Understanding your state's specific laws and procedures can help ensure a smoother transition if you're navigating a divorce in Connecticut. This guide provides an overview of the key aspects of divorce in Connecticut.
Want to begin your divorce? Make sure you meet all the following prerequisites first.
To file for divorce in Connecticut, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for a minimum of 12 months before filing or before the court issues the final divorce decree. Or, if the marriage took place in Connecticut and one spouse is still a resident, the residency requirement may be waived.
Connecticut has a 90-day waiting period from the filing date before a divorce can be finalized. However, this period can be waived under certain conditions, such as an uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all terms.
Connecticut allows for both no-fault and fault-based divorces. The most common ground for divorce is "irretrievable breakdown," which does not require proving wrongdoing. Fault-based grounds include:
You can expect the following steps during the Connecticut divorce process:
The filing fee for a divorce in Connecticut is approximately $360. Additional costs may apply for service of process, motions, and parenting classes if children are involved. Fee waivers are available for those who cannot afford the fees, by filling out additional paperwork.
Other costs could affect your divorce in Connecticut. Read more here.
Connecticut follows an equitable distribution model for property division, meaning that marital assets and debts are divided fairly but not always 50/50. The court considers factors such as:
Marital property includes assets and debts acquired during the marriage, regardless of whose name is on the title. Separate property includes:
Marital debts, such as mortgages, car loans, and credit card balances, are divided equitably. Courts consider who incurred the debt, its purpose, and each spouse’s ability to pay.
Spousal support may be awarded based on factors such as:
Connecticut recognizes different types of alimony, including temporary, rehabilitative, and permanent alimony. More details can be found here: Connecticut Alimony Laws.
Connecticut courts prioritize the best interests of the child when determining custody arrangements. Child support calculations are based on state guidelines and consider:
Use Connecticut’s online calculator to estimate child support: CT Child Support Guidelines.
In Connecticut, legal separation and annulment are two alternatives to divorce, each with distinct legal effects.
This allows couples to live separately while remaining legally married. It addresses issues like property division, child custody, and alimony, similar to a divorce, but without officially ending the marriage. Some couples choose this option for religious, financial, or personal reasons.
Unlike divorce, which ends a valid marriage, an annulment declares that the marriage was never legally valid. In Connecticut, annulments are granted only in specific circumstances, such as fraud, bigamy, incapacity, or force. Because annulments require proof of legal grounds, they are less common than divorce.
Connecticut allows e-filing for some divorce documents. Check with your local court for availability: CT E-Filing.
If you need help with your divorce, check out our online plans and flat-rate services. We are here to help you every step of the way.