Divorce in Connecticut
Connecticut allows both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce and uses equitable distribution for dividing marital property. You can file once either spouse lives in Connecticut; the decree generally requires one spouse to have lived there for 12 months, with some exceptions. If the spouses reach a full agreement, the court can enter judgment without a waiting period; a contested trial cannot start until 90 days after the return date.
Quick Facts
Residency Requirement
12 months before filing or decree (exceptions)
Waiting Period
None if agreed; contested trial 90 days after return date
Filing Fee (approximate, varies by county)
$350-$450
Property Division
equitable distribution
Grounds for Divorce
- Irretrievable breakdown
- Incompatibility
- Adultery
- Desertion
Key Facts
- Connecticut offers both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce
- With a full agreement the court can enter judgment right away; default judgments wait at least 30 days after the return date, and a contested trial waits 90 days
- Property division follows equitable distribution principles
- One spouse must have lived in Connecticut for 12 months before filing or before the decree, unless an exception applies (for example, the grounds arose after a move to Connecticut)
- Connecticut courts can consider marital fault when dividing property
Child Custody
Connecticut courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child. The court considers factors including the child's relationship with each parent, the child's adjustment to home, school, and community, and each parent's willingness to encourage a relationship with the other.
Alimony / Spousal Support
Connecticut courts may award alimony based on the length of the marriage, each spouse's age and health, their respective incomes and earning capacities, and the causes of the divorce. Both temporary and permanent alimony are available.
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FAQs
Common questions about divorce in Connecticut
Yes. While Connecticut allows no-fault divorce, filing on fault grounds such as adultery or desertion can influence property division and alimony decisions. The court may consider marital misconduct when making financial awards.
The return date is the date written on the divorce summons, and Connecticut's time frames count from it. If the spouses reach a full agreement, the court can enter judgment even before the return date; otherwise a default judgment waits at least 30 days after it, and a contested trial cannot start until 90 days after it.