Connecticut Divorce: What You Need to Know

Divorce is the legal process that ends a marriage, and every state has its unique regulations. In Connecticut, it is referred to as the dissolution of marriage and is processed by the Superior Court in the Judicial District where one of the spouses lives. To grasp how divorce works in the state, it is important to understand the waiting period, the different types of divorce, the court procedures, county-specific filing rules, and the methods for locating divorce records.

How Does Divorce Work in Connecticut?

To file for divorce in Connecticut, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirements. This means that one of them must live in the state for 12 months before the divorce can be granted or must have lived in Connecticut at the time of the marriage and returned with the intention to stay.

Connecticut operates under a no-fault divorce system. The most common ground for divorce is that the marriage has “broken down irretrievably.” Nevertheless, the state still allows for fault-based divorces, where one spouse claims misconduct like adultery, fraud, willful desertion, cruel treatment, habitual intemperance, or imprisonment. These fault-based reasons can affect decisions regarding alimony and property.

Furthermore, there is a 90-day waiting period from the date of filing before a divorce can be finalized. Nonetheless, this waiting period can sometimes be waived in uncontested cases where both spouses agree and file a joint petition.

An uncontested divorce, which is a case where both parties agree on property, custody, and support, can move relatively quickly once the waiting period is over. A contested divorce, where disputes remain, may take months or longer and is often followed by hearings, mediation, and sometimes trial.

Types of Divorce in Connecticut

Connecticut recognizes several approaches to divorce such as:

• Uncontested divorce: This process is faster and requires fewer court appearances because both spouses agree on all issues.
• Contested divorce: In this case, there are disagreements over property division, child custody, or support. This usually needs hearings and may go to trial.
• No-fault divorce: This is the most common type, where the marriage is considered irretrievably broken.
• Fault-based divorce: In this case, either spouse must prove reasons like cheating, abuse, and abandonment. While it is not required, having a fault can influence how property is divided and alimony is rewarded.
• Nonadversarial (simplified) divorce: Connecticut offers a simpler process for couples who meet certain criteria, like being married for less than nine years, having no children, not owning real property, and having limited assets and debts. This case may be finalized without appearing in court.
• Legal separation: Connecticut also recognizes legal separation, which does not end the marriage but allows spouses to live apart with court-approved arrangements for custody, property, and support.

Connecticut Divorce Court Process and Forms

In Connecticut, divorces are filed in the Superior Court for the Judicial District where either spouse resides. The process begins when one spouse, the plaintiff, files a Divorce Complaint (Dissolution of Marriage) along with a Summons and a Notice of Automatic Court Orders form. These orders prevent either spouse from moving children or transferring property during the case.

After filing, the other spouse (the defendant) must be served with the papers by a state marshal or proper officer. Usually, the defendant has 30 days to reply.

Then, both spouses must exchange financial affidavits that detail their income, assets, debts, and expenses. If children are involved, a parenting plan needs to be submitted, and both parents must complete a Parenting Education Program before any custody orders can be finalized.

In uncontested cases, spouses may submit a written separation agreement to the court. Nonetheless, in contested cases, hearings are held, and judges may require mediation or case management conferences to settle conflicts.

The divorce is officially finalized when the judge signs the Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) Judgment. This document sets out custody, property, alimony, and child support arrangements.

City- and County-Level Filing Details

In Connecticut, divorces are processed in the Superior Court at the county (Judicial District) level. Below are filing details and addresses of the Superior Courts in some of the state’s largest cities:

• Hartford Superior Court (Hartford):
  • Courthouse: Hartford Judicial District, 95 Washington Street, Hartford, CT 06106.
  • Services: Self-help forms and instructions are available online on their website. In addition, parenting education programs are required for divorce cases with children.
• New Haven Superior Court (New Haven):
  • Courthouse: New Haven Judicial District, 235 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510.
  • Services: through the court’s website, petitioners can find court forms online.
• Fairfield Superior Court (Bridgeport):
  • Courthouse: Fairfield Judicial District at Bridgeport, 1061 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604.
  • Services: This court offers a simplified divorce process to eligible couples.
• New London Superior Court (New London):
  • Courthouse: New London Judicial District, 70 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320.
  • Services: Through the state’s judicial branch website, this court provides e-services like electronic filing and short calendar markings.
• Middlesex Superior Court (Middletown):
  • Courthouse: Middlesex Judicial District, 1 Court Street, Middletown, CT 06457.
  • Services: Clerk’s office provides filing instructions for self-represented litigants.

Each courthouse has self-help resources, but requirements can differ, so it is recommended to check with the local clerk’s office before filing.

How to Search for Divorce Records in Connecticut

Divorce records in Connecticut are generally public, though sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and financial account details are kept confidential. These records are held by the Superior Court Clerk’s Office in the Judicial District where the divorce was finalized.

You can access Connecticut divorce records in a few ways such as:

• At the courthouse: You can request regular copies directly from the Clerk’s Office. It may cost a small fee to obtain certified copies of divorce judgments.
• Online: Connecticut has a Case Lookup system on the Judicial Branch website, where you can search for divorce case information by party name or case number.
• Third-party services: Some private websites can help you access divorce records, but the Superior Court remains the official source for official documents.

Divorce records usually include the names of both spouses, the date and county of divorce, the case number, and the court’s final orders on custody, support, property, and alimony. The Dissolution of Marriage Judgment is the key document that proves that a marriage has ended.

Key Points

• Divorce in Connecticut is called a dissolution of marriage and is filed in the Superior Court of the Judicial District where either spouse resides.
• To file, one spouse must meet a 12-month residency requirement, unless specific exceptions apply.
• Connecticut is a no-fault state, though anyone can still file for a fault-based divorce if needed.
• A 90-day waiting period applies, but it can sometimes be waived in uncontested or nonadversarial cases.
• Parents must attend a parenting education program if children are involved.
• Divorce records are public and available from the Superior Court Clerk, with statewide case lookup available online.