Has your divorce been finalized, and now you’re wondering whether you can go back and change the terms of your divorce agreement? I’m Matt Dolan of Dolan Divorce Lawyers, the largest family law firm in Connecticut. In this article, I’ll explain which parts of a Connecticut divorce agreement you can modify—and which parts are final and cannot be changed. Understanding what is modifiable under Connecticut divorce law is critical if your circumstances have changed since your divorce was finalized.
Under Connecticut law, certain aspects of a divorce judgment can be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. These typically include:
Let’s break these down and see how you are allowed to modify the orders.
In Connecticut divorce agreements, child custody and parenting plans are always modifiable if there has been a substantial change in circumstances affecting the best interests of the child. Importantly, Connecticut courts will not enforce a provision that says custody is “non-modifiable.”
Common reasons to modify a parenting plan include:
If the current arrangement no longer serves the child’s best interests, you can file a motion to modify custody or parenting time.
Child support can also be modified in Connecticut divorce orders based on a substantial change in circumstances, but what qualifies as a substantial change?
Typically, there must be at least a 15% change in the child support guideline amount. For example, if the current order is $200 per week, a 15% change equals $30, so the new guideline amount would need to be more than $230 or less than $170 per week.
Common reasons for modification include:
In Connecticut, child support generally ends when a child turns 18. However, if the child is still in high school at age 18, support continues until graduation or age 19—whichever happens first. When one child ages out, that alone can justify filing a motion to modify child support.
Most Connecticut divorce judgments require each parent to pay a percentage of child-related expenses, which can be modified. These include:
If financial circumstances change substantially, you may request a modification of each parent’s percentage responsibility.
Health insurance is typically addressed within child support orders. Modification may be appropriate if:
If the parties cannot agree on an adjustment to their Connecticut divorce orders, a motion can be filed asking the court to modify the existing health insurance orders.
Alimony is often modifiable—but it depends on the language in your Connecticut divorce agreement. Common reasons for alimony modification include:
Most divorce judgments state that alimony is modifiable as to amount but non-modifiable as to term. This means you usually cannot change how long alimony lasts, but you may be able to change the amount if there has been a substantial change in circumstances.
Connecticut law also allows alimony modification if the recipient cohabitates with another person in a way that alters their financial circumstances—unless the agreement specifically makes alimony non-modifiable due to cohabitation.
Sometimes alimony is expressly designated as non-modifiable as to both term and amount. If that is the case, the court cannot change it. Additionally, if both parties waived alimony in the divorce agreement, you cannot later ask the court to award alimony.
Not everything can be changed after your Connecticut divorce orders are finalized. The division of assets and debts—also known as the property settlement—is final and binding. You generally cannot modify:
Even if the agreement later feels unfair, it cannot be modified. The only potential exception is if there was fraud, a mutual mistake, or a failure to disclose assets. In that situation, you would need to file a motion to open the judgment—not a motion to modify.
If you believe your circumstances qualify as a substantial change under Connecticut law, the proper procedure is to file a Motion for Modification with the court.
Because modification law can be technical—especially when interpreting “non-modifiable” language—it is important to consult an experienced Connecticut divorce attorney.
If your financial situation, parenting schedule, or other circumstances have changed since your divorce was finalized, you may have the right to seek a modification.
At Dolan Divorce Lawyers, the largest family law firm in Connecticut, our team focuses exclusively on divorce and family law matters. We regularly handle post-judgment modification cases involving custody, child support, and alimony throughout the state.
If you have questions about modifying your divorce agreement in Connecticut, contact our office to discuss your situation and determine your options.
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