Divorce Law in Connecticut
How to Find a Connecticut Divorce Attorney
Although Connecticut has one of the lowest divorce rates in the country, it doesn’t feel like it if you’re the one going through it. However, if you are considering divorce, you are certainly not alone.
The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.
~Aristotle
- Thousands of Connecticut residents go through divorce each year.
- You have friends and family who love you (Probably more than you realize.)
- Qualified therapists provide emotional support and guidance during and after divorce.
- Qualified divorce attorneys provide legal guidance and support during divorce.
If you are considering divorce or looking for a Connecticut divorce attorney, this article is for you. We’ll review:
- Connecticut specific divorce law requirements;
- What you need to know about divorce; and
- Whether it’s in your best interest to hire a Connecticut divorce lawyer and, if so, how to find one and how to prepare to work with him or her.
Connecticut Divorce Law Specifics
This section nutshells the basics of Connecticut divorce law.
- There are residency requirements for filing for divorce in Connecticut.
- Divorce may be filed based upon either “no-fault” or “fault” grounds.
- Connecticut uses the terms, “plaintiff” to refer to the spouse who initially filed the divorce papers and “defendant” for the other spouse.
- In Connecticut, divorce papers are filed in the Superior Court.
- In some cases, alimony is available.
- In Connecticut property distribution will be based upon what’s “equitable” (i.e. fair) and child support will be based upon the Income Shares Model.
What You Need to Know About Divorce in Connecticut
It’s natural to fear being alone. Many people enter divorce with the desire to get support, keep legal fees to a minimum, reduce stress, and protect their future as well as their children’s future.
Here’s a guide to accomplish all those things.
- Know that you’re not alone and take advantage of the support of friends, family, a trained therapist, and a qualified divorce attorney.
You may not realize it at first, but you can create quite a team around you. There are even support groups for similarly situated people available.
- Hire a divorce lawyer who will cooperate and collaborate with your spouse’s lawyer.
- Cooperate and collaborate. Let these two words be the foundation for all divorce-related decision-making.
- In divorce, no spouse gets all of what he or she wants. Know that you will absolutely have to compromise.
Is it in Your Best Interests to Work with a Connecticut Divorce Lawyer?
Yes. Divorce is not a legal path to walk alone. If you waive any marital rights, they are waived forever.
Even Connecticut attorneys, who go through divorce, hire their own divorce lawyers. They realize that they don’t know everything about divorce law and that they are not objective about their family situation.
How to Find and Select a Connecticut Divorce Attorney
Google makes it easy to find a list of lawyers. Just enter “How to Find a Connecticut Divorce Attorney” into your search engine.
Once you’ve found several Connecticut attorneys, who focus their practice on family law and divorce law, then narrow down your list.
- Always ask whatever questions you have about legal fees and court costs, the process, what to expect, communications, and timing.
- Ask how the attorneys approach the process. Are they willing to work cooperatively? Or will they instigate fighting and push you into court?
- Select the attorney with whom you are most comfortable.
How to Prepare to Work with Your Divorce Attorney
When you’re getting ready to work with your divorce lawyer, following these tips will help you to move forward.
- Determine whether reconciliation efforts have been exhausted.
- Consult with a therapist or psychologist, who specializes in helping people going through divorce.
- Make a list of questions and concerns to address with your divorce attorney.
- Collect information that your attorney has requested or suggested may be helpful.
- Draft a list of current and expected future expenses, income, liabilities, and assets.
- Make a “wish list” (e.g. finances, living arrangements, and child related matters) of what you want to happen in the divorce. Prioritize the list.
Connecticut is one of the few truly progressive states in that it legalized gay marriage as of November 12, 2008; therefore, Connecticut divorce laws apply to both hetero and homosexual marriages alike.
The best way to mend a broken heart is time and girlfriends.
~Gwyneth Paltrow
