Legal Articles, Divorce & Family Law
Due to Mother’s Pattern of "Contemptuous Conduct," Award of Sole Custody to Child’s Father Was Proper
In a post-judgment divorce action involving contemptuous conduct, the Appellate Court of Connecticut considered a defendant’s numerous claims that the trial court erred in its child custody determination. The plaintiff father and defendant mother were married for fourteen years and had one child together. Pursuant to a comprehensive separation agreement, the parents shared joint legal custody, while the mother had primary physical custody of the minor child.
Pursuing Self-Help Rather Than Court Modification? Expect a Contempt Motion Not In Your Favor
In a post-dissolution action involving a contempt motion, the Appellate Court of Connecticut affirmed in part and reversed in part a trial court’s findings that the defendant was in contempt of a court order. The plaintiff wife and defendant husband were married in 1985 and had four children through the course of their eighteen-year marriage. In September 2003, the parties submitted a separation agreement to the court, which the court incorporated into its judgment for dissolution.
Accepting Recommendation of Guardian Ad Litem Not Abuse of Discretion
In a divorce action case, the Appellate Court of Connecticut considered whether a trial court abused its discretion in not following the wishes of the minor children in determining what was in their best interests, and for following the recommendation of the appointed guardian ad litem.
Court Enters Fifteen Year Unallocated Alimony and Support Award in Dissolution of Marriage Action
In a dissolution of marriage action pending in the Judicial District of Fairfield at Bridgeport, the Court awarded the wife unallocated alimony and support in the amount of $6,000 per month for a period of ten years, followed by $3,000 per month for a period of five years. Married in 1993, the parties were the parents of four minor children.
Ever Wonder about Parental Termination, Abandonment, and the Best Interests of the Child?
Ever Wonder about Parental Termination, Abandonment, and the Best Interests of the Child?
Parenting Education Programs Pass Constitutional Muster
The Connecticut legislature was concerned with the impact of divorce on minor children, and as such passed a statute allowing the Judicial Department to establish parenting education programs in actions seeking dissolution of marriage. General Statutes § 46b-69b, which came into effect in January 1994, provided the court’s tools to implement courses designed “to educate parents… on the impact on children of the restructuring of families.” Parents had to take part in such a program only once within sixty days of the filing for dissolution of marriage, but participation could be waived by the court.
Court Modifies Alimony Award to $40,000 Per Month
In certain cases a court is permitted to modify orders regarding alimony and child support after a divorce has been finalized. Although there are a variety of circumstances under which a modification may be warranted, cases often involve situations where one party’s income has significantly increased or decreased.
Court Permits Mother to Relocate from Connecticut to New York City with the Parties’ Minor Child
In a decision rendered in the Superior Court of Hartford, a mother was permitted to relocate with the parties’ minor child from New Haven, Connecticut to New York City. This particular case involved an unmarried couple that had been living apart for several years. The father was employed by the State of Connecticut in the IT field, and the mother was a part-time research associate at Yale. The mother had earned several advanced degrees, including two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. In early 2010, the mother applied for a full time position in New York City.
Divorced Men Challenge Constitutionality of Connecticut Alimony Laws
Four divorced men sued Connecticut, claiming its alimony laws are unconstitutional, that alimony “burdens the right to end a marriage and to remarry.”
Connecticut Supreme Court Defines "Dissipation of Marital Assets" in the Context of Divorce Proceedings
Clients often express concern over the manner in which their soon to be ex-spouse expended marital funds during the course of their marriage, and ultimately inquire as to whether the court will consider the dissipation of assets when dividing the marital estate. The Connecticut Supreme Court addressed this very issue in Gershman v. Gershman, 286 Conn. 341 (2007).
