Preparing for Your CT Divorce Hearing: A Checklist of Required Filings Under § 25-30

The final hearing in your Connecticut divorce is the moment all your preparation culminates. Whether you and your spouse have reached a full agreement or are asking a judge to decide contested issues, this court date is the final step toward legally ending your marriage. However, walking into that courtroom unprepared can lead to significant delays, judicial frustration, and even financial penalties.

The Connecticut courts have a specific set of rules designed to make this final hearing as efficient and fair as possible. The most important of these is Practice Book § 25-30, which outlines exactly what documents you must file and when. Missing these deadlines isn't just a minor oversight; it can prevent the judge from finalizing your divorce.

This article serves as your definitive, deadline-driven checklist for complying with § 25-30. We will break down each required filing, explain its purpose, and provide a clear timeline to ensure you are fully prepared for your day in court.

You will learn:

The critical 5-day filing deadline and how to calculate it correctly.
A detailed breakdown of the four essential documents: the Sworn Financial Affidavit, Written Proposed Orders, the Child Support Worksheet, and the Advisement of Rights form.
Practical tips and common mistakes to avoid for each filing.
The potential consequences of failing to meet these mandatory requirements.

By following this guide, you can approach your final hearing with the confidence that your paperwork is in perfect order, allowing the judge to focus on the substance of your case and move you toward a final resolution.

Understanding Practice Book § 25-30: The Court's Pre-Hearing Rulebook

Before diving into the checklist, it’s helpful to understand why these rules exist. The Connecticut Practice Book is essentially the official rulebook for all legal proceedings in the state. It governs how lawyers and self-represented parties must conduct themselves and manage their cases.

Practice Book § 25-30 is a specific rule for family law cases, including divorce, legal separation, and custody matters. Its primary purpose is to ensure efficiency and preparedness. The court's time is limited, and a judge cannot make informed, fair, and legally sound decisions without having all the necessary financial and personal information well in advance.

Think of it this way: a judge cannot decide how to divide your property without knowing what you own and what you owe. They cannot set alimony or child support without a clear picture of each party's income and expenses. By requiring you to submit these documents beforehand, § 25-30 allows the judge to:

Review your financial situation.
Understand what you are asking the court to order.
Identify which issues are agreed upon and which are still in dispute.
Move the hearing along smoothly without having to stop and ask for basic information.

These rules apply whether your case is fully uncontested (you agree on everything) or contested (you need a judge to decide one or more issues). Compliance is not optional.

The 5-Day Deadline: Your Critical Timeline for Filing

The most crucial element of Practice Book § 25-30 is its strict timeline. The rule states that most of the required documents must be filed with the court and delivered to the other party (or their attorney) at least five (5) business days before your scheduled hearing date.

This is a point of frequent confusion and error, so let's break it down.

What are "Business Days"? Business days are Mondays through Fridays, excluding any state or federal court holidays. You do not count weekends or holidays when calculating your deadline.

How to Calculate Your Deadline: A Practical Example

Let's say your final divorce hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22nd. To find your filing deadline, you must count back five full business days:

Day 1 (before the hearing): Monday, October 21st
Day 2: Friday, October 18th
Day 3: Thursday, October 17th
Day 4: Wednesday, October 16th
Day 5: Tuesday, October 15th

In this scenario, your documents must be e-filed with the court and sent to the other party no later than the end of the business day on Tuesday, October 15th. Waiting until Wednesday the 16th would mean you missed the deadline.

Pro Tip: Do not wait until the last day. The state's e-filing system can experience technical difficulties, or you might encounter an unexpected issue. Aim to have your documents finalized and ready to file at least 7-10 days before the hearing. This buffer protects you from last-minute stress and potential non-compliance.

Your § 25-30 Filing Checklist: A Document-by-Document Breakdown

Here is the complete checklist of documents you must prepare and file to comply with the rule. We will cover each one in detail, including its purpose, key components, and common pitfalls.

1. The Sworn Financial Affidavit (Form JD-FM-6)

The Financial Affidavit is the single most important financial document in your divorce. It is a comprehensive statement, made under oath, that details your entire financial life.

What It Is: A multi-page form where you list all your weekly income, weekly expenses, assets (like real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds), and liabilities (like mortgages, car loans, credit card debt).
Why It's Required: This document is the bedrock of all financial orders. A judge legally cannot enter orders regarding property division, alimony, or child support without a current, accurate Financial Affidavit from both parties. It provides the factual basis for the court's decisions.
The Deadline: You must file an updated Financial Affidavit at least 5 business days before the hearing. The affidavit you file must be "current," which the court generally considers to be signed and dated within the last 30 days. Even if you filed one at the beginning of your case, you must file a new, updated one for the final hearing.
Answering the Question: "When to file financial affidavit CT?" You file an initial affidavit near the start of your case. Crucially, you must file an updated one no later than five business days before any hearing where financial orders will be made, including your final divorce hearing.

Choosing the Right Form:

JD-FM-6-SHORT: For individuals with a total gross annual income under $75,000 and total assets (net of debt) under $75,000.
JD-FM-6-LONG: For everyone else. If you are unsure, it is always safer to use the Long Form.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid:

Using an Old Affidavit: Filing the same affidavit you used six months ago is non-compliant. Your financial situation has likely changed.
Inaccuracies and Omissions: Intentionally or negligently misstating your income, hiding an asset, or inflating your expenses is a serious offense. You are signing this document under the penalty of perjury. Be honest and thorough.
Guessing at Numbers: Do not estimate your expenses. Sit down with your bank and credit card statements from the last 3-6 months to calculate realistic weekly averages.
Forgetting to Sign and Date: An unsigned affidavit is not valid and will be rejected by the court.

2. Written Proposed Orders

If the Financial Affidavit is the "what" (your financial facts), the Proposed Orders are the "who, what, and when" (what you want the judge to do with those facts).

What They Are: This is your formal, written request to the judge. It is a document that outlines, in specific detail, every single order you want to be included in the final divorce decree. It is your "wish list" presented in the formal language of a court order.
Why They're Required: Proposed Orders frame the issues for the judge. By comparing your proposed orders with your spouse's, the judge can instantly see what you agree on and where the disagreements lie. This allows the hearing to focus only on the contested matters. For uncontested divorces, your joint proposals form the basis of the final agreement.
The Deadline: Your CT divorce proposed orders must be filed at least 5 business days before the hearing.

What to Include in Your Proposed Orders: Your document should be structured with clear headings for each topic. Be as specific as possible.

Alimony/Spousal Support:
- Vague: "Party A pays alimony to Party B."
- Specific: "The Husband shall pay to the Wife periodic alimony in the amount of $250 per week for a non-modifiable term of seven (7) years. Payment shall be made via direct deposit each Friday and shall terminate sooner upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the Wife."
Property Division:
- Vague: "Split the house and bank accounts."
- Specific: "The marital home located at 123 Main Street, Hartford, CT shall be sold immediately. The parties shall select a mutually agreeable real estate agent within 14 days. After payment of the mortgage, taxes, and all costs of sale, the net proceeds shall be divided 60% to the Wife and 40% to the Husband. The Chase Bank checking account ending in #5678 shall be awarded solely to the Wife. The Husband shall be solely responsible for the Capital One credit card debt ending in #1234 and shall hold the Wife harmless thereon."
Child Custody & Parenting Plan:
- Detail your requests for legal custody (decision-making) and physical custody (where the children live).
- Include a specific weekly, holiday, and summer vacation parenting schedule.
Child Support:
- State the exact weekly amount, who pays whom, and how it will be paid, referencing the worksheet.
Other Issues:
- Who will provide health and dental insurance for the children?
- How will uninsured medical expenses be divided?
- Who will claim the children as dependents for tax purposes?
- Will a party be restoring a former name?

Pro Tip: The more detailed and reasonable your Proposed Orders are, the more likely a judge is to adopt them. If your proposals are well-written and supported by the facts in your Financial Affidavit, and the other party's are not, you gain a significant advantage.

3. The Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines Worksheet (Form CCSG-1)

If you and your spouse have minor children together, this document is mandatory.

What It Is: The child support guidelines worksheet CT is a standardized form used to calculate the presumptive amount of child support. It uses a mathematical formula based on both parents' net weekly incomes and the number of children.
Why It's Required: Connecticut law mandates that child support be set according to these guidelines to ensure consistency and fairness for children across the state. A judge cannot issue a child support order without a completed worksheet.
The Deadline: The worksheet must be filed at least 5 business days before the hearing. Both parties should prepare one. If you agree on the numbers, you can file a joint worksheet.
Key Components:
- Each parent's gross weekly income.
- Allowable deductions (taxes, health insurance premiums, etc.) to arrive at a net weekly income.
- The combined net weekly income.
- The presumptive support amount from the official state chart.
- Each parent's percentage share of the total income, which determines their share of unreimbursed medical/daycare costs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Math Errors: The calculations can be tricky. Use the official Child Support Calculator on the CT Judicial Branch website to check your work.
Using Gross Instead of Net Income: The formula is based on net income after specific, allowable deductions.
Forgetting to Include Costs: The worksheet has lines to account for the weekly cost of health insurance premiums and work-related daycare. Including these is critical for an accurate calculation.
Deviating Without Justification: If you are asking the judge to order a support amount that is different from the guideline amount, you must check the "Deviation" box and be prepared to explain why. Valid reasons for deviation are specific and limited (e.g., special needs of a child, shared physical custody arrangements).

4. Advisement of Rights Re: Contempt (Form JD-FM-71)

This is the simplest form on the list, but it serves a critical legal purpose.

What It Is: A one-page form where you acknowledge that you have been advised of your constitutional rights related to a motion for contempt.
Why It's Required: A divorce decree is a court order. If you violate it (e.g., by failing to pay alimony or child support), your ex-spouse can file a Motion for Contempt against you. The penalties for contempt can be severe, including fines and even jail time. This form serves as proof that you were made aware of these potential consequences and your rights in such a proceeding.
The Deadline: This is the one exception to the 5-day rule. The Advisement of Rights is typically filed on the day of the hearing. Many judges will not begin the hearing until they see that this form has been filed by both parties.
Pro Tip: Don't wait until you're standing in a busy courthouse hallway to fill this out. Download Form JD-FM-71 from the Judicial Branch website, complete it at home, and bring it with you. This saves time and reduces stress on the day of your hearing.

What Happens If You Miss the § 25-30 Deadlines?

Failing to follow the court's rules is a serious matter. A judge has several options if you or your spouse arrive at the final hearing without having filed the required documents on time.

Continuance (Postponement): The most common outcome. The judge will refuse to hear your case and will schedule a new hearing date several weeks or months in the future. This prolongs the emotional and financial strain of the divorce process.
Sanctions (Fines): The judge can order the non-compliant party to pay the other party's attorney's fees for the time wasted preparing for and attending the cancelled hearing. This can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Preclusion of Evidence: A judge has the discretion to refuse to consider any documents that were not filed on time. This means your Proposed Orders might be ignored, and the judge will only have the other party's requests to consider when making a decision.
Negative Inference: The judge may assume that your failure to file a timely and accurate Financial Affidavit is an attempt to hide information. This can severely damage your credibility and negatively impact the judge's decisions on all financial matters.

Preparing for the Hearing Day Itself: Beyond the Paperwork

Once your documents are filed, your preparation isn't quite finished. Use the final few days to prepare for the court appearance itself.

Review Everything: Carefully read your own filings and, just as importantly, the documents filed by your spouse. Make notes on where you agree and where the key disagreements are.
Organize Your Binder: Bring at least three copies of every document you filed to court: one for you, one for the judge (in case they need it), and one for the other party. Organize them in a binder with tabs for easy access.
Dress for Success: Treat your court appearance like a serious job interview. Business casual attire (slacks, a collared shirt, a blouse, a skirt) shows respect for the court and the process. Avoid jeans, t-shirts, shorts, and hats.
Practice Courtroom Etiquette: Arrive at the courthouse at least 30 minutes early. When the judge enters, you will be asked to rise. Address the judge only as "Your Honor." Be polite to the court staff, your spouse, and their attorney. Do not interrupt when someone else is speaking.
Be Ready to Testify: The judge will likely place you under oath and ask you questions. Most questions will be to confirm the information in your Financial Affidavit and to ensure you understand the terms of your agreement or proposals. Answer truthfully and directly.

Summary and Next Steps

Navigating the end of a divorce can be daunting, but ct divorce hearing preparation is manageable when you break it down into a clear checklist. By understanding and adhering to the requirements of Practice Book § 25-30, you empower yourself and show the court that you are taking the process seriously.

Remember the key takeaways:

The 5-Day Rule is Absolute: File your Financial Affidavit, Proposed Orders, and Child Support Worksheet at least five business days before the hearing.
Accuracy is Everything: Your Financial Affidavit must be current, complete, and truthful.
Specificity Wins: Your Proposed Orders should be detailed and clear, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Preparation Prevents Problems: Being organized and ready prevents delays, sanctions, and unnecessary stress.

While this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the rules, every divorce has its own unique complexities. Ensuring your documents are prepared correctly and strategically is vital to achieving a fair outcome.