How to File for a Connecticut Divorce
Our Lawyers Can Help You in Filing For Divorce in CT
Making the decision to get a divorce is never easy and the process of actually filing can be even more complicated. From child custody to spousal support, there is a lot to consider. Fortunately, you can breathe easy when you retain a high-caliber firm like ours. As Hamden, CT divorce lawyers, we are known for providing each client with exceptional legal assistance all while working hard to achieve a favorable resolution.
We have handled hundreds of cases and are intimately acquainted with the family law system in Connecticut. We can use this knowledge to drive your divorce toward a satisfactory outcome. The life you’ve always wanted begins at Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC.
Looking to file for divorce in Connecticut? Call our Hamden lawyers today to request your initial consultation.
How long does divorce take in CT?
From the time that divorce papers are served to when the divorce is granted, the entire process can take a minimum of four months. Depending on the issues at stake, things may take much longer. The most common issues that must be resolved in a divorce include:
What are the grounds for divorce in Connecticut?
Connecticut is a no-fault divorce state, which means that simply claiming that the marriage is irretrievably broken can be enough to file. However, if marital misconduct contributed to the end of the marriage, couples do have the option to request a fault-based divorce.
Fault-based grounds for divorce in Connecticut include:
- Adultery
- At least a seven-year absence from the marriage with no communication
- Alcohol or drug addiction
- Fraudulent contract
- Imprisonment
- Intolerable cruelty
- Mental illness that has kept the spouse in an institution for a minimum of five years within the last six years; and/or
- Willful desertion for at least 12 months with a total neglect of duty
No-fault divorce is typically less expensive, requires less time in court, and allows the couple to maintain a civil relationship. When filing for a fault-based divorce in Connecticut, the petitioning spouse must be able to provide specific evidence that the other spouse’s misconduct caused the relationship to fail.
Is there a CT divorce waiting period?
In order to file for divorce, one spouse must have lived in Connecticut
for the past 12 months.
Connecticut courts impose a
mandatory 90-day waiting period from the time of filing to the time you can officially be divorced.
During this period, the parties exchange financial documents such as pay stubs, bank account information, and retirement account statements, and file Pendente Lite motions. If you and your spouse agree on all issues, you may request to have the 90-day waiting period waived.
Is CT a 50/50 Divorce State?
Connecticut is not a simple 50/50 divorce. Instead, the judge uses state law, which allows the judge to split the property in a matter that they deem “fair.” It is significant to note that the term “property” is broad.
What are Pendente Lite motions?
Pendente Lite motions are motions filed before final judgment which petition the court to enter temporary orders during the pendency of the divorce process.
Examples of pendente lite motions include:
- temporary child support and alimony;
- exclusive possession of the marital home; and,
- orders for a temporary parenting plan.
Aggressively pursuing pendente lite orders up front can be crucial in establishing your rights from the outset of the case. Our divorce lawyers in New Haven, CT can help you with this process, from beginning to end.
What are the alternatives to divorce in CT?
In Connecticut, there are a few alternatives to divorce court. Couples may pursue arbitration or mediation if they wish to resolve things outside of court. If you want to pursue one of these alternate methods, then please contact our firm to find out which option is best for you.
We are able to provide mediation/arbitration services in addition to divorce representation. At the end of the day, it comes down to what is best for you and your family; we will help you navigate through whatever process right for you.
Get Help from Our Top-Rated CT Family Law Firm
We are prepared to stand by your side throughout your divorce, no matter how long it may take. As a team committed to your best interests, you can have confidence in the representation we provide. Our attorneys serve both Hamden and New Haven, CT.
Don't go through the divorce process alone. Schedule your consultation to speak with our lawyers from Goldblatt, Marquette & Rashba, PC today!
