How Much Does Guardianship Cost in New Hampshire?

The base entry fee for adult guardianship in New Hampshire is $260. The electronic filing system also imposes a mandatory $30 electronic case-filing surcharge, and card payments add a 3% transaction fee. The final amount depends on the payment method and applicable surcharges, but that number doesn't tell the full story.

The Real Cost Breakdown

Court filing fee: $260 base entry fee. If you can't afford it, Form NHJB-2029-DFP lets you request a fee waiver based on your financial situation.

Electronic filing and card surcharges: The electronic filing system imposes a mandatory $30 case-filing surcharge. Credit or debit card payments add a 3% transaction fee.

Personal service: The proposed ward must receive the petition in-hand at least fourteen days before the hearing. Sheriff service or a private process server typically costs $30–$75, depending on the county and whether multiple attempts are needed.

Clinical evaluation: A physician's, psychologist's, or APRN's evaluation documenting the proposed ward's functional limitations. Insurance may cover this if framed as a clinical assessment. Out-of-pocket costs vary widely — $200–$800 for a standard capacity evaluation, potentially more for a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

Attorney fees: This is where costs jump. New Hampshire guardianship attorneys typically charge $2,500–$5,000+ for an uncontested case. Contested cases — where the proposed ward, their appointed attorney, or a family member opposes the petition — run significantly higher, especially if the hearing extends to multiple days.

Guardian bond: If the court grants guardianship of the estate, the guardian may be required to post a surety bond. The bond amount depends on the value of the ward's assets.

Self-Filing vs. Attorney: The Tradeoff

The total self-filing cost for an uncontested guardianship — filing fee, service, and a clinical evaluation — typically falls between $400 and $1,100. Hiring an attorney pushes the total to $3,000–$6,000+.

The tradeoff isn't just financial. New Hampshire's beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard is the highest burden of proof in American law. Self-represented petitioners commonly make errors that delay or defeat their cases:

• Submitting a medical affidavit as evidence of incapacity (the court can only use it to excuse the proposed ward from attending the hearing, not to prove incapacity)
• Filing with stale behavioral evidence outside the six-month and twenty-day windows
• Failing to document why less-restrictive alternatives won't work

An attorney familiar with New Hampshire probate practice knows how to structure the Statement of Facts, prepare witnesses, and present evidence that meets the statutory standard. For straightforward, uncontested cases with clear evidence of functional limitations, self-filing is viable. For anything complicated — family disagreements, significant assets, or borderline capacity — legal representation is worth the cost.

Comparing Costs Across Options

Guardianship is the most expensive legal authority option available in New Hampshire:

Every alternative is cheaper because none of them require court involvement. If your child has the capacity to execute voluntary legal documents, the cost savings alone make alternatives worth exploring — which is also what the law requires.

Ongoing Costs After Appointment

Guardianship doesn't end at the hearing. Annual reporting takes time, and if you miss the deadline for Form NHJB-2166-P or the financial accounting (NHJB-2160-P), the court can issue a show-cause order. Some families hire an attorney annually to prepare the accounting, adding $500–$1,500 per year.

For a detailed budgeting worksheet and cost comparison across all NH legal authority options — plus the complete filing timeline from evidence gathering through appointment — see the New Hampshire Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide.

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