Connecticut Divorce Requirements

by Joseph C. Maya on Jul. 10, 2017

Divorce & Family Law Divorce & Family Law  Divorce 

Summary: A blog post about the requirements in Connecticut to get a divorce.

If you have questions about divorce, legal separation, alimony pendente lite, or alimony in Connecticut, please feel free to call the experienced divorce attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport today at 203-221-3100 or email Joseph C. Maya, Esq. at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.

What are the grounds for divorce in Connecticut?

Connecticut is a mixed state, which means that you may use either fault or no-fault grounds as the basis for seeking a divorce, or you can base your divorce on the fact that you’ve been separated from your spouse for at least 18 months. The reason you might want to use fault grounds is to gain an advantage in a contested child custody case or a dispute about the division of marital property or the appropriateness or amount of alimony.

What is the residency requirement for divorce in Connecticut?

While there is no residency requirement to file for divorce, at least one spouse must be a resident of Connecticut for 12 months before a final judgment can be entered. The exceptions to this rule are:

1) if one party lived in Connecticut at the time of marriage and returned with intention to stay, or

2) if the cause for dissolution arose after either party moved to Connecticut.

How is property divided at divorce in Connecticut?

Connecticut is an equitable division state. In an equitable division state, each spouse owns the income he or she earns during the marriage, and also has the right to manage any property that’s in his or her name alone. But at divorce, whose name is on what property isn’t the only deciding factor. Instead, the judge will divide marital property in a way that the judge considers fair, but won’t necessarily be exactly equal.

What are the rules about child custody in Connecticut?

Like all states, Connecticut courts begin with a presumption that it’s best for a child to have frequent and continuing contact with both parents after a divorce. If possible, judges want to support joint custody arrangements. However, the exact nature of the time-share will be determined by the children’s best interests.

What are the rules about child support in Connecticut?

Like all states, Connecticut requires both parents to support their children, even after a divorce. The amount of child support depends primarily on each parent’s income and other resources, and how much time each parent spends with the children. In addition, sometimes the courts will “impute” income to a parent who has the capacity to earn more than he or she actually is earning.

For a free consultation, please do not hesitate to call the experienced family law and divorce attorneys at Maya Murphy, P.C. in Westport, CT at 203-221-3100. We may also be reached for inquiries by email at JMaya@mayalaw.com.


Source: NOLO

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