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How Should I Prepare For A Divorce?

While there is no standard advice on how to emotionally prepare for a divorce, there are certain practical steps a person can take to prepare themselves to get through the divorce process. First, educate yourself on the court process and, considering the complexity of your case, decide whether you want to navigate the process alone or hire an attorney. If you are unsure which way to go, contact a law firm that focuses on family law, and request a consultation. Second, each party will need to account for their finances. Make a list of assets/account balances, and think through any current or anticipated liabilities and expenses. Neither party should make any unordinary financial expenditures, asset purchases, or transfers if divorce is imminent. Finally, think about what your priorities and goals are with regard to how you would like to see the marriage resolved.

How Long Does A Divorce Take In Connecticut?

While there is no guaranteed time frame for a divorce, generally parties can anticipate that the process in Connecticut will take anywhere from three months to one year. Once the divorce is filed, there is a 90-day waiting period which takes effect before the parties are expected to appear in court for what is known as the “case management date.” The length of the divorce process will depend on the parties’ ability and desire to cooperate, and the complexities of the underlying issues. If the parties agree on the terms of the divorce and have the necessary paperwork ready, they can schedule a date to appear in court any time after the 90-day waiting period to finalize the divorce. If the parties are in agreement on all issues and anxious to finalize the divorce immediately, they can ask the court to waive the 90-day waiting period and get an expedited court date.

How Does Spousal Infidelity Affect The Divorce Process?

Connecticut is known as a “no-fault” state, meaning either party can seek a divorce by merely stating that the marriage has “broken down irretrievably”, without having to prove either party was at fault. While a judge can consider facts surrounding the breakdown of the marriage in deciding how assets should be divided, whether there should be alimony, etc., typically the underlying respective fault of the parties is not given significant weight.

The same applies where the underlying cause of the breakdown is spousal infidelity. In such a case, if the parties are unable to settle their divorce in advance of the trial, a judge will hear evidence regarding claims of spousal infidelity, and depending on the nature of the case, the parties’ respective assets, and the egregiousness of the conduct, a judge may adjust aspects of the divorce judgment to account for considerations of fairness.

When Should I Have Legal Representation?

The sooner you find a legal representation, the better. The legal advice you receive can help you avoid making very costly mistakes that could be used against you in the future in a divorce proceeding. Your lawyer can help guide you to make sure you properly document any evidence that comes up to ensure it’s validity in court.

The attorneys at Dolan Divorce Lawyers have experience representing both male and female clients at all different junctures of the divorce process.  We understand that a divorce can be one of the most difficult periods of a person’s life, and we pride ourselves on providing our clients with the best possible representation during this tough time.  If you are in the process of getting divorced, or feel that your marriage has broken down beyond all hope, call Dolan Divorce Lawyers now for a no obligation consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

What Is Alimony And When Will It Be Ordered?

Alimony, also known as spousal support, is an allowance paid by one spouse to the other after the couple has divorced or legally separated. Alimony is designed to recognize the recipient spouse’s contribution to the marriage and is based on the premise that one spouse may have a continuing duty to financially support his or her former partner even after the marriage has ended. Alimony may be available to both male and female spouses depending on the situation.

Connecticut courts consider a number of different factors when determining whether to order alimony, and if so, the appropriate amount. Length of the marriage, the reason(s) for the divorce, and the health of each spouse are all taken into account when deciding questions related to alimony. Each spouse’s occupation, annual income, vocational skills and earning potential are also factors courts look to when awarding alimony.

Do I Need To Hire An Experienced Divorce Attorney?

Hiring an attorney to represent you during a divorce is advisable but not necessary. If you decide to retain a lawyer, he or she will usually take care of preparing the initial court documents and ensuring they are properly served. Your qualified divorce attorney will also provide you with sound legal advice. Important decisions regarding children, money, property and health insurance are usually decided by a judge during the divorce process, and such decisions are not easily changed.  With so much at stake, it is generally advisable to have a competent family lawyer who is looking out for your best interests.

For those who wish to represent themselves in their divorce case, the Connecticut Judicial Website www.jud.ct.gov provides detailed instructions on how to initiate divorce proceedings without an attorney.

How Do I File For Divorce In Connecticut?

The divorce process is started when a spouse or their attorney fills out a summons and a divorce complaint and has a state marshal serve these forms on the opposing spouse. Once the forms have been served on the opposing spouse, the party initiating the divorce must file these documents in the proper courthouse along with a document from the marshal certifying that the divorce forms were correctly served. The initial divorce forms must be filed in a courthouse within the judicial district where either one of the spouses resides. The courthouse where the case is filed will generally remain the courthouse where the divorce case is litigated, though there are certain exceptions to this rule.

When Should I Have Legal Representation?

The sooner you find a legal representation, the better. The legal advice you receive can help you avoid making very costly mistakes that could be used against you in the future in a divorce proceeding. Your lawyer can help guide you to make sure you properly document any evidence that comes up to ensure it’s validity in court.

The attorneys at Dolan Divorce Lawyers have experience representing both male and female clients at all different junctures of the divorce process.  We understand that a divorce can be one of the most difficult periods of a person’s life, and we pride ourselves on providing our clients with the best possible representation during this tough time.  If you are in the process of getting divorced, or feel that your marriage has broken down beyond all hope, call Dolan Divorce Lawyers now for a no obligation consultation to see if we are the right fit for you.

What Is Child Support And How Is It Calculated?

Child support should not be confused with alimony. It refers to ongoing periodic payments meant to be used for the benefit of a child rather than the benefit of the spouse. Connecticut courts are extremely serious about enforcing child support obligations among parents. Because child support is for the benefit of the child, and not the opposing spouse, child support obligations cannot be waived by either parent. If you are a parent who fails to pay child support, your wages can be withheld, your driver’s and professional licenses can be suspended, and you can even be incarcerated until you satisfy your payment obligations.

In Connecticut, child support is calculated according to the Connecticut Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines. The Guidelines use the combined income of the mother and father and number of children to set a child support amount. After child support is set, it can be later modified as the parent’s income level changes.

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