving restraining orders or domestic violence allegations
• Matters where a DWI or other criminal charge impacts parenting time

How New Hampshire Family Cases Work

Understanding the process can ease some of the anxiety you may feel about going to court. In New Hampshire, family law matters are generally handled within the Circuit Court Family Division. Where your case is filed often depends on where you and your children live, and Manchester area families typically appear in courts serving that region.

Most cases begin when one party files a petition for divorce, parenting, or another type of relief. The other party is then served and has an opportunity to respond. Courts commonly schedule initial hearings or conferences to identify the main issues and to set deadlines. Temporary orders may be requested when immediate decisions about parenting or support are needed while the case is pending.

Throughout the case, you may be asked to complete financial affidavits, parenting plans, and other forms that provide the court with information about your situation. New Hampshire courts often encourage or require mediation, particularly when parenting time is in dispute. In mediation, you and the other party work with a neutral person to see if you can reach agreements before a judge is asked to decide.

If you cannot agree on all issues, the court may hold one or more evidentiary hearings. At those hearings, each side presents testimony and documents, and the judge makes decisions based on New Hampshire law and the evidence provided. Our family law attorney in Manchester uses our trial experience to prepare you for these appearances, from what questions you may be asked to how to present your concerns clearly.

Key stages of many family cases include:

• Filing of the initial petition and service on the other party
• Temporary orders that address short-term parenting or support
• Exchange of financial information and completion of required forms
• Mediation or settlement discussions to try to resolve disputes
• Final hearings where a judge makes decisions if you cannot agree

We walk you through each stage and explain what to expect, so you do not feel caught off guard by paperwork or court dates. Our preparation focuses on practical details, such as gathering school records, schedules, and financial documents, and on helping you present your story in a way that is organized and respectful.

What To Do About Your Family Dispute

When conflict at home rises to the point where you are thinking about court, it can be hard to know what to do first. Whether you have just been served with papers or are considering filing them yourself, taking a few careful steps early can help protect your position and give you a clearer picture of your options.

If you receive documents from the court, read them closely so you understand what has been requested and any deadlines listed. Courts typically give you a set period to respond, and missing that window can affect your rights. It is usually helpful to contact a lawyer as soon as you can, so there is time to review the papers and plan an appropriate response.

It can also help to gather information. This may include financial records, schedules for your children, messages that show past agreements, and any existing court orders. If there are safety concerns, such as threats or recent incidents of violence, it is important to put your immediate safety and your children’s safety first. We can discuss in a consultation when it may be appropriate to request court protection and what options may be available through the court system.

Meeting with us early in the process gives us more time to understand your goals and concerns. In an initial consultation, we typically start by listening to your story in detail. We then talk through the types of outcomes that are possible, how the court may view certain facts, and what steps might come next. Our goal is to give you a clearer sense of the road ahead, even if many details are still uncertain.

Helpful steps if you are facing a family law issue:

• Review any court papers you receive and note all deadlines
• Collect financial documents and information about your children’s routines
• Avoid making big agreements in writing without understanding the legal impact
• Reach out to a family law lawyer in Manchester to discuss your situation
• Write down your main questions so we can address them during our first conversation

Taking these steps does not commit you to a particular path. It simply gives you and your lawyer more information to work with, so you can decide together how to move forward in a way that reflects your priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is Child Custody Decided In New Hampshire?

Court decisions about parenting are generally based on the child’s best interests. Judges look at factors such as each parent’s involvement, communication, and any safety concerns. We explain how these factors may relate to your situation and work with you to develop a parenting plan that reflects your child’s needs.

What Should I Bring To My First Meeting With You?

It helps to bring any court papers you have received, prior orders, and basic financial information. A short written timeline of important events can also be useful. We use these materials to understand the history of your case and to give you more specific guidance during the consultation.

How Will I Stay Updated On My Case?

We focus on direct, honest communication. Our attorneys provide personal cell phone numbers so you can reach us with urgent questions, and we work to return calls and emails promptly. We also explain upcoming deadlines and hearings, so you know what is happening and why.

Can You Handle My Case If It Involves Criminal Charges?

Our firm handles both family litigation and criminal defense, including DWI matters. When a family case intersects with criminal allegations or protective orders, we look at both sides together. This helps us consider how each case may affect the other and advise you accordingly.

How Long Will My Family Case Take?

The length of a family case depends on the issues involved, how quickly information is exchanged, and the court’s schedule in the Manchester area. Some matters resolve in a few months, while others take longer. We discuss likely timelines with you and keep you updated as your case moves forward.

Talk With Our Family Law Team

You do not have to sort through a divorce or parenting dispute on your own. Working with a family lawyer in Manchester who understands New Hampshire courts, prepares carefully for hearings, and takes the time to listen can make the process feel more manageable. Our attorneys help you focus on practical steps that protect your children and your financial future.

At Fricano&Weber P.L.L.C., we bring 25 years of trial representation, former prosecution and law enforcement experience, and a commitment to responsive communication to every family case. We strive to be honest about what the law allows, what preparation is needed, and what paths may help you move forward. When you are ready to talk, we are here to listen and to explain how we may be able to assist.

Take the next step with a dedicated family attorney—schedule your consultation online or call us at (603) 823-3314 to get personalized guidance for your case.