Filing for Divorce in Connecticut

Divorce FAQ – How to file for divorce in CT

“How do I File for Divorce?” is a common question we get asked during our initial consultations for divorce clients. This is a very important question. In a divorce, just like any litigation, the most important steps are the first steps. Errors made when beginning a divorce proceeding could prove devastating at later stages, especially if the other party times it right. Individuals who attempt to represent themselves sometimes fall into this trap.

In Connecticut, there are two basic types of divorce: no-fault and fault divorce. While the basic documents are the same for both types of divorce, the contents will be different depending on which type you are filing for.

To begin a court proceeding to terminate a marriage, the spouse seeking the divorce (the “plaintiff”) has to file a “Complaint” in the Superior Court for the Judicial District where one of the spouses lives. In the Complaint, the Plaintiff has to state the reason for the divorce and information about any children from the marriage. The Plaintiff can also ask the Court to grant custody of children, award child support or alimony, divide marital property and debts, and restore a prior name.

Before the Complaint can be filed with the Court, it must be “served” against the other spouse (the “defendant”). The purpose of this is t give the Defendant spouse notice of the divorce proceeding. In Connecticut, service is typically made by a State Marshal. Along with the Complaint must be a “Summons” which tells the defendant about the divorce processing and when to come to court, the “Notice of Automatic Court Orders” which tells the defendant what they can and cannot do in regards to the Plaintiff, and an “Affidavit of Service” which the Marshal signs when service is made.

Any flaws in the service process or the documentation involved may lead to a successful “Motion to Dismiss” by the Defendant. They can wait until you’ve made your entire case and played all your cards, then end the proceeding on a technicality. Then the entire process must be started all over, the right way.

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Divorce Frequently Asked Questions #1

How Much Will A Divorce Cost?

Perhaps the most common question we get from our new divorce clients is: How much will my divorce cost?

What divorce clients need to understand is that every divorce is as unique as every marriage. As some marriages are more complicated than others, some divorces are more complicated than others.

The more complicated and intertwined the marriage and family circumstances, the longer it will be necessary to form a picture of the family lifestyle, and the longer the attorneys will have to spend in negotiating sessions. The more hours we as attorneys have to put into your case to give you diligent representation, the greater your attorneys fees will be, and the more the divorce will cost.

Some factors that may complicate the divorce process and drive up cost are:

• does the couple own real estate?
• does the couple jointly own a business?
• does the couple have children? are the children still in the house?
• does the couple own a lot of personal property that is important to both people?
• does one person make all of the families income?

There are many more factors that can complicate a divorce, but those are the most common and will give you a good idea of how complicated your divorce will be if you have to split up the assets listed above.

The only way for us to give you a better idea of how much your divorce will cost is by having a consultation where we can look at your specific situation. Even then it will only be an estimate, and the estimate will only be as good as you thoroughness and honesty.

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How Do Courts Determine Length and Amount of Alimony?

Factors That Affect Alimony Payments

At Glouzgal Law PLLC we represent both husbands and wives in divorce proceedings, both as the party filing for divorce or defending against it. In most cases, the issues of alimony arises early on:

• Who will pay alimony to who?
• What will be the amount of the alimony payment?
• How long will alimony payments last?

In deciding whether alimony should be awarded, and if so for how much and how long, the Court will consider a list of factors as provided by Connecticut General Statute Sec. 46b-82. The section provides that either party may be liable for alimony to the other. In coming to a decision, the Court will take evidence and hear testimony on:

• the length of the marriage
• the cause of the separation or divorce
• the ages of the divorcing parties
• the station and occupations of the divorcing parties
• the amounts and sources of income for the divorcing parties
• the vocational skills and employability of the divorcing parties
• the estate (total assets) of each divorcing party, and
• any other awards of property in connection with the divorce.

The Court is looking at the financial situation of each divorcing party, how much one party may have relied on the other for financial support, and whether the situations of either divorcing party are likely to change in the future. What the Court is doing is establishing a need, or lack of need, for the financial support of one of the parties, trying to evaluate the ability of the other party to provide that financial support, and finally deciding the extent of that financial support and when and if it should stop.

The Courts perception of the circumstances will depend heavily on which documents or testimony are presented to the Court and whether they are presented in the proper manner. While each factor is relevant, some are more relevant than others in specific situations, and those need to be highlighted to Court. An experienced Connecticut divorce attorney can be instrumental in the fair and adequate award of alimony.

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The Shortcut to Divorce in Connecticut

Public Act 15-7 Creates Nonadversarial Divorce Process

Coming into effect this past October 1st, Public Act No. 15-7, An Act Concerning a Nonadversarial Dissolution of Marriage, creates a shortcut to divorce in nonadversarial divorces that meet certain criteria. While the goal was to offer the public a faster and far less intense divorce process, the qualification requirements are rather restrictive.

Qualification Requirements for Nonadversarial Dissolution of Marriage

ALL of the following conditions must be satisfied, and both parties must swear to them under oath in order to qualify for nonadversarial divorce:

1. The marriage has broken down irretrievably;
2. The parties were married fewer than 8 years;
3. Neither party to the action is pregnant;
4. No children were born to or adopted by the parties before or during marriage;
5. Neither party owns real estate property, in whole or jointly with others;
6. The total value of all property owned by both parties does not exceed $35,000 (excluding encumbrances);
7. Neither party has a benefit pension plan;
8. Neither party has a pending petition for relief in Bankruptcy court;
9. Neither party is applying for or receiving Title 19 Social Security benefits;
10. No other action relating to the marriage is pending anywhere else;
11. There are no restraining orders or protective orders in effect between the parties; and
12. residency requirements are satisfied.

If all of the above are true, an action for nonadversarial dissolution of marriage can be started by filing a duely signed and notarized joint petition in a judicial district in which one of the parties to the nonadversarial divorce lives. The joint petition must include the following:

1. Date and place of marriage;
2. Current residential address of each party;
3. Financial Affidavits;
4. Notarized certification signed by both parties that they agree to proceed by consent and wive service of process, neither is acting under duress or coercion, and each is waiving the right to trial, alimony, spousal support, or appeal.

If the parties wish to submit a settlement agreement or request to restore birth name or former name, these must also be included with the joint petition at filing.

Timeframe of Nonadversarial Divorce

Thirty or more days after the joint petition is filed the court will schedule a disposition date. During this thirty day period, either party can file a notice of revocation, turning the nonadversarial divorce into a standard one.

Assuming no issues arise and both parties agree on everything, the Court may enter a decree of dissolution of marriage (judgment of divorce) as early as the disposition date or within 5 days of that date. The parties are then notified by mail of the divorce and given the status of unmarried person. No court hearing is required.

Issues That Can Arise

The new law points out two specific reasons for why the Court can choose not to enter the decree of dissolution. If the court spots an issue, it will schedule a hearing within the next thirty days so that the parties can be heard. If the court is still not satisfied that the nonadversarial divorce process is proper under the circumstances, it will turn the nonadversarial divorce into a standard family docket divorce.

• The Settlement Agreement proposed by the parties is not Fair and Equitable; and
• Failure to comply with the 12 criteria for qualifying.

However, from reviewing the statute, there are some other reasons that could likely cause a joint petition for nonadversarial divorce to fail.

• Jurisdictional issues with the Court where the joint petition was filed;
• Failure to notarize the joint petition, certifications and affidavits;
• Failure to notify the Court of a change concerning criteria for qualifying in a timely manner;
• Failure to provide financial affidavits or use the proper form;
• Failure to provide required certifications; or
• There is evidence of duress or coercion.

Why You Need To Be Very Careful With Nonadversarial Dissolution of Marriage

When the Court enters a decree for the dissolution of marriage in a nonadversarial divorce, that decree is the “final adjudication of the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to the status of the marriage and the property rights of the parties.” You waive any right to a trial, alimony, spousal support or any appeals. 

The final judgment may only be set aside for fraud, duress, accident, mistake or other grounds recognized at law or in equity.

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