Section 161-C:1 Purpose. - New Hampshire Statutes

Common law and statutory procedures governing the enforcement of support for dependent children by responsible parents have not proven sufficiently effective or efficient to cope with the increasing incidence of financial dependency. It is hereby declared that the common law and statutory remedies pertaining to desertion and nonsupport of dependent children shall be augmented by additional remedies directed to the real and personal property of the responsible parents. In order to render resources more immediately available to meet the needs of dependent children, it is the purpose of this chapter to provide additional remedies for the support of dependent children, which remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, existing law. It is declared to be the public policy of this state that this chapter be construed and administered to the end that children shall be maintained from the resources of responsible parents, thereby relieving, at least in part, the burden presently borne by the general citizenry through welfare programs. It is further declared to be the policy of this state that this chapter be construed and administered to the end that children shall be maintained from the resources of responsible parents, regardless of whether or not these children are recipients of public assistance.

Source. 1977, 589:1. 1985, 331:6, eff. Oct. 1, 1985.