How to calculate Offer Of Judgment Analyzer in New Hampshire

Quick takeaways

Run this scenario in DocketMath using the Offer Of Judgment Analyzer calculator.

• New Hampshire’s Offer of Judgment interest rule (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 507:16-b) allows the offeror to recover interest on the judgment at (average prime rate + 1%).
• The interest runs from the date the offer was made until the judgment is paid.
• DocketMath’s Offer Of Judgment Analyzer calculates the interest by taking your inputs (offer date, judgment amount, payment/through date, and an average prime rate assumption) and applying the statute’s rate and date window.
• The biggest drivers of the output are (1) the time period between the offer date and the payment/through date, and (2) which average prime rate you enter.
• Based on the statute language provided, there is no claim-type-specific sub-rule identified. Treat the rule as the general/default period: offer date → date judgment is paid.

Inputs you need

To run the Offer Of Judgment Analyzer (US-NH) in DocketMath, gather the following items. Depending on your case, you may already have some of them from filings.

Use this intake checklist as your baseline for Offer Of Judgment Analyzer work in New Hampshire.

• jurisdiction selection
• key dates and triggering events
• amounts or rates
• any caps or overrides

If any of these inputs are uncertain, document the assumption before you run the tool.

Core inputs (typical)

• Offer date
• Judgment amount (the principal base you want interest calculated on)
• Payment date (best for final totals) or through date (for estimates)

Prime-rate input (required for the interest math)

Section § 507:16-b sets the rate as:

• Average prime rate + 1%

In DocketMath, you’ll need the average prime rate number used for the relevant calculation approach.

• Average prime rate (enter as a percentage, e.g., 5.25%)

Reminder: The statute says average prime rate (not “prime rate” or a one-day spot rate). Use a consistent “average prime rate” basis across your analysis workflow.

Optional workflow controls (for accuracy)

Depending on how DocketMath is configured for the calculator, you may also use settings such as:

• Rounding preference (for how totals are rounded)
• Day-count convention / compounding assumption (many simple interest calculators use simple pro-ration unless the tool specifies otherwise)

If DocketMath documents its method (e.g., 365-day year vs. 360-day year), match that method within your workflow.

How the calculation works

DocketMath’s Offer Of Judgment Analyzer is built to reflect the statutory interest rule in N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 507:16-b.

DocketMath applies the New Hampshire rule set to the inputs, then runs the calculation in ordered steps. It validates the trigger date, applies rate or cap logic, and produces a breakdown you can audit. If you change any one variable, the tool recalculates the downstream outputs immediately.

Step 1: Determine the statutory interest period

The statute language you provided states interest is calculated:

• From the date of the offer
• Until the judgment is paid

So your calculation window is:

• Start date: Offer date
• End date: Payment date (or “through date” if estimating)

General/default rule: No claim-type-specific limitation appears in the statute language supplied. Use the offer date → paid period as the default.

Step 2: Compute the statutory annual interest rate

The statute provides:

• Annual rate = (average prime rate) + 1%

Example (illustrative only):

• Average prime rate: 5.00%
• Statutory rate becomes: 6.00%

DocketMath will apply your provided average prime rate, then add +1% per the statute.

Step 3: Pro-rate interest based on the number of days

Because the interest accrues over a date range, DocketMath pro-rates the annual rate by the time between the two dates.

A typical simple-interest approach looks like:

• Days in period = End date − Start date
• **Interest ≈ Judgment amount × (Annual rate) × (Days / Year-day-basis)

The year-day-basis (often 365, but sometimes 360) depends on the tool’s configured convention. DocketMath’s analyzer should use its internal method.

Step 4: Produce the interest total

Once DocketMath has:

• the judgment amount (principal base),
• the annual statutory rate (= average prime rate + 1%),
• and the days in the interest period,

it outputs the interest total for your chosen window.

How inputs change the result (at a glance)

• Offer date later → fewer days → lower interest
• Payment/through date later → more days → higher interest
• Judgment amount higher → interest scales up → higher interest
• Average prime rate higher → rate increases (plus the +1%) → higher interest

Example walkthrough (estimate)

Assume you enter:

• Offer date: Jan 1, 2026
• Through date (estimated payment): Apr 15, 2026
• Judgment amount: $50,000
• Average prime rate: 5.25%

1. Statutory annual rate:

• 5.25% + 1% = 6.25%

1. Days in period:

• Jan 1 → Apr 15 is about 105 days (tool will calculate exact day difference)

1. Interest estimate (illustrative simple pro-ration):

• Interest ≈ $50,000 × 6.25% × (105/365)
• ≈ $50,000 × 0.0625 × 0.2877
• ≈ $899 (before any tool-specific rounding)

DocketMath applies the same structure using its date math and rounding conventions.

Common pitfalls

Most calculation errors come from incorrect date logic, incorrect rate inputs, or mismatched assumptions. Watch for:

1. Using the wrong start date

   • The statute measures interest from the date of the offer.
   • Don’t substitute filing date, service date, or another related date.

2. Using the wrong end date

   • The statute runs until the judgment is paid.
   • If you estimate, use a through date, and be consistent—re-run if payment timing changes.

3. Mixing up “prime rate” vs. “average prime rate”

   • The statute uses average prime rate.
   • If your data provides spot prime rate instead, you’re likely applying the wrong number.

4. Forgetting the “+ 1%” add-on

   • The statutory rate is average prime rate + 1%.
   • Omitting the +1% is one of the most common computational mistakes.

5. Assuming claim-type-specific rules exist without support

   • The statute language provided does not show claim-type sub-rules.
   • Use the general/default period: offer date → paid.

6. Applying interest to the wrong amount

   • Ensure the judgment amount you enter matches what you intend to earn interest on (e.g., total judgment vs. a component).

7. Inconsistent day-count conventions

   • Some calculators use 360 vs. 365.
   • If DocketMath specifies a convention, keep it consistent rather than mixing with another method.

Sources and references

• N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 507:16-b (Interest on judgment after an offer of judgment when settlement is not reached before trial):
  “In any civil action where settlement is not reached before any trial, the party who makes an offer of judgment may recover interest on the judgment obtained, at a rate equal to the average prime rate plus 1%, from the date of the offer until the judgment is paid.”
  Source: https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB249/id/2571640

Next steps

1. Open the DocketMath calculator

   • Use: /tools/offer-of-judgment-analyzer
2. Enter your dates and amount

   • Confirm the offer date is truly the date the offer was made.
   • Use payment date for final numbers or a through date for an estimate.
3. Set your average prime rate assumption

   • Enter the average prime rate you are using for the interest calculation.
4. Review the interest total

   • If you’re estimating, rerun using different through dates to see how timing changes the result.
5. Document assumptions

   • Save the rate value and the date window so others can reproduce the calculation.

Related reading

• Offer of Judgment Analyzer Guide for Alabama
• Offer of Judgment Analyzer Guide for Arizona
• Offer of Judgment Analyzer Guide for Colorado