Terms Used In New Hampshire Revised Statutes 458:12

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • petition: when used in connection with the equity jurisdiction of the superior court, and referring to a document filed with the court, shall mean complaint, and "petitioner" shall mean plaintiff. See New Hampshire Revised Statutes 21:51
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
If the petitionee is insane and has no legal guardian other than the spouse, the court may appoint a guardian to appear for and answer for the petitionee. Although the insanity of the petitionee may be considered by the court in determining whether a divorce should be granted, such insanity shall not constitute a defense to a petition for divorce. Where a decree of divorce has been entered and where it has been proven by competent medical testimony at the divorce hearing that the petitionee was incurably insane at the time the petition for divorce was filed, the decree shall in no way relieve a spouse from any obligation imposed by law as a result of marriage to support the incurably insane spouse.