Connecticut Divorce Guides
Your comprehensive resource for Connecticut divorce information. Start with our complete guide, then explore detailed resources for specific legal topics.
Start Here: Complete Connecticut Divorce Guide
Our comprehensive guide covers the entire Connecticut divorce process from start to finish. This is where most people should begin their divorce journey.
Featured Legal Guides
Property & Financial Matters
How Is Property Divided in a Connecticut Divorce? Understanding C.G.S. 46b-81
Property & AssetsA comprehensive guide to Connecticut's property division laws under C.G.S. 46b-81. Explains the 12 factors courts consider when dividing marital assets, debts, and property in divorce cases.
Calculating Alimony in Connecticut: A Guide to the Factors in C.G.S. 46b-82
Spousal SupportA detailed guide to Connecticut's alimony laws under C.G.S. 46b-82. Explains the 17 factors courts consider when determining spousal support awards, duration, and modification requirements.
Child Custody & Parenting
The 17 'Best Interests of the Child' Factors in Connecticut Custody Cases (C.G.S. 46b-56)
Child CustodyA comprehensive analysis of the 17 'best interests of the child' factors under C.G.S. 46b-56 that Connecticut courts use to determine child custody and parenting arrangements in divorce cases.
Relocating with a Child After a Connecticut Divorce (C.G.S. 46b-56d)
Child CustodyGuide to Connecticut's child relocation laws under C.G.S. 46b-56d. Learn the legal requirements for moving with a child after divorce and the five-factor best interest test.
How to Get an Emergency Ex Parte Custody Order in Connecticut (C.G.S. 46b-56f)
Child CustodyStep-by-step guide to getting emergency custody orders in Connecticut under C.G.S. 46b-56f. Learn the legal standard for immediate danger, required affidavit contents, and emergency hearing procedures.
Grandparent and Third-Party Visitation Rights in Connecticut (C.G.S. 46b-59)
Child CustodyComplete guide to grandparent and third-party visitation rights under C.G.S. 46b-59. Learn about parent-like relationships, the substantial harm standard, and legal procedures for seeking visitation.
Child Support & Education
Connecticut Educational Support Orders: Paying for College After Divorce (C.G.S. 46b-56c)
Child SupportA comprehensive guide to Connecticut's unique educational support law (C.G.S. 46b-56c) that allows judges to order parents to pay for college after divorce. Learn about the four required legal findings, the UConn cap, and children's obligations.
Legal Foundation & Concepts
Grounds for Divorce in Connecticut: No-Fault vs. Fault-Based (C.G.S. 46b-40)
Legal FoundationComplete guide to Connecticut's divorce grounds under C.G.S. 46b-40. Learn the difference between no-fault 'irretrievable breakdown' and 10 fault-based grounds like adultery, desertion, and intolerable cruelty, and when fault may impact alimony or property division.
Understanding the CT Divorce 'Pathways' System: A Guide to § 25-50A
Legal FoundationComplete guide to Connecticut's new divorce Pathways system under Practice Book § 25-50A. Learn about Resolution Plan Dates, Family Relations Counselors, and Track A, B, C assignments.
What Happens When Your Spouse Doesn't Respond: The CT Divorce Default Process
Legal FoundationComplete guide to Connecticut's divorce default process under Practice Book § 25-51. Learn what happens when your spouse doesn't respond, required waiting periods, and default hearing procedures.
Court Procedures & Motions
How to File a Motion in a CT Divorce: Navigating the New Motion Docket (§ 25-34A)
Court ProceduresStep-by-step guide to filing motions in Connecticut family court under Practice Book § 25-34A. Learn about the new motion docket system, required forms, and pendente lite procedures.
Filing a Motion for Contempt in a CT Divorce: A Guide to § 25-27
Court ProceduresComplete guide to filing contempt motions in Connecticut family court under Practice Book § 25-27. Learn when to file, required evidence, penalties, and enforcement procedures for court order violations.
Preparing for Your CT Divorce Hearing: A Checklist of Required Filings Under § 25-30
Court ProceduresEssential checklist for Connecticut divorce hearings under Practice Book § 25-30. Learn about required filings, financial affidavits, proposed orders, and child support worksheets for court preparation.
Legal Costs & Fees
Who Pays Attorney's Fees in a Connecticut Divorce? (C.G.S. 46b-62)
Legal CostsComplete guide to attorney's fees in Connecticut divorce under C.G.S. 46b-62. Learn when courts order one spouse to pay the other's legal fees, the criteria used, and how to request fee awards.
Post-Divorce Modifications
Modifying a Connecticut Divorce Decree: Alimony and Child Support (C.G.S. 46b-86)
Post-DivorceGuide to modifying Connecticut divorce decrees under C.G.S. 46b-86. Learn the 'substantial change in circumstances' standard for alimony and child support modifications.
Connecticut Divorce Form Instructions
Court Filing Forms
JD-FM-159: Divorce Complaint
Complete guide to filling out the divorce complaint form that officially starts your case.
JD-FM-003: Summons Family Actions
Step-by-step instructions for the summons that officially notifies your spouse of the divorce.
JD-CL-012: Appearance
How to complete the appearance form that officially enters you into the court case.
JD-FM-158: Notice of Automatic Orders
Understanding the automatic restraining orders that take effect when you file for divorce.
Financial Disclosure Forms
JD-FM-006-SHORT: Financial Affidavit Short
Complete instructions for the short form financial affidavit (under $75k income/assets).
JD-FM-006-LONG: Financial Affidavit Long
Comprehensive guide to the long form financial affidavit for higher income/asset cases.
CCSG-001: Child Support Worksheet
Step-by-step guide to calculating child support using Connecticut's guidelines worksheet.
Children & Custody Forms
JD-FM-164: Affidavit Concerning Children
Required form for any divorce involving minor children in Connecticut.
JD-FM-164A: Addendum to Children Affidavit
Supplemental form for additional children information when needed.
JD-FM-284: Custody & Parenting Plan
Comprehensive 7-page form for creating your parenting plan and custody agreement.
Agreements & Relief Forms
JD-FM-172: Dissolution Agreement
Complete guide to the comprehensive settlement agreement that resolves all divorce issues.
JD-FM-175: Certificate of Compliance
Required notice form for cases involving public assistance or state benefits.
JD-FM-249: Waiver of Service
Form allowing your spouse to waive formal service by a marshal, saving time and money.
JD-FM-149: Parent Education Relief
Request relief from the mandatory parenting education program requirement.
Complete Connecticut Divorce Form Library
Our comprehensive form instruction library covers all 14 major Connecticut divorce forms with:
- • Step-by-step, field-by-field instructions
- • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- • Practical examples and real-world guidance
- • Connecticut-specific legal requirements
- • Related forms and filing sequences
- • Frequently asked questions
45,975 words of professional form instructions • 236 minutes of comprehensive guidance • All based on analysis of actual Connecticut court PDFs
Comprehensive Connecticut Divorce Resources
Our growing library now includes detailed legal guides covering the most important aspects of Connecticut divorce law, plus our complete step-by-step divorce guide:
- • Property division factors and equitable distribution principles
- • Alimony calculation, types, and modification rules
- • Complete child custody best interests analysis
- • Child relocation laws and requirements
- • Emergency custody orders and ex parte procedures
- • Grandparent and third-party visitation rights
- • Educational support orders for college expenses
- • Grounds for divorce (no-fault vs. fault-based)
- • Default divorce process when spouse doesn't respond
- • Attorney's fees and legal costs allocation
- • Post-divorce modification procedures
- • Connecticut's new court Pathways system and case management
- • How to file motions in family court and motion docket procedures
- • Contempt motions and enforcement of court orders
- • Divorce hearing preparation and required filings checklist
- • Three divorce pathways (Simplified, Agreed, Contested)
- • All required forms with step-by-step instructions
- • Financial disclosure and parenting plan guidance