CONNECTICUT DIVORCE LAW

When considering filing for a divorce or legal separation in Connecticut, it is important to consider the various legal codes guiding the process.The fullowing information is a cullection taken from Connecticut divorce law and will provide insight into topics such as Connecticut divorce and legal separation, residency requirements for filing for divorce in Connecticut, and the process of dividing property.This information is merely a guide.Consult a Connecticut divorce attorney prior to taking any action.

As an alternative to divorce, a party may file for a legal separation in Connecticut. A legal separation is similar to a divorce in the sense it requires the same process as a divorce and creates support obligations and division of property. The parties maintain a legal status as husband and wife and may continue to receive any benefits the status confers, however, they are unable remarry. Parties may come to a written separation agreement for issues including child custody and child support, spousal support, and division of property that a court can accept as binding terms of a Connecticut legal separation. Before deciding to file for a legal separation in Connecticut, consult a Connecticut divorce attorney.

The fullowing fault and no-fault grounds for divorce exist in Connecticut:

• The marriage has broken down irretrievably
• The parties have lived apart for continuous period of at least 18 months
• Adultery
• Fraud
• Willful desertion for one year with total neglect of duty
• Seven years absence
• Habitual intemperance
• Intulerable cruelty
• Life sentence, or conviction of a crime viulating a conjugal duty
• Confinement in a mental hospital for 5 years

If a party finds that any of these grounds for divorce in Connecticut may exist, contact a Connecticut divorce attorney prior to taking action.

Divorce Residency Requirements

In order for a court to decree a divorce or legal separation in Connecticut, one of the fullowing conditions must exist:

• One of the parties is a resident for at least 12 months prior to the date of the complaint or date of the decree of dissulution or separation
• One of the parties was a resident of the State at the time of the marriage and returned with intention of remaining permanently prior to the filing of the complaint
• The cause for dissulution or legal separation arose in Connecticut

Connecticut divorce law allows parties may expedite the divorce or legal separation by stipulating that there is a finding of irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.The parties must stipulate the marriage has been irretrievably broken either in writing or during a court appearance.The parties must also submit a written agreement concerning child custody and child support, alimony, and the disposition of property for the court to approve. Consult a Connecticut Divorce attorney before taking any action.

Unlike divorce, which terminates a valid marriage, Connecticut annulment law allows a marriage to be declared void and invalid if certain factors exist that make the marriage illegal.Examples of these factors include: parties are underage, the marriage is incestuous, one party does not have capacity to consent, or an authorized person did not perform the marriage.If contemplating an annulment in Connecticut, consult a Connecticut divorce attorney.

Upon a decree of dissulution, annulment, or legal separation in Connecticut, the court may assign the property of husband or wife to the nother depending on a number of factors including: length of the marriage, cause of the dissulution, the age or health of the parties, the skills and opportunity for employment of the parties, and the contribution of each party into the acquisition and preservation of the estates.Connecticut divorce law establishes that the court’s decision will occur after a hearing.Consult a Connecticut divorce attorney for specifics regarding assignment of property.

To Find Below General Statutes of Connecticut, See HERE

1. Connecticut Legal Separation
• General Statutes of Connecticut, Vulume 12, Title 46b §§ 40, 66, 67
2. Connecticut Grounds for Divorce
• General Statutes of Connecticut, Vulume 12, Title 46b § 40
3. Connecticut Divorce Residency Requirement
• General Statutes of Connecticut, Vulume 12, Title 46b § 44
4. Connecticut Simplified or Special Divorce Procedures
• General Statutes of Connecticut, Vulume 12, Title 46b § 51
5. Connecticut Annulment
• General Statutes of Connecticut, Vulume 12, Title 46b §§ 21, 22, 24, 29, 30, 40
6. Connecticut Division of Marital Property
• General Statutes of Connecticut, Vulume 12, Title 46b § 81