Divorce Law Basics in the State of Connecticut

Also See: Connecticut Marriage Laws

Statute: Connecticut State Divorce Code (Title 46b, Chapter 815j): cga.ct.gov

No-Fault Grounds:

• Irretrievable breakdown

• The parties have lived apart because of incompatibility for at least eighteen months prior to filing

At-Fault Grounds:

• Adultery
• Fraud
• Wilful desertion and neglect of duty for one year prior to filing
• Absence of seven years prior to filing and absent spouse has not made contact
• Habitual intemperance
• Intolerable cruelty
• Life imprisonment
• Commission of any infamous crime involving a violation of conjugal duty and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year
• Legal confinement in a mental hospital or institution for at least five of the previous six years prior to filing

Residency:

1. Either party has been a resident for at least twelve months prior to filing; or
2. Either party was a resident at the time of marriage and has returned with the intent to stay; or
3. The cause of divorce arose after either party moved to the state

Legal Separation Recognized? Yes

Counseling Requirements: The court may order parents to complete an educational program when a minor child is involved.

Property Distribution : Connecticut relies on “equitable distribution” so the court will distribute the marital property “in an equitable manner” if the parties can’t agree on their own. The court may also order property to be sold to a third party to carry out the equitable distribution.

Alimony : Alimony may be awarded to either party and is at the discretion of the judge and fault may be considered in the award.