Getting Divorced in Connecticut: A Legal Guide

Before filing for divorce in Connecticut, ensure you meet the residency requirements. Either you or your spouse must have been a resident of Connecticut for at least 12 months before the final divorce decree, or one of you must have been a resident when the marriage broke down and before filing. Connecticut allows both 'no-fault' divorces (irretrievable breakdown of marriage) and fault-based divorces.

Collect all relevant financial and personal documents including: marriage certificate, tax returns (last 3 years), pay stubs, bank statements, retirement account statements, property deeds, vehicle titles, insurance policies, mortgage documents, credit card statements, loan documents, and documentation of separate property acquired before marriage or through inheritance/gifts.

This is the formal document that initiates the divorce process in Connecticut. You'll need to include basic information about your marriage, grounds for divorce, and what you're requesting regarding property division, support, and child custody if applicable. The form is available from the Connecticut Judicial Branch website or at your local Superior Court clerk's office.

The Summons is a legal document that notifies your spouse that you've initiated divorce proceedings. It informs them that they must respond within a certain timeframe (usually 30 days in Connecticut) or risk a default judgment. The Summons must be properly served to your spouse according to Connecticut law.

File the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Summons, and other required initial forms with the Superior Court in the judicial district where either you or your spouse lives. You'll need to pay a filing fee (approximately $360), though fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on financial need.

In Connecticut, divorce papers must be served by a state marshal. You cannot personally serve the papers. The marshal will provide proof of service that must be filed with the court. Your spouse has 30 days to file a response after being served.

Both spouses must complete and exchange comprehensive financial affidavits within 30 days of the return date on the Summons. This sworn statement details all assets, debts, income, and expenses. Connecticut courts take these disclosures very seriously, and failing to disclose assets can result in penalties and reopening of the divorce case later.

If you've been served divorce papers, you must file a Response to Petition for Dissolution within 30 days of being served. This document allows you to agree or disagree with statements in the petition and make your own requests regarding property, support, and custody.

Connecticut courts typically schedule an initial case management conference to establish timelines, address temporary orders, and determine if mediation is appropriate. Both parties and their attorneys (if represented) must attend.

If you have minor children, Connecticut law requires both parents to complete a court-approved parenting education program within 60 days after the return date on the Summons. The program costs approximately $125, though fee waivers may be available.

If you have children, create a detailed parenting plan addressing legal and physical custody, visitation schedules, holiday arrangements, decision-making authority, and communication between parents. Connecticut courts strongly encourage parents to develop these plans cooperatively, but will impose a plan if parents cannot agree.

Connecticut uses specific guidelines to calculate child support based on both parents' incomes, the number of children, and other factors. The Child Support Worksheet must be completed to determine the appropriate amount. The Connecticut Judicial Branch website offers an online calculator to help with these calculations.

Work with your spouse (and attorneys if applicable) to develop a comprehensive settlement agreement covering property division, debt allocation, alimony, child support, and parenting arrangements. Connecticut is an 'equitable distribution' state, meaning property is divided fairly but not necessarily equally. Factors include length of marriage, causes of breakdown, age, health, occupation, sources of income, and contributions to the marriage.

If you're dividing retirement accounts like 401(k)s or pensions, you'll need a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). This specialized court order instructs retirement plan administrators how to divide these assets. Each retirement plan may require specific language, so consider consulting with a QDRO specialist or attorney familiar with these documents.

If you and your spouse cannot reach agreement on all issues, Connecticut courts typically order mediation before proceeding to trial. This is especially common for custody and parenting disputes. The mediator helps facilitate discussion but doesn't make decisions for you.

Once all issues are resolved (either through agreement or court decisions), a final hearing will be scheduled. Both parties typically must attend. Bring copies of all agreements and financial documents. The judge will review everything to ensure it's fair and complies with Connecticut law.

After the judge approves your divorce terms, they will sign the Final Decree of Divorce. This document officially ends your marriage and contains all the court's orders regarding property division, support, and custody. In Connecticut, there's typically a 90-day waiting period from the filing date before a divorce can be finalized, though this may be waived in certain circumstances.

If child support or alimony is ordered, Connecticut typically requires a wage withholding order to ensure payments are made. This document instructs the paying spouse's employer to withhold the support amount from their paycheck and send it directly to the receiving spouse or the state disbursement unit.

After divorce, review and update your will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations on life insurance policies and retirement accounts. Connecticut law may automatically revoke certain provisions that benefit your ex-spouse, but it's best to explicitly update these documents.

If you want to resume using your maiden name or previous name, you can request this as part of the divorce decree. If you didn't include it in the divorce, you can file a separate name change petition with the court. After obtaining court approval, update your name with Social Security, DMV, financial institutions, and other relevant entities.