How to Get a Quick Divorce in Connecticut: Fastest Path to Dissolution

The fastest way to get divorced in Connecticut is through a nonadversarial dissolution, which can be finalized in as few as 35 days from filing. This streamlined process, codified under C.G.S. § 46b-44a, allows couples who agree on all terms to file a joint petition and potentially receive their divorce decree without ever appearing in court. However, this expedited path has strict eligibility requirements—including no minor children, agreement on all financial matters, and the ability to certify your marriage is irretrievably broken.

Understanding Connecticut's Nonadversarial Dissolution

Connecticut's nonadversarial dissolution process represents the state's fastest divorce option, specifically designed for couples who have already resolved their differences and simply need the legal paperwork finalized. Unlike traditional contested divorces that can drag on for months or even years, this pathway eliminates court appearances, reduces paperwork, and condenses timelines dramatically.

The key distinction lies in the word "nonadversarial"—both spouses must be on the same page about ending the marriage and how to divide everything. There's no room for disagreement on property, debt, or any other issue. When couples achieve this level of agreement before filing, Connecticut rewards them with a remarkably efficient process that respects their time and autonomy.

This process works best for couples with straightforward situations: no children requiring custody arrangements, modest assets that can be divided by agreement, and mutual willingness to move forward. Tools like Untangle's AI consultation can help you quickly determine whether your situation qualifies for this expedited pathway.

Eligibility Requirements for the Fastest Divorce

To qualify for Connecticut's nonadversarial dissolution under C.G.S. § 46b-44a, you and your spouse must meet all of the following criteria at the time of filing:

Requirement	Details
Residency	At least one spouse must be a Connecticut resident
No Minor Children	No children under 18 from the marriage
No Pending Pregnancy	Wife cannot be pregnant at time of filing
No Ongoing Support	Neither party currently receiving state assistance
Full Agreement	Complete agreement on all financial terms
Irretrievably Broken	Both parties agree the marriage cannot be saved
No Court Appearance Needed	Both parties attest they don't need to appear

The residency requirement is often misunderstood—Connecticut doesn't impose a minimum waiting period before you can file if you're already a resident. However, if neither spouse currently resides in Connecticut, you'll need to establish residency first, which adds time to your timeline.

The financial agreement component is particularly important. Your settlement agreement must address all property division, any alimony arrangements, and the division of debts. Courts will review this agreement to ensure it's fair and equitable, so even in an uncontested divorce, your financial disclosures must be complete and accurate. The case of Lavy v. Lavy demonstrates that failing to disclose assets can result in the court later opening and reforming your judgment—essentially undoing your "quick" divorce.

The 35-Day Timeline Explained

Connecticut law establishes a minimum 30-day waiting period between filing and the disposition date for nonadversarial dissolutions. Under C.G.S. § 46b-44c, the court assigns a disposition date no less than thirty days after filing the joint petition. If no revocation notice has been filed and all paperwork is in order, the court may enter the divorce decree on that date or within five days afterward.

Here's what the timeline typically looks like:

Day	Action
Day 1	File joint petition with all required documents
Days 2-29	Waiting period (either party can revoke)
Day 30-35	Court reviews and enters decree
Day 35+	Divorce finalized

The 30-day minimum exists to give both parties time to reconsider—either spouse can file a notice of revocation at any point before the decree is entered under C.G.S. § 46b-44b. This revocation right protects against hasty decisions while still allowing those who are certain to proceed quickly.

Understanding this timeline helps you plan accordingly. If you need your divorce finalized by a specific date—for tax purposes, remarriage, or other reasons—you'll want to file at least 35-40 days in advance to account for any minor delays in court processing.

Required Documents and Forms

Filing a nonadversarial dissolution requires careful preparation of several documents. Missing or incomplete paperwork is the most common cause of delays in quick divorces. Here's what you'll need:

Core Filing Documents:

• Joint Petition for Nonadversarial Dissolution (notarized, signed by both parties)
• Settlement Agreement covering all property and financial matters
• Financial Affidavit from each party (sworn statements)
• Notice of Automatic Court Orders

Under Practice Book Rule § 25-5B, automatic orders take effect immediately when you file the joint petition. These orders prevent either spouse from selling property, canceling insurance, or making major financial changes during the brief period before your divorce is finalized.

The financial affidavit deserves special attention. Connecticut requires full financial disclosure even in uncontested cases. If your combined net income is under $75,000 and total assets are below $75,000, you can use the Short Form Financial Affidavit. This simplified form reduces your paperwork burden while still satisfying court requirements. To streamline this crucial step and ensure accuracy, tools like Untangle's financial affidavit generation can guide you through preparing your disclosures.

What If You Don't Qualify for Nonadversarial Dissolution?

If you have minor children, disagree on any terms, or don't meet other eligibility requirements, you'll need to pursue a traditional contested or uncontested divorce. While this takes longer than 35 days, you can still optimize for speed.

Traditional Uncontested Divorce Timeline: For couples who agree on everything but don't qualify for nonadversarial dissolution (typically because they have children), an uncontested divorce typically takes 90 days or longer. Under Practice Book Rule § 25-67, the court generally cannot proceed on a complaint until "the second day after which a complaint for dissolution is made returnable"—which practically means a minimum of about 90 days from filing.

The Pathways System: Connecticut courts use a case management system called "Pathways" that categorizes divorce cases by complexity. Under Practice Book Rule § 25-50A, cases are assigned to Track A (minimal court intervention), Track B (moderate complexity), or Track C (complex cases requiring significant court time). If you're seeking speed, you want Track A—achieved by having everything agreed upon before your Resolution Plan Date, which is set 30-60 days from the return date.

Contested Divorces: When spouses disagree on custody, property division, or other issues, divorces can extend 12-24 months or longer. The Natarajan v. Natarajan case illustrates how contested matters can drag through the appellate process for years. If you and your spouse have disputes, consider mediation as a faster alternative to litigation.

Steps to Get Your Connecticut Divorce as Fast as Possible

Navigating these steps efficiently can be challenging, but tools like Untangle's personalized task dashboard can break down the process into clear, manageable tasks and help track your progress.

1. Determine your eligibility - Review the nonadversarial dissolution requirements honestly. If you have any minor children or unresolved disputes, you won't qualify for the 35-day process.

2. Reach complete agreement with your spouse - Before filing anything, negotiate all terms: who gets what property, how debts will be divided, and whether either party will pay alimony. Put this in writing.

3. Gather financial documentation - Collect pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, retirement account balances, and debt statements. You'll need these for your financial affidavit.

4. Prepare your settlement agreement - Your written agreement must address every asset and debt. The court will review it under C.G.S. § 46b-66 to ensure it's fair and equitable.

5. Complete all required forms - Use tools like Untangle's automatic document generation to ensure accuracy. Errors cause delays.

6. File the joint petition - Submit your notarized joint petition, settlement agreement, financial affidavits, and filing fee to the Superior Court in the judicial district where either spouse resides.

7. Wait the required 30 days - Use this time to update beneficiary designations, review insurance policies, and prepare for your new financial situation.

8. Receive your decree - If the court finds your agreement fair and equitable, you'll receive your divorce decree within 35 days of filing.

Common Mistakes That Delay Quick Divorces

Even in nonadversarial dissolutions, certain errors can add weeks or months to your timeline:

Incomplete Financial Disclosure: Under Practice Book Rule § 25-30, you must file sworn financial statements showing current income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Omitting assets—even accidentally—can result in the court questioning your entire agreement or, as seen in Lavy v. Lavy, reopening your case after judgment.

Vague Settlement Agreements: Courts need specificity. Saying you'll "split the house equity fairly" isn't enough. Specify exact dollar amounts, who pays which debts, and precise timelines for any required actions.

Missing Signatures or Notarization: C.G.S. § 46b-44a requires the joint petition to be notarized and contain attestations under oath from both parties. One missing notary stamp means refiling.

Filing in the Wrong Court: You must file in the judicial district where at least one spouse resides. Filing elsewhere results in dismissal and starting over.

Unfair Agreements: Under C.G.S. § 46b-44d, if the court cannot determine whether your settlement is fair and equitable after reviewing it, your case gets placed on the regular docket for a hearing—adding at least 30 days to your timeline.

Costs of a Quick Connecticut Divorce

Speed doesn't necessarily mean expensive. Here's what you can expect to pay:

Cost Category	Nonadversarial	Traditional Uncontested	Contested
Court Filing Fee	~$350	~$350	~$350
Attorney Fees	$0-$1,500	$1,500-$5,000	$10,000-$50,000+
Mediation	Not needed	$500-$3,000	$1,000-$5,000
Total Typical Cost	$350-$1,500	$2,000-$8,000	$15,000-$60,000+

Many couples successfully complete nonadversarial dissolutions without attorneys, particularly when using guided platforms like Untangle that help ensure all paperwork is correct. However, if you have significant assets, complex retirement accounts, or business interests, consulting an attorney for at least a document review is worthwhile insurance.

When to Seek Professional Help

While Connecticut's nonadversarial dissolution is designed for self-representation, certain situations warrant professional guidance:

Complex Assets: If you own businesses, have stock options, hold significant retirement accounts, or own multiple properties, a brief consultation with a divorce attorney or financial advisor can prevent costly mistakes in your settlement agreement.

Uncertainty About Fairness: If you're not sure whether the proposed terms are equitable, don't rush. A lopsided agreement might be approved initially but could create financial hardship for years. The Wood v. Wood case demonstrates that courts take the fairness requirement seriously.

Spouse Pressure: If you feel rushed or pressured by your spouse to accept terms you're uncomfortable with, that's a red flag. The 30-day revocation period exists precisely because quick divorces can sometimes mean hasty decisions.

Post-Divorce Modifications: Even after your quick divorce is finalized, circumstances may change. If you later need to modify alimony or address undisclosed assets, you'll likely need legal representation for those proceedings.

Connecticut's quick divorce option offers a genuine path to efficient dissolution for couples who qualify. By understanding the requirements, preparing thoroughly, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can navigate from filing to final decree in just over a month—allowing you to close this chapter and begin your next one with minimal delay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the fastest divorce take in Connecticut?

The fastest divorce in Connecticut is a nonadversarial dissolution, which can be finalized in as few as 35 days from filing if you meet all eligibility requirements.

What is a nonadversarial dissolution in CT?

A nonadversarial dissolution is Connecticut's expedited divorce process under C.G.S. § 46b-44a that allows couples who agree on all terms to file jointly and potentially finalize their divorce without appearing in court.

Can you get a quick divorce in Connecticut with children?

No, Connecticut's fastest divorce option (nonadversarial dissolution) is only available to couples without minor children, as custody arrangements require additional court oversight.

What are the requirements for an uncontested divorce in Connecticut?

To qualify for Connecticut's nonadversarial dissolution, you must have no minor children, agree on all financial matters including property and debt division, and both certify that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

How can I avoid divorce delays in CT?

The best way to avoid divorce delays in Connecticut is to reach full agreement with your spouse on all issues before filing, which allows you to use the expedited nonadversarial dissolution process instead of a contested divorce that can take months or years.