How to File for a Connecticut Divorce

Unlike many other states in the United States, no specific ‘grounds’ need to be mentioned for seeking a divorce in Connecticut. The procedure of ‘no-fault’ divorce is followed here. When it is deemed that a marriage agreement has ‘broken down irretrievably,' the courts grant divorce to the couple.

The Connecticut divorce process deals with the just distribution of financial assets and other belongings, as well as the alimony after the divorce has been granted. There are several Judicial Districts in Connecticut where you can file the divorce case. Each of these districts is responsible for keeping the personal records of the residents of the state.

Requirement for Obtaining a Divorce in Connecticut

Before you can appeal for the divorce, you will need to ensure that you have been staying in Connecticut for a period of at least 12 months. However, if you have to relocate from Connecticut due to a job-related issue, or if the marriage develops problems after you have arrived here, exceptions can be made to this residency requirement.

You must also know that there is waiting period of 90 days after you have applied for a CT divorce. This time is calculated from the day when you filed for the divorce (this is known as the ‘Return Date’). In certain cases, the waiting period can be extended to a maximum of four months as well.

There are of course specific fees and costs that you will need to pay while a divorce case is in motion in Connecticut. The Sheriff has to be paid $30-$50, while $300 is the required fee for actually filing for divorce. In addition, you will need to also pay $125 on the grounds of ‘Parenting Education’, and $25 for obtaining a certified copy of the court’s decree.

In cases where the contesting parties decide to get their Case Management Report filed before the actual Case Management Date, there is no need for you or your spouse to even visit the court. Regarding the issues related to finances as well as other discovery, the decision of the court would be binding (if you or your spouse contests the case).

You should also know that in regard to the divorce procedures that are followed here, Connecticut has earned the nickname of being an ‘all property equitable distribution state.'

The Court reserves all rights to re-distribute the property assets of divorced couples in the manner it deems fit. The process in which these properties had been initially acquired is not taken into consideration in this context.

The causes for divorce is looked into closely by the court, and also the duration of the marriage, your and your spouse’s age, your health statuses and other related issues. All these factors play important roles in determining how your and your spouse’s property would be distributed.

You can however expect that if you had a property from before marriage to keep it, because it is generally given to the person who had initially acquired it.

The marital home and its allotment is also an important issue in a divorce case. The Connecticut courts considers the rights of both the husband and the wife in obtaining rights to their house.