Connecticut treats divorce after a short marriage differently from longer unions in several critical ways. Under C.G.S. § 46b-82, the length of marriage is one of the primary factors courts weigh when deciding alimony, and marriages lasting 2 years or fewer rarely produce spousal support awards. Connecticut requires a $350 filing fee, a 90-day waiting period under C.G.S. § 46b-67, and at least 12 months of residency under C.G.S. § 46b-44 before the court will finalize a dissolution. Because Connecticut is an all-property equitable distribution state under C.G.S. § 46b-81, even premarital assets fall within the court's reach, though short marriage duration typically leads judges to restore each spouse to their pre-marriage financial position.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $350 (as of March 2026; verify with your local clerk) |
| Waiting Period | 90 days from return date (35 days for nonadversarial) |
| Residency Requirement | 12 months before filing or before decree is entered |
| Grounds | No-fault: irretrievable breakdown (C.G.S. § 46b-40) |
| Property Division | All-property equitable distribution (C.G.S. § 46b-81) |
| Alimony Standard | Court discretion; length of marriage is a primary factor (C.G.S. § 46b-82) |
| Nonadversarial Option | Available if no minor children, limited assets (C.G.S. § 46b-44a) |
| Annulment Alternative | Void or voidable marriages only (C.G.S. § 46b-40) |
What Connecticut Law Considers a Short Marriage
Connecticut does not define "short marriage" by statute, but courts and family law practitioners generally treat any marriage lasting 5 years or fewer as short-term, with marriages of 2 years or fewer receiving the most distinct treatment. Under C.G.S. § 46b-82, the length of marriage is the first factor the court considers when deciding alimony duration and amount. A divorce after a short marriage in Connecticut typically results in minimal or no alimony, a property division that restores each spouse to their pre-marriage financial position, and a faster overall process when both parties cooperate.
Connecticut officially uses the term "dissolution of marriage" rather than "divorce," though the two terms are legally interchangeable. The distinction matters only in formal court filings. Whether you were married less than a year or up to 5 years, the same dissolution statutes apply, but the short duration of the marriage significantly influences how the court exercises its discretion on property division and spousal support. Connecticut courts have consistently held that brief marriage divorce rights do not extend to equal division of a wealthier spouse's premarital estate when the marriage contributed little to asset accumulation.
Grounds for Divorce in a Short Marriage
Connecticut grants divorce on no-fault grounds when the court finds the marriage has broken down irretrievably, as stated in C.G.S. § 46b-40(c). Neither spouse must prove wrongdoing to obtain a dissolution. Under C.G.S. § 46b-51, the court can issue the dissolution without specifying which party caused the breakdown, and neither party needs to call witnesses to testify about reasons for the failure. This privacy protection is particularly relevant for couples seeking a quick marriage divorce after a brief union.
Connecticut also permits dissolution when the parties have lived apart due to incompatibility for a continuous period of at least 18 months immediately before service of the complaint, with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation under C.G.S. § 46b-40(c)(2). For a short term marriage divorce, the 18-month separation ground is rarely practical because the separation period may exceed the length of the marriage itself. Most couples married less than a year who seek divorce in Connecticut rely on the irretrievable breakdown ground, which requires no minimum separation period.
Connecticut also recognizes several fault-based grounds under C.G.S. § 46b-40(c), including adultery, fraudulent contract, willful desertion for one year, 7 years of absence, habitual intemperance, intolerable cruelty, and confinement for mental illness. While fault grounds are available, they require proof and rarely benefit the filing spouse in a short marriage where the no-fault path is faster and less expensive.
Residency Requirements and Filing Timeline
Connecticut requires at least one spouse to have been a resident of the state for 12 months before filing or before the decree is entered, per C.G.S. § 46b-44. A spouse may file the complaint as soon as residency is established, but the court will not finalize the dissolution until the 12-month threshold is met. Active-duty military members who were Connecticut residents at the time of enlistment are deemed to have continuously resided in the state under the same statute, regardless of where they are stationed.
After filing, the standard waiting period is 90 days from the return date (the official start date of the case) under C.G.S. § 46b-67. The return date is typically set 6 days after the filing date. During this 90-day period, the court may grant temporary relief such as temporary support or exclusive use of the marital residence under C.G.S. § 46b-56 and C.G.S. § 46b-83.
For couples ending a short marriage with no children and limited assets, Connecticut offers a nonadversarial dissolution process under C.G.S. § 46b-44a that can be completed in as few as 35 days. This expedited track requires both spouses to file a joint petition, agree on all terms, and meet eligibility criteria including no minor children, no pending bankruptcy, no active restraining orders, and combined property below the statutory threshold. The nonadversarial process is often the ideal path for a divorce after a short marriage in Connecticut when both parties agree on terms.
| Divorce Path | Minimum Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Nonadversarial dissolution | 35 days | No children, limited assets, full agreement |
| Uncontested (regular docket) | 90 days + hearing | Agreement on all terms, children or assets above threshold |
| Contested dissolution | 6-18 months | Disputes over property, support, or custody |
Property Division in a Short Marriage
Connecticut is one of a small number of all-property equitable distribution states, meaning the court has authority under C.G.S. § 46b-81 to divide all assets owned by either spouse, regardless of when or how those assets were acquired. This includes premarital property, inherited assets, and gifts received by either spouse individually. Connecticut does not distinguish between marital and separate property the way most other states do.
However, the all-property designation does not mean equal division. The court considers multiple factors under C.G.S. § 46b-81(c), including the length of the marriage, the cause of the dissolution, the age and health of each party, the occupation and earning capacity of each spouse, the amount and sources of each party's income, vocational skills, employability, the estate and needs of each party, and each party's contribution to the acquisition, preservation, or appreciation of assets.
In a short term marriage divorce, length of marriage becomes the dominant factor. Connecticut courts routinely restore each spouse to their approximate pre-marriage financial position when the marriage lasted fewer than 5 years. A spouse who entered a brief marriage with $500,000 in premarital assets is unlikely to lose a significant portion of those assets to the other spouse when the marriage lasted 1-2 years and the other spouse did not contribute to their preservation or appreciation. Connecticut case law consistently holds that short marriage duration weighs heavily against redistributing premarital wealth.
Assets acquired during the marriage, even a short one, are more likely to be divided. Joint bank accounts opened after the wedding, furniture purchased together, and retirement contributions made during the marriage are all subject to equitable distribution. The shorter the marriage, the easier it is for the court to trace which assets each spouse brought in and which were accumulated jointly.
Alimony After a Brief Marriage
Alimony (called "spousal support" in practice) in Connecticut is governed by C.G.S. § 46b-82, which lists the length of the marriage as the first statutory factor. Connecticut courts have broad discretion in awarding alimony, but marriages lasting 2 years or fewer rarely produce any spousal support award. Marriages lasting 3-5 years may result in short-duration rehabilitative alimony designed to help a lower-earning spouse become self-supporting, typically lasting 1-2 years at most.
The court considers multiple factors when deciding alimony in a brief marriage divorce: the causes of the dissolution, the age and health of each party, each spouse's station, occupation, income sources, earning capacity, vocational skills, education, and employability. The court also considers the estate and needs of each party and the desirability of a custodial parent remaining in the home if children are involved.
Connecticut does not use a mathematical formula for alimony calculation. Instead, judges exercise discretion based on the totality of circumstances. In a short marriage between two employed professionals with similar incomes, alimony is almost never awarded. In a short marriage where one spouse gave up employment or relocated for the marriage, the court may award 6-12 months of transitional support to help that spouse regain financial footing.
| Marriage Duration | Typical Alimony Outcome in Connecticut |
|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Rarely awarded; court restores pre-marriage status |
| 2-5 years | Short-term rehabilitative support possible (6-24 months) |
| 5-10 years | Moderate duration; depends on income disparity |
| Over 10 years | Longer-term or indefinite support more likely |
Under C.G.S. § 46b-86, either party may seek modification of alimony if circumstances change substantially. Alimony also terminates automatically upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient spouse, unless the separation agreement specifically provides otherwise.
Annulment as an Alternative
For marriages lasting only weeks or months, annulment may be an alternative to dissolution. Under C.G.S. § 46b-40(b), an annulment is granted if the marriage is void or voidable under Connecticut law or the law of the state where the marriage was performed. Unlike dissolution, annulment declares that the marriage never legally existed.
Connecticut courts grant annulments on grounds including fraud (misrepresentation of a material fact that induced the marriage), duress or coercion, mental incapacity at the time of the ceremony, bigamy, incest, or underage marriage without required consent. The 90-day waiting period under C.G.S. § 46b-67 does not apply to annulment actions, making annulment potentially faster than dissolution.
However, annulment is not available simply because the marriage was short. A spouse who married less than a year ago and simply wants out must file for dissolution unless they can prove specific annulment grounds. The burden of proof for annulment is higher than for no-fault dissolution, and fraud must involve a material misrepresentation, not mere disappointment or incompatibility.
Children and Custody in Short Marriages
When a short marriage produces children, Connecticut applies the same custody standards as in longer marriages. Under C.G.S. § 46b-56, the court determines custody based on the best interests of the child, considering 16 statutory factors including the temperament and developmental needs of the child, each parent's ability to meet the child's needs, the child's established relationships, and each parent's willingness to facilitate a relationship with the other parent.
Child support in Connecticut follows the Child Support and Arrearage Guidelines established under C.G.S. § 46b-215a. The guidelines use an income-shares model that considers both parents' net incomes, the number of children, and the parenting time schedule. Child support obligations are independent of the marriage's duration. A parent's support obligation is identical whether the marriage lasted 6 months or 20 years.
Both parents must complete a Parenting Education Program at a cost of $125 per person when minor children are involved in a Connecticut dissolution, per C.G.S. § 46b-69b. This requirement applies regardless of whether the dissolution is contested or uncontested.
Cost Breakdown for a Short Marriage Divorce
The total cost of a divorce after a short marriage in Connecticut varies significantly based on complexity and whether the case is contested. The filing fee is $350, payable to the Connecticut Superior Court. Service of process adds $50-$100 depending on the method used and number of attempts required.
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $350 |
| Service of process | $50-$100 |
| Parenting education (if children) | $125 per parent |
| Attorney fees (uncontested) | $1,500-$5,000 |
| Attorney fees (contested) | $10,000-$50,000+ |
| Mediation (optional) | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Fee waiver available | Yes (Form JD-FM-75, income below 125% federal poverty level) |
As of March 2026, verify all court fees with your local Superior Court clerk. Short marriage dissolutions tend to cost significantly less than longer marriage cases because there are fewer assets to divide, alimony disputes are less common, and the financial entanglements are simpler to unwind. Many uncontested short marriage divorces in Connecticut are completed for $2,000-$4,000 total when both parties cooperate.
Steps to File for Divorce After a Short Marriage in Connecticut
- Confirm residency: At least one spouse must have been a Connecticut resident for 12 months before filing or before the decree is entered under C.G.S. § 46b-44.
- Choose your filing path: Determine whether you qualify for the nonadversarial process under C.G.S. § 46b-44a (no children, limited assets, full agreement) or must file on the regular family docket.
- Prepare and file the complaint: File a Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage (Form JD-FM-159) or a Joint Petition for Nonadversarial Dissolution with the Superior Court in the judicial district where either spouse resides. Pay the $350 filing fee.
- Serve your spouse: If filing a standard complaint, arrange service of process on your spouse through a state marshal ($50-$100). Nonadversarial petitions do not require service because both spouses file jointly.
- Wait for the return date: The return date is set approximately 6 days after filing. The 90-day waiting period begins on this date for regular docket cases.
- Attend required programs: Complete the Parenting Education Program ($125 per parent) if minor children are involved.
- Negotiate a settlement agreement: Reach agreement on property division, any alimony, and custody/support terms. File the agreement with the court.
- Attend the final hearing: Appear before a judge who will review your agreement, confirm the marriage has irretrievably broken down, and enter the decree of dissolution.
Protecting Premarital Assets in a Short Marriage
Because Connecticut is an all-property state, premarital assets are technically subject to division. However, several strategies help protect assets brought into a brief marriage. Prenuptial agreements executed under C.G.S. § 46b-36a through C.G.S. § 46b-36j (the Connecticut Premarital Agreement Act) are enforceable and can define which assets remain separate property. Even without a prenuptial agreement, the short duration of the marriage itself is strong evidence favoring the return of premarital assets to their original owner.
Maintaining clear documentation of premarital asset values is essential. Bank statements from the month of the wedding, investment account statements, real estate appraisals, and vehicle titles all help the court distinguish between premarital and marital accumulations. Commingling premarital funds with marital accounts weakens the argument for restoration, so keeping premarital accounts separate during a short marriage simplifies the dissolution process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a divorce in Connecticut if I was married less than a year?
Yes. Connecticut imposes no minimum marriage duration for dissolution. Under C.G.S. § 46b-40(c), you may file for divorce based on irretrievable breakdown regardless of whether the marriage lasted 1 month or 30 years. The $350 filing fee and 12-month residency requirement under C.G.S. § 46b-44 apply equally to all marriages.
How long does a short marriage divorce take in Connecticut?
A nonadversarial dissolution under C.G.S. § 46b-44a can be completed in as few as 35 days when both spouses agree and meet eligibility requirements. A standard uncontested dissolution takes a minimum of 90 days from the return date under C.G.S. § 46b-67. Contested cases involving disputes over assets or support typically take 6-18 months.
Will I have to pay alimony after a 1-year marriage in Connecticut?
Alimony after a marriage lasting 1 year or less is rare in Connecticut. Under C.G.S. § 46b-82, the court considers the length of marriage as a primary factor, and marriages of 2 years or fewer rarely produce any spousal support award. A court may order brief transitional support only if one spouse suffered significant financial harm from the marriage.
Does Connecticut divide premarital assets in a short marriage divorce?
Connecticut is an all-property equitable distribution state under C.G.S. § 46b-81, so the court has authority over all assets including premarital property. However, in a short marriage, courts typically restore each spouse to their pre-marriage financial position. Premarital assets that were not commingled are very unlikely to be awarded to the non-owning spouse after a brief marriage.
Can I get an annulment instead of a divorce in Connecticut?
Annulment is available only when the marriage is void or voidable under C.G.S. § 46b-40(b), such as cases involving fraud, duress, bigamy, or mental incapacity. Short marriage duration alone is not grounds for annulment. The advantage of annulment is that the 90-day waiting period does not apply, but the evidentiary burden is higher than for no-fault dissolution.
What is the nonadversarial dissolution process in Connecticut?
Nonadversarial dissolution under C.G.S. § 46b-44a is Connecticut's expedited divorce process for couples who agree on all terms. Both spouses file a joint petition, and the court can enter a decree in as few as 35 days without a full hearing. Eligibility requires no minor children, no pending bankruptcy, no active restraining orders, and both parties must waive service of process and trial rights.
How much does a short marriage divorce cost in Connecticut?
The court filing fee for dissolution in Connecticut is $350. Service of process adds $50-$100. Attorney fees for an uncontested short marriage divorce typically range from $1,500 to $5,000. The total cost for a cooperative dissolution of a brief marriage is commonly $2,000-$4,000. Fee waivers are available through Form JD-FM-75 for households earning below 125% of the federal poverty level.
Does the length of my marriage affect child custody decisions?
No. Connecticut determines custody based solely on the best interests of the child under C.G.S. § 46b-56, regardless of marriage duration. Child support follows the income-shares guidelines under C.G.S. § 46b-215a and is calculated based on both parents' incomes, not the length of the marriage. A parent who was married for 6 months has the same custody rights as one married for 20 years.
Can I waive the 90-day waiting period in Connecticut?
The 90-day waiting period under C.G.S. § 46b-67 applies to cases on the regular family docket. However, under Public Act 15-7, the court may waive the waiting period upon request by both parties under certain circumstances. Additionally, couples who qualify for nonadversarial dissolution under C.G.S. § 46b-44a face only a 35-day minimum timeline instead of 90 days.
What happens to wedding gifts and joint purchases in a short marriage?
Wedding gifts and joint purchases are subject to equitable distribution under C.G.S. § 46b-81. Gifts given specifically to one spouse (such as family heirlooms) may be returned to that spouse, while gifts to the couple jointly are divided equitably. Joint purchases made during the marriage, such as furniture or vehicles, are typically divided based on each spouse's financial contribution and current needs. In a short marriage, courts often take a practical approach and return items to the spouse who paid for them.