Are you thinking about filing for divorce? You’re not alone—many people get divorced every year, but just because it’s not uncommon doesn’t mean it’s easy. Divorce is a major life event that can bring about emotional, financial, and logistical challenges.
That’s why it helps to contact a West Hartford family law lawyer who can represent you throughout every step of your legal proceedings. With a West Hartford divorce lawyer by your side, you won’t have to figure out the details by yourself.
At Rich Rochlin Family Law, we have decades of combined experience representing people in situations like yours. Let us help you with residency requirements, grounds for divorce, asset division, and child custody arrangements.
Residency Requirements for Divorce in Connecticut
In Connecticut, the process of initiating a divorce is not as easy as deciding you want to get a divorce and then following through on that decision. Instead, state laws require that at least one spouse meet certain criteria regarding their residency.
In the state of Connecticut, the following must be true in order to file a divorce complaint:
- Either spouse was a resident of Connecticut for at least 12 months before 1) filing the complaint or 2) the date that the divorce decree was granted.
- At least one spouse was both domiciled in Connecticut at the time of the marriage and returned to the state with the goal of living there permanently prior to filing for divorce.
It’s also expected that the grounds for divorce occurred after at least one of the two spouses in question moved to Connecticut. These residency requirements might sound confusing, but they simply exist to make sure Connecticut courts have jurisdiction over your divorce proceedings.
Call today for a consultation with a divorce lawyer serving West Hartford (860) 357-9158
Grounds for Divorce in Connecticut
In Connecticut, you are legally allowed to file for divorce for both no–fault and fault-based reasons. In no-fault cases, the primary grounds for divorce are as follows:
- Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
- Spouses having lived apart for at least 18 months due to incompatibility
Meanwhile, fault-based grounds are also available, and they often include the following:
- Adultery
- Fraudulent contract
- Willful desertion for at least one year
- Seven years of absence with no contact
- Habitual intemperance or alcoholism
- Intolerable cruelty
- Imprisonment for certain crimes
- Matters related to mental illness
Even in no-fault cases, fault can still be considered as the court evaluates alimony, custody, and division of property. Your West Hartford divorce attorneys can help you understand if your divorce is no-fault or fault-based, depending on the details of your situation.
West Hartford Divorce Lawyer Near Me (860) 357-9158
What Your West Hartford Divorce Attorney Might Tell You About Property Division and Equitable Distribution
Connecticut upholds a principle known as “equitable distribution.” This is applied to divorce cases when dividing marital assets and debts between soon-to-be-former spouses.
It’s important to note that this does not necessarily entail that a 50/50 split will be awarded. Rather, it’s a way of splitting up assets in a manner that the court considers fair based on the following factors:
- The length of your marriage
- The causes that resulted in the breakdown of your marriage
- The age, health status, and needs of each spouse
- The income level, occupation status, and employability of each spouse
- The opportunity each spouse has for future asset acquisition and income
- The contribution each partner made to the acquisition, preservation, or appreciation in value of assets
It’s also worth noting that Connecticut is an “all-property” state. In other words, the court might decide to divide your property no matter who owns it, no matter if it was acquired before or during the marriage, and no matter whose name is currently on the title.
Click to contact our West Hartford Family Lawyers today
How Alimony Works in Connecticut Divorce Cases
Also known as spousal support, alimony is not automatic. Instead, it is decided on a case–by–case basis. There are also different types of alimony that the court may order in your case:
- Temporary alimony that is paid out during the divorce proceedings
- Rehabilitative alimony that is intended to help one spouse become self-supporting
- Lump-sum alimony that is either paid all at once or in a set number of payments
- Permanent alimony in the face of divorce from a long-term marriage
There are a number of factors that can influence the decision the court makes regarding alimony in your case:
- The duration of your marriage
- The reasons behind filing for divorce in the first place
- The age and health status of both spouses involved
- Each person’s income level, employability, and vocational skills
- The needs of each party
- Each person’s contribution to the household and financial status
Complete a Case Evaluation form now
Reach Out to Our Divorce Law Firm in West Hartford Today for More Information About How We Can Help You
Going through a divorce is rarely easy. It’s a life-altering process that can bring up a lot of emotion. It can also affect nearly every aspect of your life, ranging from your home and finances to your children and their future.
If you’re either thinking about filing for divorce or already in the process of doing so, it’s normal to feel uncertain or overwhelmed by everything that’s at stake. However, you’re not alone in this. At Rich Rochlin Family Law, we understand how personal this process can be.
That’s why our team of West Hartford divorce lawyers wants to help you through every stage of this transition with clarity and confidence. Reach out to our West Hartford divorce law firm today. We can help you protect your interests and move forward with peace of mind.
Let us help navigate your family legal matters schedule your consultation now.
